[“The
premiere of Coleridge-Taylor 'Thelma' in Croydon, with (l. to r.)
Rhonda Browne (Gudrun), Alberto Sousa (Eric), Joanna Weeks (Thelma)
and Hakan Vramsmo (Carl)” (Photo: OPERA Magazine)]
Sergio
Mims writes:
“I've sent you the review from OPERA Magazine of
that recent performance of Coleridge-Taylor's opera Thelma.”
AfriClassical
presents a brief excerpt from the review, including a photo of the
cast on stage:
OPERA Magazine
April 2012
John Allison
“Surrey Opera at the
Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon, February 11
“Cowell's
production was sensibly straightforward and kept the action (even the
amateur chorus) moving in Bridget Kimak's naturalistic designs, and
her stage – dominated by a wintry, bent-back tree like something
out of a Segantini painting, and a giant, upturned helmet -suggested
a rocky shore. Joanna Weeks gave a committed account of the title
role: the rivals for Thelma's hand were sung by Alberto Sousa as Eric
(whose clear, clean tenor was the best voice of the evening) voice of
the evening and Hakan Vramsmo as Carl, and there was solid support
from Rhonda Browne (Gudrun, Thelma's companion), Oliver Hunt (the
evil, snuff-pushing Djaevelen) and Tim Baldwin (King Olaf). A good
standard has been set for future productions, with the Pegasus Opera
Company due to follow in the autumn.”
[Samuel
Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) is featured at AfriClassical.com. Major observances of
the Centennial of his death are underway and are the work of
organizations including the Samuel
Coleridge-Taylor Foundation, http://www.sctf.org.uk]
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