E-mail to a friend Find tickets

The Daughter of the Regiment

Published Wednesday 22 November 2006 at 11:55 by Jon Holliday

For their fourth production, Swansea City Opera chose that frolicsome comedy of the bel canto repertoire, The Daughter of the Regiment. And it is easy to appreciate why it continues to be one of the most popular of Donizetti’s 75 works for the stage.

Full of gentle fun and warm-hearted sentimentality, this intimate staging is consistently well sung and acted by principals and chorus alike.

Director Andrew Gallacher imaginatively plumps for a cartoon style of presentation, with the two settings by Gary McCann, the costumes and hats designed by Gabriella Ingram, and even the props, showing the influence of comic strip art.

As Marie, Christina Haldane is as much a constant delight in her skittish characterisation as in the impressive dazzle of her coloratura. James Scarlett combines well with her as a suitably dashing Tonio. Brendan Wheatley is in fine voice in the pivotal role of Sergeant Sulpice. With his commanding stage presence he exploits to the full the comedic potential, not least with some broad touches.

Jeanette Ager is sniffily snobbish as the Marquise, while Aris Nadirian as her steward Hortensio is outrageously camp. Supporting roles are taken by Stephanie Collins as the overbearing Duchess and Damian Carter as a corporal.

The new English translation by Bridget Gill is clear and direct and, this being a chamber production, not a word or joke is lost. With the Swansea City Opera orchestra under the direction of Philip Sunderland, The Daughter tours to 30 venues across Wales, England and the Isle of Man until March 31.

E-mail to a friend Find tickets