JADAR

★★★★★

Opera North’s adaptation of Puccini’s La rondine is a majestic and sumptuous spectacle filled with all the drama and magic of the light opera and romantic comedy genres. Whilst the stakes may not be “high”, its focus on finding true love in the centre of the bustling and magical city of Paris is breath-taking, as Puccini’s music hits eye-watering heights and the cast’s voices soar enchantingly, much like ‘the swallow’.

The journey opens on the frustrated Magda, the mistress of a rich banker, who dreams about the chance at love she once had, and seeks her to chance to recreate them moments with a young gentleman named Ruggero. Her poet friend predicts her future, and she becomes all the more determined to seek her chance at love again, while her maid seeks love and a higher rung on the social ladder. But can Magda truly live happily if their relationship is based on falsehoods?

It’s a story that is steeped in woe, garnering critical backlash for its frivolity and light-hearted drama yet winning over audiences in its romantic escapism since it was released around the First World War. Its rose-tinted imaginings of Paris as a world of awe and excitement, the waltzing music and the sense of opportunity and mystery it creates, and the fabulous voices, make the show truly unforgettable.

Set in the café society of the 1930s, the opera takes place between living spaces, Bullier’s café, and the streets of Paris and relishes itself in the same culture, artistic talent and freedom-seeking seen after the war. The sense of new possibilities, especially for the women of La rondine is a clear and poignant theme in the show as more women seek love and fame in the streets of Paris.  

As a part of Opera North’s Green Season, much of the sets and costumes have been re-used from previous productions or are second-hand, with their lighting also sharing the same set for the four days at the Lowry theatre – an intelligent way of reducing the carbon footprint of theatrical productions that should be tackled by more theatre companies.

Despite the potential limitations of re-using props, the set is rather spectacular, with two scaffolding staircases that turn to create the edges of a mansion, an enormous vase of vibrant flowers, and various 1930s costumes that perfectly matched the vibe and era of the show.

Magda’s dress at the start was a particularly stunning piece and really helped highlight Galina Averina (Magda) as the star, along with her flawless singing of course. Sébastien Guèze also played a phenomenal part as Ruggero with his passionate outbursts and adoring nature breaking the audience’s heart with its raw genuinity.

Overall, La rondine is a magical project of the heart that I am glad to call one of my first outings to the opera. Its accessibility with English subtitles help for first-timers to opera, and its stunning mixture of music and drama were simply awe-inspiring.

Opera North wrapped up its Green Season at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre) on November 18. Check out our reviews of Verdi’s Falstaff and The Masque of Might (a new piece using the music of Purcell).