Michael Fabiano’s original Werther has star quality
American tenor Michael Fabiano’s bravura performance in Opera Australia’s current production of Massenet’s Werther underlines his reputation as the coming superstar.
Wentworth Courier
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Apart from the quality of the music, most operas stand or fall on the abilities, or otherwise, of the lead tenor and soprano. This applies both vocally and dramatically.
So the choice of American tenor Michael Fabiano in this production was an inspired one: his voice soaring effortlessly in the high spots, impeccably clear in the mid-tones and lingering softly, ever so softly, in the lower registers. It was a bravura performance, underlining his reputation as the coming superstar of opera.
Dramatically, the young performer (he’ll be 35 in May) did not disappoint either as the lovestruck poet Werther in the title role of Massenet’s most richly scored work.
His rendering of the opera’s most soulful aria, Pourquoi me reveiller (why answer the call of spring when it only presages the season of storms?) was tellingly heartfelt.
The audience lapped it up, many standing to applaud at the end.
FAMILY
This was Fabiano’s third outing for Opera Australia and his first in the role: Sydney audiences first saw him as Faust in 2015 and last year as Edgardo in Lucia de Lammermoor.
Talent must run in the family. A great aunt, an aunt, and both father and mother studied opera but only another aunt, soprano Judith Burbank, performed it professionally.
Alleaume once said her dad described as an Energiser bunny; I can see why
Russian mezzosoprano Elena Maximova, as Werther’s adored Charlotte, got off to a subdued start but hit her stride in Act III with the Letter aria, finding the right touch in which to display a growing sense of foreboding mixed with her recognition of her mistake in marrying the stolid Albert, played with gravitas and assurance by talented baritone Luke Gabbedy.
Australian-Mauritian singer Stacey Alleaume, as Charlotte’s sister, Sophie, was a delight, her warm soprano setting off a charming effervescence.
In an online interview, she once said her dad described as an Energiser bunny; I can see why.
Conductor Carlo Montanaro adroitly handled the changes of pace and mood and designer Michael Yeargan’s sets were simple but effective.
Highly entertaining stuff, with a stand-out performance by Fabiano.
DETAILS
● OPERA: Werther
● STARS: Michael Fabiano, Elena Maximova, Stacey Alleaume, Luke Gabbedy
● AT: Sydney Opera House
● UNTIL: March 11
● BOOKINGS: 9250 7777, www.sydneyoperahouse.com