Opera Atelier's strengths reinforced with Monteverdi

By John Gilks, 20 April 2018

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“Krešimir Špicer sang stylishly... but with a steely reserve of power”

Reviewed at Elgin Theatre, Toronto on 19 April 2018

Monteverdi, Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses to his Country), SV 325

Opera Atelier Toronto

Marshall Pynkoski, Director

Gerard Gauci, Set Designer

Michael Legouffe, Costume Designer

Krešimir Špicer, Ulisse

Mireille Lebel, Penelope

Christopher Enns, Telemaco

Kevin D Skelton, Giove

Carla Huhtanen, La Fortuna, Melanto

Isaiah Bell, Eurimaco

Meghan Lindsay, Minerva

Aaron Sheehan, Eumete

Michael Taylor, Pisandro

Douglas Williams, Antinoo

Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, Choreography

Opera Atelier's long delayed La resurrezione

John Gilks, 6th April

The young Handel's homage to Counter Reformation Rome, La resurrezione, is effectively brought to life by Opera Atelier with glittering sets and fine, stylish singing.

****1

A celebration of French Baroque opera-ballet at Versailles

Laura Servidei, 2nd December

Opera Atelier presents a double bill at the Royal Opera in Versailles filled with Baroque dancing, scenery and music.

***11

High-concept Handel can't obscure spectacular singing

Catherine Kustanczy, 23rd October

Opera Atelier’s latest production mixes traditional-specific touches the company is known for, and more high-concept inclusions. The results are mixed — but the singing is spectacular.

**111

Beauty triumphs in Opera Atelier's Persée

Catherine Kustanczy, 26th April

With sumptuous design, delightful choreography, and exceptional musicality, Opera Atelier’s Persée is a feast for the eyes and ears.

****1

The Magic Flute as great musical comedy from Opera Atelier in Toronto

James Karas, 6th April

Opera Atelier espouses truth in advertising: The Magic Flute, they tell us, is a Singspiel in two acts. You can call it a play with songs, a musical comedy, even an operetta, but hardly an opera in the traditional sense. Call it what you will, this is Opera Atelier’s fourth production of the work in the last 22 years.

***11

Opera Atelier leaps into the Romantic era with a spectacular Freischütz in Toronto

James Karas, 27th October

Opera Atelier has made its reputation as a producer of 17th- and 18th-century operas for more than a quarter of a century, based at the elegant Elgin Theatre in Toronto since 2000. This year it has made a leap into another era and another century with a gorgeous production of Carl Maria von Weber’s Der Freischütz.

****1

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John Gilks

John trained as a mathematician before working all over the world in management consulting. He’s now settled in downtown Toronto as an e-health strategy consultant. His operatric interests are eclectic but lean to the very early and very modern. He is also passionate about art song. His writings can be found in Opera Canada magazine and in his blog. He is owned by a small, grey cat called Jane.

Opera Atelier's strengths reinforced with Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria