Page 390 - Liverpool Philharmonic 22-23 Season Coverage Book

The reason for the almost capacity audience in the Philharmonic Hall, however, was the
presence of Sir Bryn Terfel in a performance of Gianni Schicchi in the second half, a
collaboration between the orchestra and the European Opera Centre. The EOC is based in
Liverpool and provides opportunities for young singers from Europe and beyond. They have
collaborated with the RLPO a number of times in recent years and today they rose to the
challenge of working with a fine orchestra, conductor, director and an established star
singer.

This was no mere concert performance. Bernard Rozet directed a taut and very funny
drama, played out in the space in front of the RLPO. A square of carpet, some chairs and a
few props (including a dead body) were all that was needed to evoke the house of the late
Buoso Donati whose relatives are desperate to benefit from the old man’s fortune. The
characters of varied ages were differentiated by costume rather than by trying to make
young performers look old, so Simone wore a suit and tie whereas Rinuccio was dressed in
t-shirt and jeans. And the acting was superb. The family members were clearly individual
but they moved as one at key moments of the action. For an opera where it is so necessary
to follow the details of the plot, it was good to have such witty surtitles (by Lydia French)
projected clearly above the stage. The audience was gripped and entertained. With a
staging like this, the performance in no way felt inferior to a full production in the opera
house. Being able to see the orchestra as well as the singers added an extra visual
dimension to the show.

Soloists from the European Opera Centre
© Mark McNulty
Terfel’s commanding stage presence and acting prowess, along with his resonant, powerful
voice, made it easy to see why Gianni Schicchi has become one of his signature roles. He
embodied the cunning trickster, his impersonation of the dead Buoso being a highlight.