Oberto, the Count of St Boniface, visits Toronto for the first time (as far as anyone knows), thanks to Tryptych Concert & Opera. It presents Giuseppe Verdi’s first opera at Trinity Presbyterian Church (Bayview and the 401) Saturday and Sunday.
- Classical Music 101: What Does A Conductor Do? - June 17, 2019
- Classical Music 101 | What Does Period Instrument Mean? - May 6, 2019
- CLASSICAL MUSIC 101 | What Does It Mean To Be In Tune? - April 23, 2019
Artistic director Edward Franko has adapted the staging — premiered at La Scala exactly 174 years ago Saturday night — for the newly renovated, 125-seat West Theatre at Trinity Presbyterian. (The performance will include projected subtitles.)
The singing cast is decent. A piano takes the place of the orchestra. Best of all, this is an opportunity to hear Verdi’s youthful aesthetic (he was 26 when Oberto had its premiere) — more akin to bel canto opera than the verismo style we associate with him.
Oberto is not a great opera, but this is a great chance for diehard opera fans to see something rare during this year, which marks the 200th anniversary of Verdi’s birth.
Here is the final scene of the opera, set in the 13th century, from a 1980 broadcast on Spanish television:
You’ll find all the details of TrypTych’s show here.
John Terauds
- Classical Music 101: What Does A Conductor Do? - June 17, 2019
- Classical Music 101 | What Does Period Instrument Mean? - May 6, 2019
- CLASSICAL MUSIC 101 | What Does It Mean To Be In Tune? - April 23, 2019
