Was Puccini trying to liberate women within the Church? That is the
issue that has arisen between the West Bay Opera's excellent chorus
master and myself, concerning the WBO's current production of "Manon
Lescaut."
In yesterday's http://www.sfcv.org/arts_revs/westbayopera_2_21_06.php,
I attributed the appearance of several women in cassock, in a religious
procession, to the lack of male chorus members. No, I was advised after
the review appeared, women were employed to comply with Puccini's voice
requirements.
I don't remember women appearing a priests, abbots, abbes, or archimandrites
in Puccini's operas, but perhaps I had a sheltered life. What is the
experience out there, in the larger world? Please advise.
To give Ms. Bogart her due, I am quoting in full her letter to SFCV.org:
In Mr. Gereben's recent review of West Bay Opera's production
of "Manon Lescaut" he says
"How far Ostwald had to go in marshalling nonexistent
resources was clearly demonstrated by the use of women as
priests and subteens as prostitutes in the deportation scene."
The use of women as part of the second act chorus had to do with
realizing Puccini's intent and nothing else.
The score says the chorus of gentlemen and abbes (signori ed
abati) is to be sung by contraltos, tenors and basses, four on
a part, with no information as to correspondence between vocal
part and character. In our production all the notes are sung
at the pitches Puccini asked for. In addition to the designation
"contralti" there is internal evidence that this part is not
intended for typical male adult chorus voices: there are plenty
of notes above tenor high C (C5) in the top part, the highest
being G5.
The part could be sung by countertenors, but asking for four in
a chorus part would be most unusual; there is no tradition of
such a thing in operas of the time. Boy altos could also manage
the tessitura, but would not be heard in the ensemble. Besides,
when Puccini wanted children's voices he typically (Tosca, La
boheme, Turandot) asked for them by labeling the part "ragazzi".
best regards,
Joanne Bogart, Chorus Manager
West Bay Opera
Janos Gereben/SF
www.sfcv.org
[log in to unmask]
|