The Metropolitan Opera revives Macbeth.
by Paul Pelkonen
Thomas Hampson and Nadja Michael discuss dinner plans for King Duncan.
Photo by Marty Sohl © 2012 The Metropolitan Opera.
The Metropolitan Opera's recent hot streak continued Thursday night with the return of Verdi's Macbeth. This revival of Adrian Noble's stark 2007 show featured two debuts, making for an evening of bloody good Shakespeare.
This was American baritone Thomas Hampson's first New York run in the title role, a demanding part that lies just a wee shade heavy for his smooth, pliant instrument. He is intelligent, uncommonly musical singer. This was not a perfect performance, but it was an interesting one. Mr. Hampson pushed the limits of his voice here. His voice fades in the low notes, which was particularly noticeable in the Act III scene with the Witches. However, he recovered to deliver a strong Act IV monolog and a final scene that made one long for the opera's original (1847) ending.
Opposite him was German soprano Nadja Michael in her house debut as Lady Macbeth. Mr. Hampson and Ms. Michael have played the Macbeths before, notably at Covent Garden. They play Shakespeare's ambitious Laird and Lady as an old married couple, whose blood-drenched quest for the Scottish throne presents a welcome alternative to haggling over haggis.
Lady Macbeth is not a long part. However, it is demanding, with whispered passages, muttered oaths, a soaring brindisi and moments of sheer, lung-busting power. Ms. Michael brought her 'A' game, starting with the Letter Scene. She brought steely determination to the central acts, egging on Mr. Hampson, singing with power where a lesser soprano would have screamed.
But that was all appetizer for the main course: the Sleep-walking Scene in Act IV. Here was a performance where Verdi's music expertly underpinned the translated Shakespearean text. Ms. Michael opened the door into the unworldly mind of the mad Lady M., hissing out "Va il tico maladetto" and floating the last notes of the scene with impressive technique.
Tenor Dimitri Pittas made one wish that Macduff was a bigger part with his Act IV aria mourning his murdered children. But his voice vanished after that scena into some ugly sounds. Gunther Groissbock was a bluff Banquo who was more dramatically interesting as a ghost. The choristers were solid as the Witches, the Murderers (though the "Murderers Chorus" is Verdian overkill.) They also delivered a tight "Patria oppressa", an effective 19th century protest song.
Conductor Gianandrea Noseda showed his skill and experience, leading the revised 1861 version of the score minus the ballet. He chose fast tempos that had the orchestra moving briskly through Verdi's dark Scottish landscape. Mr. Noseda conjured the dark forces of the Witches scenes effectively, and brought off the complicated finale with panache.
Mark Thompson's set: soaring black columns, a fieldstone disk stage and background of trees scream of New Bayreuth. Goofy modern touches remain: Scottish warriors armed with AK-47s, IKEA furniture, and drop-down light fixtures. The Witches are a gaggle of society ladies, with lit flashlights in their clutch purses. Are they supposed to represent the donors who funded this show?
