San Francisco Opera - Partenope
a fizzy, free-associative delight
S.F. Gate
Why see San Francisco Opera - Partenope?
A Welcome return
Christoper Alden's stylish production of Handel's outstanding romantic comedy returns to the War Memorial Opera House for the 2023/24 season. Once again transporting the action from ancient Naples to the modish Paris of the Jazz Age, as inspired by the work of Man Ray. Julie Fuchs makes her San Francisco Opera debut as the titular Partenope, alongside her suitors: Daniela Mack as Rosmira, Carlo Vistoli as Arsace, Nicholas Tamanga as Armindo and Alek Shrader as Emilio.
What is the story of Partenope?
In 1920s Paris, the Queen Partenope is now re-imagined as a successful salon owner, who is wooed by three different suitors. One of these suitors, Arsace jilted his lover Rosmira in order to pursue the glamorous Parisian; however, Rosmira isn't determined to lose him to another woman that easily. So, naturally, she disguises herself as a man and joins the pursuit of Partenope alongside her former lover and two others in the hope of winning him back. Of course, with another horse in the race, affairs of the heart are just about to get that more complicated...
In all versions of this comic Handel work, the focus remains on its use of soaring arias and wonderful ensemble singing, especially with the comedic quartet in the third act, something unusual for a Handel Opera.
Key Information
Audience
Sung in Italian with English supertitles
Run Time
Three hours and 30 minutes with two intermissions
Dates
Finished Jun 28
Reviews
Customer reviews
2 reviews, average rating: (4.5 Stars)
Esther Wanning
Slight reservations
Mostly great-- the singers were almost uniformly terrific, managing very difficult coloratura roles while rolling backwards down stairs, climbing out windows, and jauntily dancing. So physically excellent, handsome, and well-dressed (too bad you can't say this for the audience). The counter tenors were superb. My one reservation was for Julie Fuchs, the soprano and lead, whose voice I found uneven, hoarse, and occasionally almost screechy. Perhaps it was just an off night for her as other reviewers have praised her highly. Her skill in singing this incredibly difficult role is undeniable; all those impossible runs and trills were expertly executed. The mezzo, who turned out to be a woman playing a man, was wonderful, and I originally thought she was a counter-tenor playing a woman. It was a confusing plot for those who came unprepared.
The Man-Ray photographer /mask business made no sense at all to me. Sometimes enough is enough, and there was plenty. I could also do without a toilet mid-stage. It is opera after all. We like a bit of suspension of disbelief. ... Read more
Aida
Partenope
I haven't enjoyed an opera this much in a long time, and I do see many, operas. I loved everything about it! The entire production, the singers were superb, (especially the countertenors, with Arsace being the most magnificent singer of the countertenors). The only drawback was the 3 1/2 hours. In length it almost rivaled Wagner Ring operas. I did not see the opera at the opera house because I live in WA State. I viewed it live streamed. ... Read more
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