Portland Opera uncorked a festive send-off for George
Manahan in a special concert on Friday, May 15, at the Keller Auditorium. The
90-minute-long event featured star-power soloists, the opera chorus, the
orchestra, plus a stellar last-minute replacement for the featured soprano who
was suffering from a cold. Of course, at the center of it all was Manahan, leading
a program of beloved numbers from the operatic catalog.
Manahan made his conducting debut with the company in 2006
and was its music director from 2012 to 2021. During that span he helmed more
than 20 productions, started the Big Night gala tradition, and improved the
quality of the orchestra. He has worked with opera companies from San Francisco
to Sydney, and enjoys an excellent reputation with many singers, including some
terrific friends who left it all on the stage for the one-time extravaganza at
the Keller.
Portland’s own Hannah Penn kicked things off with a
scintillating “Lo farò; dirò: spietato” from Handel’s Rodelinda. Commanding
the rapid series of runs with panache, Penn deftly conveyed an aria that
expressed the intensity of revenge. Her voice impressively descended into the
lowest mezzo register with conviction yet maintained a vibrant and
beautiful tone. Wow!
Internationally acclaimed soprano Nicole Cabell delivered a
mesmerizing “Song to the moon,” from Dvorak’s Rusalka. Her velvety voice
and dramatic presence were accompanied by excellent playing from the orchestra.
Unfortunately, Cabell was dealing with a cold – although you
could not tell from the way she sang – and she was unable to sing the “Jewel
Song” from Gounod’s Faust. She also had to withdraw from singing with
Penn in the “Flower Duet” from Delibes Lakmé. It is on such occasions
that careers are made, and Madeline Ross, from the opera chorus, filled in with
poise and terrific moxie. She exquisitely sang the soprano part, blended
terrifically with Penn, and that made the piece a highlight of the concert.
Tenor Barry Banks poured emotion and superb singing in
“Parmi Veder le lagrime” form Verdi’s Rigoletto and followed that with an
outstanding interpretation of the “Flower Song” from Bizet’s Carmen.
Baritone Stephen Powell gave a totally compelling rendition of the “Toreador
Song” from Carmen, augmented by three flirting singers from the opera
chorus: Aline Bahamondez, Lindsey Johnson, and Anna Jablonski.
Powell brought down the house with an over-the-top “The
Impossible Dream” from Leigh’s Man of La Mancha. Powell and Banks teamed
up for an ardent “Au fond du temple saint” from Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers.
Manahan gave a special welcome to the reigning diva of
Portland’s musical scene, Sunnah Mars, proclaiming her as the best Mrs. Lovett
he has ever heard. Mars then launched into an outstanding performance of “The
Worst Pies in London” from Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd.
The opera chorus had a grand time with the “Entrance of the
Guests” from Wagner’s Tannhäuser and the “Polovtsain Dances” from
Borodin’s Prince Igor. The orchestra put zing into the “Overture” from
Bernstein’s Candide and captivated the audience with the tender
“Intermezzo” from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.
Bass Andre Flynn, from the chorus, joined Ross, Penn, Mars,
Banks, Powell, and all forces for an uplifting “Make our Garden Grow” from Candide
to close out the show. It was a fitting
ending for an exceptional evening. I
only wish that more people would have been in attendance. Kudos to all the
performers for giving every last ounce of effort into the evening, with a special nod to Ross, who topped everything with her gem of a voice. Even
though the festivities, hosted graciously by artistic director Priti Gandhi and executive
director Sue Dixon, put a bow on Manahan’s tenure at Portland Opera, it would
be great to see him on the podium again someday in the future.
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