Review: TOSCA at the Aotea Centre

NBR New Zealand Opera has been going from strength to strength over recent years, and this latest production of Tosca is no exception.

Cleverly set during the Cold War era of Italy during the 1950s, this production stars two internationally famous New Zealanders, the tenor Simon O'Neill and the baritone Phillip Rhodes, who are joined by the Irish soprano Orla Boylan in the title role.

First performed in 1900, Tosca tells the story of two lovers, the painter Mario Cavaradossi and leading soprano Floria Tosca. The political prisoner Cesare Angelotti has escaped from prison and is being pursued by Baron Scarpia, the corrupt and feared chief of police. Recognising Angelotti, Cavaradossi aids him in avoiding arrest, hiding him in a secret passage in the well near his villa. Scarpia, who lusts for Tosca manipulates her into implicating Cavaradossi in the escape and has him arrested and tortured. He then uses this to try and force Tosca to respond to his advances.

Simon O'Neill has been enjoying a stellar international career overseas, including principal roles at the Metropolitan Opera, The Royal Opera Covent Garden, La Scala, Bayreuth and the Salzburg Festival, as well as in major international concert performances. In Tosca he plays the young painter Cavaradossi, a role he studied with Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti. His voice is gloriously rich and penetrating, and the energy and struggle he brings to the character is right on point. Here we get to enjoy the great heldentenor singing a more lyric role, something he describes as being 'a joy to sing ...like Italian olive oil on the vocal chords.'

Phillip Rhodes's performance as Baron Scarpia is excellent, brimming with malice and a thug-like authoritative control. He has a wonderful voice and was an excellent casting choice, able to stand alongside the powerful O'Neill. His portrayal perfectly captures that dark quality of corrupted people in power at the top, who can outwardly keep a calm and almost civilised manner, whilst simultaneously being the most ruthless and inhumane monsters imaginable.

Orla Boylan will be familiar to New Zealand audiences having played Senta in the 2013 NBR New Zealand Opera production of Richard Wagner's The Flying Dutchman. She has a wonderful and full voice of much beauty, with an exquisite technical control. Dramatically she does not quite capture the multifaceted nuances of the young and naive Tosca, perhaps playing her too much like the heroic Germanic heroines she is accustomed to. However, her pleading with Scarpia in the second act is heartfelt and moving, as is her sensitivity in the aria 'Vissi d'arte'.

The setting of Cold War era Italy works exceptionally well for Tosca because the political atmosphere there at that time was extremely corrupt and violent, an environment which allowed people like Scarpia to flourish as they became a law unto themselves. The large sets by Jan Ubels are extremely imposing, and when reinforced by the lighting design by Jason Morphett allow for an almost film-noir look that underpins the power and control of Scarpia. This feeling is also picked up in the stylishly chic and historically accurate costume designs by Elizabeth Whiting. The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra under the baton of Tobias Ringborg was wonderfully polished and clear, though perhaps just a touch too loud on occasion.

Also of note were New Zealand tenor James Benjamin Rodgers as Spoletta, the Australian bass James Clayton as Angelotti and New Zealand baritone Barry Mora as a Sacristan. Each of their characters were played with a sensitive conviction and sense of purpose as the drama unfolded. The chorus at the end of act one is always a highlight of any Tosca production and they were in excellent form, delivering an electrifying 'Te Deum' that had the hairs on the back of my neck prickling with excitement.

Tosca is one of Puccini's most famous operas and has a wonderfully dramatic plot with some of the most memorable characters in Opera. It is a pleasure to hear Simon O'Neill back in this country, and Phillip Rhodes and Orla Boylan are both excellent. The soaring melodies of Puccini combined with such a thrilling plot make for a great night at the opera, perfect for first-timers and for the returning fans who have been watching this company raise the bar ever higher.

Tosca is on in Auckland from September 17-27 at the ASB Theatre in the Aotea Centre, and in Welington from October 10-17 at the St James Theatre.

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