The Scottish Opera’s The Verdi Collection is a veritable triumph. On the stage of Usher Hall, heartbreak, danger, love, passion, jealousy, and valor come alive through the form of beautiful music. The collection is meticulously selected, presenting the audience with a wonderful array of the Italian composer’s works — my eyes hardly ever left the stage. Giuseppe Verdi undoubtedly deserves to be celebrated, and the Scottish Opera phenomenally honours his legacy.
The star of the night is Lester Lynch, an incredible baritone making his Scottish Opera debut. From his role as Rodrigo in Don Carlo to Germont in La Traviata, he certainly shines as a standout. Lynch’s deep and reverberating voice boasts exceptional control, volume, and emotional intensity. Furthermore, Eri Nakamura, the Scottish Opera’s talented soprano, is also astounding. Her role as Leonora in La Forza del Destino is particularly affecting, ending in her character’s tragic death. (Moreover, I adored her gorgeous, elegant dresses.)
The experience of going to the opera is always amazing, but there is something special about this production. The collection feels grand, expansive, and transports you from place to place. From the first sung note, I was captivated; the voices filled the hall, sending shivers through the length of my body. Beginning with Nakamura’s heartrending performance of Desdemona, a wife troubled by Othello’s concerning behaviour, I was immersed into the array of stories and dramas.
The orchestra must not be forgotten. The wonderful instrumentalists are the backbone of the entire production — and being able to clearly see them on stage adds a fun, unique element to the opera. One of my favourite moments of the night was the orchestra’s sensuous performance of the slow waltz of Summer, a ballet within Les Vepres Siciliennes.
The night ends with the famous drinking song from Verdi’s La Traviata, a brindisi that is boastfully beautiful and triumphant. With a melody so well known and familiar, the brindisi is easy to dance and sing along with. It is a splendid way to end The Verdi Collection, and I left the Usher Hall with a skip in my step and a high one can only get from mesmerising music. For established opera lovers and for those new to opera, The Verdi Collection is a delectable taster of Verdi’s extraordinary works.
Image ‘Eri Nakamura and Lester Lynch in The Verdi Collection.-Scottish Opera 2023’ photographed by Sally Jubb provided via Press Release