★★★★☆
As a Russian, I couldn’t help but notice he advertisement for The Snow Maiden at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester. But to my surprise, the show, an original opera in four acts with music and libretto by Russian composer Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, was sung in English.
The cast, comprised of both actors and musicians, seems to be made up of students and graduates of the RNCM. It was lovely to hear the orchestra warming up before the show and during the break, witnessing some anxiety on their faces before the performance began. However, throughout the opera, a sense of boredom was noticeable in the orchestra pit, especially when the musicians were waiting for their parts. Conducted by Matthew Kofi Waldren, the orchestra did an amazing job in reproducing the famous music.
The Snow Maiden, or Snegurochka, explores a time when people believed in various Gods (such as Yarilo – the God of the sun, Father Frost, and Mother Sun) that were in charge of the season change. The traditions and cultures back then were at times barbaric, encapsulated in the fairy tale of the snow girl Snegurochka, the daughter of Father Frost and Mother Spring, who cannot bear the scorching sun. The story may be hard to follow without context, and even with knowledge, some events and actions might be hard to understand without prior research.
Directed by Jack Furness and designed by Georgia de Grey, the play corresponds to the original story. While some decisions were interesting, others were unclear to me. The village crowd was well-created, and the choir translated the atmosphere of traditional Russian celebrations and amusements.
However, the costumes seemed like a blend of different epochs. Women’s dresses were well-executed but men’s costumes seemed quite modern compared to story’s time period. Mother Spring’s (Kanchana Jaishankar) costume stood out as the most beautiful and meaningful. On the other hand, Tsar Berendeyi (Jay Broadhurst) appeared as a hippie, and the logic behind this idea was unclear.
Among the characters, Snegurochka (The Snow Maiden), played by Bonnie Callaghan on 12th December, was the only one who looked like a character from Russian fairy tales and fables. Her enchanting soprano voice was remarkable, especially for somebody of her young age. In this production, the shepherd Lyel (Olivia Hamblyn) is played by a girl with impeccable mezzo-soprano; the costume and make-up did not conceal the fact that she is not a boy.
The stage decorations, unfortunately, were not the best. Starting with a film instead of snow in the first act, and ending with a stage that was never rebuilt, the production had its flaws. However, the use of a real water turned out to be something new and brave, working quite impressively, especially when Snegurochka was supposed to melt.
It is important to note that this is not a large-scale production, and it cannot be compared to more mainstream productions, such as Opera North. On its own scale, it is a commendable production of a well-known opera with great music, performed at a high level.
One notable aspect that distinguishes this show from professional plays were the actors’ reactions at the end. Their faces glowed with happiness and pride in their hard work. The audience, partially consisting of fellow students and relatives, provided warm support and cheers, a sign not often seen in larger stage shows.
The Snow Maiden has now finished its week-long run at the RNCM but you can browse their upcoming shows and events on their website.
Photo: Craig Fuller
JADAR 