Opera Colorado has joined the big boys – at least temporarily.
The company managed to persuade renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves to squeeze its production of “Carmen” between those at two of the country’s largest and most respected opera companies, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Her engagement was an extraordinary coup for the fast-rising Denver opera and a terrific way to mark its first production in the new $92 million Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
When the mezzo-soprano stepped on stage Thursday evening for the production’s opening performance, it was instantly clear why she has attained a place in the top rung of international opera singers.
Of course, she has a first-rate voice, but she possesses something far more important: star power – a combination of pulchritude, personality and presence that immediately makes all eyes focus on her.
And that kind of electric appeal is perfect for the role of Carmen, a Spanish gypsy who thrives on being the center of attention and having her way with men.
Graves has sung this character scores of times, and her experience was evident. She does not so much perform Carmen as inhabit her, exuding sensuality and conveying the gypsy’s seductive playfulness with accomplished ease.
Even if Graves was perhaps not at her very best Thursday, it was impossible not be impressed by her slightly tawny, powerful, full-bodied voice. She handled all of Carmen’s famous vocal showpieces with élan.
Director James Robinson subtly shifted the emphasis in this production to Don José, whose obsession with Carmen causes his life to spiral out of control and leads him to murder her in a final, brutal act of possession.
Robinson carefully balanced the story’s volatile protagonist and alluring antagonist, giving each due attention on stage and simultaneously making the story more coherent and compelling.
Australian-born tenor Julian Gavin more than held his own opposite Graves as Don José, delivering some of the finest singing of the evening. Not a natural actor like Graves, he nonetheless managed to imbue the character with depth and believability.
Bass David Pittsinger turned in a strong performance as Escamillo, Don José’s self-assured rival, but soprano Pamela Armstrong was underwhelming as Micäela. Also deserving note were tenor Daniel Fosha and baritone Dean Thoma as smugglers and the first-rate chorus.
Conductor Stephen Lord did his usual effective job in the pit, adroitly managing the show’s pace and bringing out the best from the Colorado Symphony musicians.
“Carmen” was meant to be a celebration of the glories of the Caulkins Opera House, but Thursday evening raised as many questions about the theater’s acoustics as it answered.
The clarity seems sure. From the front of the mezzanine, it was possible to hear every word of dialogue with no trouble and nearly every sung phrase, though a few of the performers in minor roles did not have enough power to fill the room.
In question is the theater’s resonance. The sound sometimes comes across as a bit plain or inert – not as dynamic, vibrant or rich as it seems listeners have a right to expect in this vaunted facility.
Particularly worrying in this regard was the sound of the pit orchestra, which seemed thin at times even though it consists of 57 players. Usually the complaint is about pit orchestras overwhelming the singers, but that was never the case Thursday evening.
Any firm conclusions about acoustics cannot be made in one hearing or even several hearings. It will take months. At the same time, the sound will no doubt shift, and, let us hope, improve as the performers become more familiar with the theater’s acoustics.
Opera Colorado is presenting eight performances of “Carmen,” twice its usual number, with two casts. A second cast headed by mezzo-soprano Beth Clayton and tenor Donald Kaasch will perform the work at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Fine arts critic Kyle MacMillan can be reached at 303-820-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com.
“Carmen”
OPERA|Opera Colorado, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets; Denyce Graves as Carmen, 7:30 tonight and Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday; Beth Clayton as Carmen, 7:30 p.m. Saturday|$22-$157|303-357-2787 or operacolorado.org.
