Cambrian Hall Welsh Society

This review is for the Opera Pro Cantanti performance of Verdi’s «Macbeth» on Sep 30, 2012.
My friend and I enjoyed the bare-​bones but thoughtful presentation of Verdi’s masterpiece, especially the towering Macbeth (Andrew Greenwood) — his voice was amazing and more than filled the small performance space. One could really believe that his personality was big enough to be Macbeth, for real … so why only three stars?
That brings us to the bad news. Lady Macbeth. Not because she is an evil character, but because her singing was ear-​splitting. In a bad way. I did not like the tone quality, the unpredictable phrasing, the horrific pronunciation of Italian, the erratic timing, or the very very very wrong pitches. Nor did I enjoy the fluttering eyelids that more or less approximated seizure activity. It was nearly unbearable, and really a drag since the rest of the production was quite fabulous, for the price.
When she initially came on-​stage, I could not help noticing her tailor-​made costume in contrast with the homemade costumes of the other performers (each is responsible for his or her own), and I immediately concluded that she must have more money available for this pursuit than the other singers. Then she started singing, and I thought it was a joke and she could not possibly be the soloist, and when I realized it was going to continue thus, I surmised that perhaps she was participating as a soloist only because she financed the operation (why else allow someone to sing like that for such a huge portion of the performance?).
Sure enough, a perusal of the program during the first intermission (it was a LONG opera with two intermissions, and alas, her character did not die until almost the very end) showed her name listed at the top of the list of financial supporters. Why, if she can afford to be the first person listed as a patron (not in alpha order), does she not invest in a singing coach? Nearly every one of her failings is curable with appropriate coaching. I understand that Opera Pro Cantanti means Opera «for the singers,» and that the audience is merely an added bonus for this company, but can the other singers really be deaf to that singing? It can’t be something they enjoy.
Perhaps this singer only performs once in a blue moon (no mention of her in other reviews here), and we just got unlucky on our particular night, but I’ll be checking to see if she is singing before going to Opera Pro Cantanti again — which I will, as long as I don’t have to sit through such an experience again. And to think, I paid money for that …
October Challenge ⁶⁄₃₁

I recently learned about a little secret operation called Opera Pro Cantanti (well, it’s not secret, but why didn’t I know about it earlier??) This hall is where the performances take place. The program is run by amateur actors and singers. The shows are made with minimal props, since all the materials and costumes are created, sewn or donated by performers and sponsors. This is the only repertory opera company in Canada, but the performances are world-​class. At the last opera, Macbeth, the lead singer works normally as a firefighter. I imagine he must have a lot of passion and emotion to channel into his character.
It’s much more intimate for an opera setting and it’s less flashy, but I’ve been to a few underwhelming performances at the Elizabeth theatre — financial backing does not always mean the show will be good. I really think more people should learn about this place and support the amazing work and talent being showcased.
Shows are weekly and are about $ 12 – 18.
Read all the other rave reviews here:

So many interesting things are created in Vancouver… I am finally finding out about them.