Lucrezia Borgia

English Touring Opera return to the Sheffield Lyceum with one of Donizetti’s most celebrated works, Lucrezia Borgia, an opera which is a tragedy of great pathos. Donizetti created in Lucrezia one of his greatest roles – she is renowned as one of history’s most infamous poisoners, a cunning strategist whilst at the same time a loving mother. Overall, a complex woman who one crosses at their peril. The piece is an Italian period drama of intrigue, mystery and murder set against a beautiful bel cano score and is based upon the play Lucrezia Borgia, penned by Victor Hugo.

This touring production is necessarily lean in regard to set design and staging but more than makes up for this by the sheer quality of the voices and music. Sung in Italian the audience have the benefit of screens with subtitles which certainly aid the understanding of the plot.

At the performance I saw, the role of Lucrezia was taken by Katherine McIndoe, standing in for Paula Sides due to illness. Katherine more than ably did justice to the role accepting that she had large shoes to fill. Equally impressive was Thomas Elwin who took the part of Gennaro, Lucrezia’s secret son. Kate Coventry as Orsini, also played a convincing role as did Aidan Edwards as Alfonso, the Duke and Lucrezia’s husband. The voices of Lucrezia and Orsini blended beautifully with that of Gennaro as they each sang their respective duets.

All the vocalists are well supported by the period-instrument players of the Old Street Band, who sound both mellow and melodic and, I imagine, as was intended by Donizetti when the piece was first produced in 1833. All credit to the musical conductor, Gerry Cornelius.

Whilst the Eloise Lally’s direction is simple and the sets designed by Adam Wiltshire set the overall ambience of the piece with the wrought iron gates, stained glass and burning torches, perhaps a small chorus would have added to the overall production to promote a sense of the public versus the private scenes.

Similarly, I was more than confused by the setting of the party in the final act where the party goers including Gennaro are poisoned and eventually die.

All in all, a very enjoyable production and evening’s entertainment.