The Queen’s Student Opera Company Presents ‘Pagliacci’ by Ruggero Leoncavallo, February 2008

Wow. I am actually blown away. I haven’t been this blown away by a show for a looooooong time. In fact, I had just succumbed to the (apparently false) conclusion that Ontario was simply incapable of good theatre of any kind. This coupled with my previous experience of student opera being relegated to that of a few perfunctory and pretentious grad-student productions at the University of Alberta, my expectations were on the low to nonexistent side when I walked through the doors of Duncan Auditorium tonight. But I walked out thoroughly and totally impressed by QSOC’s finely-tuned, spirited, and downright professional production of Pagliacci. The voices, while certainly ‘young’, were powerful enough to really give strength to the climactic notes of the opera, and I was especially impressed by the enthusiasm of the chorus singers – who fairly drew me right into the scene on several occassions! Adam Bishop gave a seasoned and gripping performance as Canio, where Geoffrey Sirett provided his Silvio character with a steady, strong bass full of meticulous concentration. Sarah Angus was a beautiful and mezmerizing Nedda (despite occassionally falling out of her operatic signature), and Dylan Hayden was loveable/hateable as the baffoon, Tonio. The direction was seemless – I mean, honestly; so refreshing to see an opera in which the singers can actually act and aren’t afraid of moving around the stage a bit. The technical processes were nearly flawless – save for the moment at which Nedda and Silvio kissed and their microphones accidentally rubbed against each other, making it sound like one of them had farted indiscreetly (sort of ruined that moment!). Rage, revenge, unrequited love, and sinners wearing the faces of clowns really made for a Saturday evening very well spent.

Rating: