Music Reviews

Jan 28, 2005 - Opera star Jennifer Larmore lends her major talent for a Nevada Opera benefit

By Jack Neal

Billed as a "Viva la Diva" event and played out before something less than 800 patrons, Nevada Opera's fundraising event last Saturday night at the Reno Hilton Theatre came off nonetheless without a hitch. There's no doubt about it, mezzo soprano Jennifer Larmore's Reno recital to raise cash for Nevada Opera was gorgeously sung.

That the "Viva la Diva" moniker was more "fun" than the recital in no way undermined the elegance of Miss Larmore's craft or the sheer beauty of her artistry.

It may have come as a surprise to her that the event was performed in a room designed for a huge nightclub extravaganza, Donn Arden's lavish "Hello Hollywood, Hello," with the deadness of the sound such a room has going for it - and against great singing. Miss Larmore's rich, vibrant sound was amplified as it would need to be if she were singing from the fifty yard line at the Super Bowl. Which means, of course, that her rich, vibrant sound was still terrific - just different than it would be if it weren't filtered through a mile or so of wire.

Miss Larmore and the stage set looked lovely. The pastel lighting was subdued and pretty. It was the kind of event that was sumptuous for opera fans who listen with their eyes. For fans of opera more interested in how a singer sounds, the venue leaves much to be desired.

Regardless, performed in collaboration with pianist Antoine Palloc, Miss Larmore - a major international star of opera for two decades - played well to connoisseurs of fine singing and somewhat less well to those hoping to hear "How could you believe me when I told you that I loved you, when you know I've been a liar all my life?".

Opening with four superbly sung art songs and closing with two Kurt Weill songs ("Broadway" from "Street Scene" and "Buddy on the Night Shift") plus two Victor Herbert songs ("Toyland" and "I Want to be a Prima Donna"), the Larmore voice was at all times smooth, silky and alluring.

Particularly noted as a bel canto singer, Miss Larmore's exqusitie singing of a portion Rossini's song cycle "La Regata Veneziana" and two arias ("Cruda sorte" and "Per lui che adoro") from "L'italiana in Algeri" demonstrated the singer's enviable vocal flexibilty and consistently tasteful musicality. It was the operatic arias that raised the evening's bar to a level of excitement many operagoers prefer. To Miss Larmore's credit, especially given her first-rate coloratura, the singer never leans on vocal athletics as a cheap way to entice listeners.

From Bizet's "Carmen" Miss Larmore sang "Habanera," "Seguidilla," and "Chanson Bohemienne." I understand her Carmen for Placido Domingo and Washington (D.C.) Opera was more cerebral than earthy, but these three arias in concert were both cerebral and earthy - and entirely magnetic.

The contributions of Mr. Pollac at the concert grand (a Yamaha) cannot be overstated. He is a superb pianist and partner for Miss Larmore and a major talent in his own right.

The written program referred to the recital as "an intimate evening with Jennifer Larmore." Performed on the world's largest indoor stage in a plush auditorium that seats over1600 people for dinner, with two book-end microphones framing the singer as she sang into a sound sytem worthy of Yankee Stadium, the word "intimate" is a bit of a stretch.

None of that is Miss Larmore or Mr. Pollac's fault. They were in all ways splendid.

Next up for Nevada Opera is Franz Lehar's "The Merry Widow" scheduled for March 18 and 20 (2005), at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. For information call 775-786-4046.