A Night With Norma – Vancouver Opera Style – Take 2

Alas due to some technical difficulties with internet access, I was not able to blog during the Vancouver Opera’s production of Norma. But what a night it was!

I arrived early to set up at the Blogger’s table and quickly began to take some photos of around the newly renovated Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The staff were wonderful and treated us all with respect. The theatre truly is wonderful and well prepared to take on whatever production will be housed there; tonight it was Norma!

Prior to the performance, we all were taken for a tour of the backstage. As I have never been backstage at any event, I wasn’t sure what to expect. With only an hour before curtain call, the crew and performers were very calm and collected. We got to walk on the stage the performers would be on and was blown away at the set. The set, we were told, takes about 36 hours to assemble. I found it also interesting to see the Stage Manager Sheila Munn’s area. This is the main control station where she has access to all and makes sure that everyone is where they have to be and she can also monitor the conductor and see he’s cues.

It was also fun to see the audience arriving. There was a diverse set of people with both young and old as well as seasoned Opera goers. As this was opening night, they truly dressed up for the occasion. I did feel a little under dressed, but hey I wear a suit to work all week and was looking to be more relaxed this evening. That said I think I will dress up my next outing to the Opera. People were very friendly as they approached our tables and asked us questions as to why we were at the Opera with laptops and cameras. It was fun to educate some of them on what “blogging” is and what we were trying to accomplish that evening.

Photo by Vancouver Opera

So what did I think of Norma?

Well for those that do not know, the Opera is sung in Italian, but don’t let that worry you as above the stage they have English translations. Now sometimes it can be difficult to watch what is going on stage and then look up to the translations. Some have said that you don’t really need to read the translations and that just by following what is going on stage you will get a sense of what is going on. Alas I wasn’t well prepared for the story and relied on the translations to understand the story. I don’t think this took away from my enjoyment of the story at all.

I have to say I was amazingly impressed with the production. Though no big set pieces were moved during the show, the lighting changed with sometimes images projected at the far end of the stage that let you know you were in a different location as the scenes changed. The lighting effects are thanks to Alan Brodie, the Lighting Designer – Bravo work!!!

Hasmik Papian, who plays the lead role of Norma was breath taking. I’ve never heard such a sweet voice before and she commanded the stage and let you know she was there. Kate Aldrich, who played Adalgisa was amazing as well and when she sang along side Hasmik I was blown away. No words could describe the emotions that came out of them true stars! Richard Margison; Pollione, and Alain Coulombe; Oroveso, were both great in their performance. I have to say the only weakness I found was John Arsenault; Flavio and Barbara Towell; Clotilde. I just didn’t hear them that well and thought they were drowned by the music. The chorus, under Leslie Dala’s guidance, were fantastic and truly helped build the suspense and drama of the production.

All in all a truly magical night! This is a great start to the Vancouver Opera’s 50th anniversary year.

Photo by Vancouver Opera

It was also fun to sick around after the performance for an after party. It was great to see the principal cast out of their costumes and in regular “street” clothes (surprisingly they changed VERY fast).

I’d like to personally thank Ling Chan from the Vancouver Opera and the rest of the team. They truly made us feel special and treated us amazingly.

You can view more photos on my Flickr page.