While a full-fledged production, with sets, costumes and other trappings, obviously remains the best way to experience the inherently theatrical medium of opera, a concert version is hardly a letdown.
That point was reinforced Friday evening when Opera Colorado presented Richard Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” in just such a format — the orchestra and chorus on stage at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and the six singers arrayed along the front.
This approach allowed the audience to focus on Wagner’s music and use its imagination to envision this mythic story of a damned seaman who can only be redeemed by the love of a woman faithful unto death.
Put simply, it was a superb performance. Opera Colorado assembled a first-rate cast led in the title role by bass-baritone James Morris, one of the great Wagnerian singers of our time. He commanded the stage every time he opened his mouth.
Morris was in excellent form, his voice sounding full and resonant, with a rich range of tonal colors up and down his range and phrasing that was consistently infused with feeling and nuance.
While he could, of course, deliver all the force needed in the big moments, what was perhaps less expected was his ability to be so emotionally expressive in quieter, more subdued sections, such as his soft yet riveting entrance in Act 1.
To balance Morris, Opera Colorado needed someone in the role of Senta who could match his presence and vocal power, and it found just such a singer in soprano Hasmik Papian, the star of its 2006 production of “Norma.”
She was impressive with her strong, agile, full-bodied voice. The only small negative was her over-reliance on the printed score (used by all but one of the singers), which did not allow her to be as free and expressive as she might otherwise have been.
Also deserving note were tenor Stuart Skelton, effective as Erik, and Stephen Costello, a promising young tenor who made the most of the small role of the steersman.
The Colorado Symphony played well under conductor Stephen Lord, but, without a proper concert shell, its sound seemed distant and thin.
“The Flying Dutchman” will be repeated at 2 p.m. today.
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
