22nd February 2012
Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
Louis Langrée conductor
Michael Schade Titus
Alice Coote Sextus
Rosa Feola Servilia
Malin Hartelius Vitellia
Christina Daletska Annius
Brindley Sheratt Publius
An opera in two acts
If, like me, you have no idea of the story, here's the synopsis
Act 1
The father of the Emperor Titus has usurped the throne of the
father of Princess Vitellia; she, in love with both the Emperor
and the idea of regaining the throne as his consort (in the
place of the ‘barbarian’ Berenice, daughter of King Agrippa
of Judaea), seeks vengeance. She appeals to Titus’s close
friend Sextus to avenge her. He, as Vitellia well knows, is
infatuated with her. Sextus’s choice is agonisingly simple:
gain the woman he adores, and murder not only his friend
but a great and generous monarch; or remain loyal to the
Emperor, and lose Vitellia. Sextus decides to obey Vitellia’s
command: she emphasises that she wants Titus dead before
the setting of the sun. But, with love for Titus fighting for
space in his heart with infatuation with Vitellia, Sextus finds
himself shilly-shallying.
The Emperor Titus makes a grand entry, and declares his
love for his friends, Romans and countrymen by announcing
an aid package for the victims of a recent eruption of
Vesuvius. Time is flying, and Vitellia is losing patience with
Sextus. But, just as Sextus runs off to obey her, and to set the
Capitol ablaze, Vitellia learns that Titus has not only been
deserted by Berenice, but has foregone his new idea of
marrying Sextus’s sister Servilia instead. She’s at last in for
a chance. Imagine her panic! How can she stop Sextus?
Her guilt, terror and anger ignite the flame-lit finale to the first
act.
Act 2
The act opens with the discovery that, miraculously, Titus is
still alive. Sextus has stabbed a poor fellow called Lentulus in
error – and what follows is a showdown between Titus and
Sextus as they start the process of self-examination to try and
live with what has happened. Titus is frustrated that Sextus
won’t explain himself; he is, of course, covering for Vitellia.
Titus sends for the guards: Sextus is to be thrown to the lions.
Sextus makes a final plea. And Titus reflects that he cannot
do violence to the dictates of his heart. Let my friend live, he
cries – and let me be accused only of mercy. If a hard heart
is required by the Empire, then take the Empire from me – or
give me another heart.
At this point, Vitellia realises with horror just how loyal Sextus
has been to her – and how her cruelty has made him a
criminal. She must tell Titus all, and forego marriage to him.
All that lies ahead for her is death and horror. It remains only
for all to be revealed, and for all to be pardoned. Titus will
not let Fate tempt him to kill even Vitellia. In the closing Sextet
and Chorus, the clemency of Titus is celebrated, and the
eternal gods invoked to watch over the Emperor and the
happiness of Rome.
And here's a link to a copy of the libretto - English translation - a great read to get closer to the story
http://www.impresario.ch/libretto/libmozcle_e.htm
and immerse oneself in the fabulous lyrics
Another first for me - loving all of this so much - La Clemenza di Tito performed in concert format (only seen one opera before performed in this way and that was Der Freischutz at last years' BBC Proms and that was fantastic!).
When I originally booked my ticket for this months and months ago Elina Garanca was scheduled to play the part of Sextus, can't pretend I wasn't a little disappointed but not in the least surprised when I heard she had cancelled having so recently given birth back in October last year, but felt sure that her replacement, Alice Coote would put in a great performance having seen her play Prince Charming in Royal Opera House production of Cendrillon last year.
I confess that having looked at the names of the rest of the singers taking part and not knowing any of them lead to a little apprehension on my part, until the music and singing started and I found myself absolutely carried away on a tidal wave of blissful music and absolutely incredible, beautiful singing from every single member of the cast. I would just love to re-live every single moment here, truly - yes it was that good, my words just cannot match the incredible beauty that I witnessed, and no superlatives can fully do justice to the performances of every single member of that cast - an absolute delight. If I could grab a train and go see it again right away I surely would.
First up
Alice Coote just has to get a very special mention, her singing was just out of this world - and as she sang this to Vitellia - Act II Scene 4 - as Publius comes to take him to Tito
"If ever you feel a light breeze
playing on your face,
that breath will be
my dying sighs."
I could feel my heartstrings being very tightly pulled here, as Sextus sings this to the seemingly ungrateful Vitellia, as he faces the prospect of death having plotted and thought he had carried out the deed of killing Titus on her behalf - aaahhhh, the things you do for love, eh!
Not a story to over-tax one, but frequent pulling of the heartstrings, oh yes for in Act I (a quick rewind here), the singing here between Annius -
Christina Daletska was a fabulous fabulous Annius - and Servilia, who are blissfully in love, was simply lovely as he breaks the news to her that Titus wishes her for his wife and that he, Annius must give her up - sorry just had to grab the libretto extract here ....
ACT I
FIFTH SCENE
Annius, Servilia
Recitative
ANNIUS
I must not regret it. This was the duty
of a generous lover. My heart, put aside
your former tenderness: she who was your idol
is your sovereign. Love must change to respect.
Here she is. O heaven!
She has never seemed so lovely to my eyes.
SERVILIA
My dearest ...
ANNIUS
Hush, Servilia. Now it is forbidden
to call me so.
SERVILIA
Why?
ANNIUS
Caesar has chosen you
(what martyrdom!) to be his bride.
He enjoined me (I feel close to death!)
to bring you the tidings (O agony!), and I ...
I was ... (I cannot speak). My Empress, farewell!
SERVILIA
What! Wait! I Caesar's bride?
But why?
ANNIUS
Because he could not find
beauty and virtue
more worthy of an Empire ... O heavens!
What shall I say? Permit me, my Empress,
to take my leave.
SERVILIA
Will you leave me in such confusion?
Explain: tell me,
how did it happen? In what way?
ANNIUS
I am lost unless I go, beloved.
....... you think that's it, oh noooooooooo, for then they break into this incredible duet - stunning stunning stunning
No. 7- Duet
ANNIUS
Ah, forgive, my former love,
that thoughtless word;
it was the fault of lips
accustomed always to call you so.
SERVILIA
Ah, you were the first person
whom I ever truly loved;
and you will be the last
to be sheltered in my heart.
ANNIUS
Dear words of my beloved!
SERVILIA
O my sweet, dear hope!
SERVILIA and ANNIUS
The more I hear your words,
the greater grows my passion.
When one soul unites with another,
what joy a heart feels!
Ah, eliminate from life
all that is not love!
...... wipes eyes, no it's just something in my eye, honest.
More than worthy of a mention also was tenor
Michael Schade as Titus, particularly in Act II as he sings that his heart will not let him see Sextus killed for his betrayal, but before that, I must rewind (yet again-apologies for the jumping about) to Act I where we saw some lovely singing between him and Servilla - Rosa Feola (soprano) as he tells her he wants her for his wife and she confesses to him that her heart belongs to another, Annius.
Yes, a thoroughly enjoyable evening that left me more entertained than I had ever expected to be, and I am sure by now you realise I could go on and wax lyrical here forever, but time is precious for you and me - so many more momentous pieces I would love to relate, but risking overkill will stop here. No sorry, just must add a short word of appreciation for conductor
Louis Langree, who bound orchestra and singers together perfectly ......... aaaaand must also just say I found with the concert format it seems to make you concentrate even more intently of the great music and beautiful singing - a definite plus on this occasion being of the high quality that it was. I'm done here, honest! (But don't count on it - I may just have to sneak back with more)
