Annabel Arden’s likeable production of Donizetti’s warm-hearted comedy started life on the Glyndebourne Tour in 2007 and here enters the festival proper. It can be warmly welcomed. Though Lez Brotherston’s otherwise traditional set looks as if half of it went missing on the way from the warehouse, what Arden does is to take the comedy seriously, allowing us a deeper engagement than usual with the shy peasant Nemorino and his initially one-sided affair with the sophisticated Adina, which only blossoms into full romance late in the day. It is a beautifully achieved piece of work.
Outstanding too at this performance was the contribution of Spanish soprano Ainhoa Garmendia, who had flown in on the morning of the performance to take over from an ailing colleague in the leading role of Adina. Never less than confident in her singing or her acting, she meshed perfectly with her colleagues and the staging in an entirely remarkable piece of professionalism and savoir faire, saving the show with style.
She is amongst a fine company. Peter Auty’s Nemorino is world-class in his vocal accomplishment and touching presentation of the character’s plight. Alfredo Daza sounds exactly the right notes of God’s gift to women bumptiousness and fundamental decency with his good-looking, healthy sounding Sergeant Belcore. Luciano Di Pasquale hits the spot as the fake potion seller Dulcamara, bringing colour and vivacity to his every appearance. The chorus are marvellous. Maurizio Benini maintains lively music-making in the pit.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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