Colin Ainsworth Rules
We went to see Orphee et Eurydice at Opera Atelier yesterday. Let me start by quoting from today's reviews of the show. First, from the Toronto Star:
This is a seamless blend of excellent singing, vibrant orchestral accompaniment, graceful ballet and inventive staging – and an over-the-top finale.
...
There are only three singers onstage during the three acts. All were in excellent form.
Tenor Colin Ainsworth is Orpheus incarnate, his high, lyric voice doing justice to the difficult vocal role. His magnetic stage presence was the ideal embodiment of a romantic lead.
Then from the Globe and Mail:
Central to any staging of the Orpheus myth - especially Gluck's 1774 version, created for the greatest tenor in Paris - is a character who must literally sing his way in and out of Hell. Happily, Opera Atelier has a firm foundation for its production in Colin Ainsworth. This young Canadian tenor proved himself entirely equal to the taxing role of Orpheus: in the aria Amour viens rendre à mon âme - a fiendishly difficult vocal marathon - he displayed a rock-solid technique, excellent diction, and a virile tone.
I hate ballet and I enjoyed all the dancing, and all the other ornamentation. But if I ever saw a one-man show, this show was Colin Ainsworth's. It is fair to say he was superbly supported but this show was his to make or break. And did he ever make it!
"Authentic" or not, appropriately costumed or not, this production was utterly wonderful. Gluck's music was a revelation to me too - you can hear the early classic in so much of it, and enjoy its wonderful drama.
Next year's program, featuring lead baritones and bass baritones, looks as if it may not feature Colin Ainsworth. I will miss him, but I have a lot of trust in those who run Opera Atelier to guarantee that we will be entranced and entertained by both the coming productions, as we were by this year's.
By the way - I, a long complainer about excessive standing ovations in Toronto theatre, joined in a standing ovation, and the numerous curtain calls, entirely directed on my part at Ainsworth's indefatigable and superb performance. I hope we can keep him performing regularly in Toronto!
Thanks yet again to Opera Atelier. Go and be surprised!
Labels: Colin Ainsworth Opera Atelier Baroque
posted by Alan Adamson @ 5:54 PM
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