“Pacific Opera Victoria’s Die Walküre nothing short of spectacular”
This Die Walküre will yank you into it’s strange, glittering, unearthly world and never let you go, writes arts critic Adrian Chamberlain.
Mark Delavan as Wotan – Allyson McHardy as Fricka
Some excerpts from Adrian’s Times Colonist review…
“Do not be intimated. This Die Walküre will yank you into its strange, glittering, unearthly world and never let you go. So take that power nap beforehand. And yes, if you must, pre-order a cheese plate to nibble at intermissions (you can actually do this). Just make sure you go.
Why? Well, Die Walküre’s got it all. Vain and deceitful gods at battle. Lustful twins declaring their non-platonic love. Swords fall out of the sky, drugged cocktails are swigged, warrior maidens gallop gleefully and flames flicker fitfully around sleeping beauties.
This is a feisty, imaginative production with a strong cast who on Thursday night successfully melded Wagnerian heft with a welcome sensitivity and humanity. The action moved with leisurely deliberation and yet — despite the length — the performance was never ponderous or boring.”
“On opening night there was drama off-stage as well as on. Staging operas from the Ring Cycle has been a long-time ambition of conductor Timothy Vernon (the driving force behind POV’s Das Rheingold in 2014). Unfortunately Vernon injured his back shortly before the performance. So, at short notice, associate conductor Giuseppe “Joey” Pietraroia stepped in — very ably.”
“Mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy, a potent Fricka, combined a lush sound with impressive acting chops.”