THE Tramway proved to be the perfect setting for last night's
highlight of the Glasgow International Early Music Festival, a lavish
and sumptuous production of La Baltasara by Rospigliosi (Pope Clement
IX) and Abbatini. Not only was the space ideal from a staging point of
view but this piece was actually first performed in Rome at the Palazzo
Rospigliosi in the area which housed the carriages! That was during the
carnival in 1668, and it hasn't been performed again until now.
Warwick Edwards prepared the edition of the opera which was
languishing in the Vatican library and he has assembled a superb company
of singers, actors and dancers to bring it to life.
There is, as was usual at the time, no conductor, and two groups of
instruments -- each containing a harpsichord and assorted period pieces
-- occupy the sides of the Tramway stage.
Kate Brown has produced it, and it's an extremely lively and colourful
presentation with attractive designs by Louise Belsen.
The story is the intriguing one of the spectacular conversion to
Christianity (during one of her performances) of a renegade actress, La
Baltasara, and of her subsequent adventures.
Janis Kelly was excellent as Baltasara, Tinuqe Olafimihan vocally
thrilling as Beatrice, and Stuart Patterson and Francesco Garrigosa were
thoroughly convincing admirers.
A touch of gentle comedy was provided by Eleanor Bennett and Alan
Watt, and pretty dancing was given by Il Ballarino of Florence.
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