Disappointment in ‘Rigoletto,’ Review

I wish to differ with Times music critic Dan Cariaga in his appraisal of the cast in the “Rigoletto” performance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center (“N.Y. Company Opens Visit to Orange County With ‘Rigoletto,’ ” Calendar, Jan. 19).

I was there Jan. 17, and I felt the production lacked the bite, the intensity and the compelling urgency that makes for high drama. I do not share Cariaga’s opinion that the orchestra played carefully and in admirable balance with the stage. On the contrary, under the baton of Scott Bergeson, I felt the orchestral reading was generally lethargic with constant tempo switches causing the singers all sorts of problems. Verdi’s marvelous score was the loser here, for real driving force was missing.

As to the singers, I’d disagree with the Cariaga appraisal of Jon Garrison as an artist who dominated the proceedings. Garrison had both pitch and projection problems in the higher reaches of the register, being comfortable only in the middle zone. There were, in fact, strident yelps on occasion around B-flat. I didn’t find any of (Faith) Esham’s singing colorless as Gilda. I believe she has the potential for a solid future; there’s an overall warmth and plentitude of thrust to her singing, although her mastery of coloratura pyrotechnics would not erase memories of Lily Pons’ many Gildas at the old Shrine in Los Angeles.

The opera focuses upon Rigoletto, and Cariaga referred to him as “healthy sounding.” I felt, however, that Pablo Elvira in the role provided us with merely a “cameo” of the jester. The baritone works within restricted projection limits and the subtleties and nuances, the acting skills of great Rigolettos were not evidenced by him in the many juicy opportunities provided by the marvelous Verdi score. No fear of shades of Leonard Warren here!

To say that the evening was the occasion of some strong singing simply was at variance with the audible facts. Vibrant Verdi sounds were in short supply, although any Verdi is cause for rejoicing. Let’s hope for a Verdi Festival in the near future--perhaps at Segerstrom.

FRANK R. WYNNE

Los Alamitos