Royal Festival Hall, 2 December 2012

A packed Royal Festival Hall indulged itself in a matinee Merry Widow that more than lived up to expectation. It is surprising, given the continuing popularity of the work, that it is not a basic component of any of our major opera companies.

What made the afternoon slide by so easily was the new narration written and performed by Simon Butteriss. A consummate performer in his own right, his story telling was done in character which provided a bridge between the action and the audience without the constant need to step in and out of character. Added to which it was witty and pointed without being over contemporary in its allusions.

This might have carried the afternoon by itself but the singing was universally high, with Claudia Boyle’s Widow more glamorous than one might hope for, and a voice which found no problems with the often high tessitura. Daniel Prohaska was somewhat too smooth as Danilo and one would not give much hope to their relationship surviving for very long, despite the warmth of the waltzes. Alan Opie was a delight as Count Zeta, allowing things to pass under his nose without letting it upset his enjoyment of life. As the young, would-be, lovers Sarah Tynan and Nicholas Sharratt brought some needed tension to the story and hinted at the relationship which Lehar was to explore in The Land of Smiles.

The Philharmonia Orchestra and Voices under John Wilson were in fine form. How good it is to hear Lehar with a full orchestra and chorus, rather than the more conventional pit bands of the amateur circuit. John Wilson has an increasingly secure reputation for mounting operetta and musicals with quality forces, and in doing so demonstrating the quality of the works which is too easily overlooked. Hopefully there will be more like this. BH