2 hours ago
2
OPERA
Katya Kabanova ★★★★★
Victorian Opera, Palais Theatre, until October 15
Czech composer Leos Janacek suffered a long obsession with a four-decades-younger married woman. His passion was entirely unrequited, but music lovers got incalculable benefits as Kamila Stosslova inspired a string of compositions, including Katya Kabanova – one of the great but rarely performed operas of the 20th century.
Desiree Frahn and Andrew Goodwin in a scene from Katya Kabanova.Credit: Jeff Busby
It is the story of a young wife who endures a bullying mother-in-law and a weak husband under the thumb of his mother.
Victoria Opera’s production scored at every turn, with a splendid Australian cast, ingenious and creative production, and daring and clever use of live black and white video throughout on a full-stage screen. Not least was the Australian National Academy of Music orchestra’s extraordinary playing, sensitively and effectively led by Alexander Briger (nephew of one of the finest Janacek conductors ever, Charles Mackerras).
The singers had to act superbly because they were near-constantly several times life-size on the screen. Soprano Desiree Frahn was simply stellar in every respect as Katya, while Antoinette Halloran as the malevolent mother looked as though she were born to the role (if that is, in fact, a compliment!), a mesmeric presence. Emily Edmonds was a delightful Varvara and all the men were accomplished – especially Andrew Goodwin as Boris and Adrian Tamburini as Dikoj – although this opera is really a vehicle for the women.
Loading
The staging was occasionally obscure – for example, there were sometimes up to six other silent Katyas on stage. I’ve no idea what this signified – possibly the incoherent thoughts rushing through her brain as her mental state unravelled. Director Heather Fairbairn was adventurous, courageous and persuasive. Credit too to set and costume designer Savanna Wegman and video designer Robert Brown, whose video, with two camera operators on stage, was mostly highly effective. Amusingly, when Katya was having sex offstage, the video briefly turned to colour.
This Katya deserves five stars for its energy, originality and general excellence, not to mention Victorian Opera’s vision in staging it.
Reviewed by Barney Zwartz
The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.
