This year’s eagerly awaited production by Pinchgut Opera was the Australian premiere of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s Castor and Pollux (the revised 1754 version rather than the 1737 original). The singing was excellent, and the Baroque music (played on mostly period instruments by the Orchestra of the Antipodes under the dynamic leadership of Antony Walker) was exquisite and ravishing.
Rameau (1683-1764) was a French composer who wrote for the court; at one point of his career he was known more as a music theoretician than a composer. He wrote both opera and ballets, among other works (he only started writing operas at age 50); the Sydney Dance Company and the ACO used his work in Project Rameau earlier this year.
Castor and Pollux is based on a complicated Greco-Roman myth and tells a story of fraternal love, betrayal, and transformation into celestial bodies. The immortal Pollux (Hadleigh Adams) and mortal Castor (Jeffrey Thompson), twin sons of Jupiter, are both in love with Princess Telaire, who returns Castor’s love. Castor is killed in battle, protecting Telaire from a possible abduction. Pollux travels to the Underworld and offers to take his brother’s place among the dead. After a passionate debate over who will live or die, the brothers are reunited in a sort of happy ending as Jupiter transforms both of them into the constellation of Gemini.
The Pinchgut production has a sparse, futuristic, geodesic dome set, almost like a space station on the moon, and also features a very high platform for Jupiter’s imposing appearance. The set also features large black benches that are shifted at various points of the performance, representing the banks of the Styx, court chairs, etc.
The women wore long, Greco- Roman shifts, mostly in grey-blue although the character of Phoebe wore red and Telaire gold. The chorus of men mostly wore blue shirts and dark trousers. Castor and Pollux were dressed darkly alike, with sparkly trousers.
The chorus (Cantillation) are in effect a strong character themselves, with splendid singing. At various times they represented courtiers in the palace, nymphs or shepherds, and also the writhing veiled demons of the Underworld. The two dancers (Sean Marcs and Adam Murray) gave great performances, representing wrestlers and celebrity athletes. Ash Bee’s choreography was stylized, with lots of formal frieze- like elements. Cantillation at one point performed a round dance of celebration, and there is a sultry performance by the female members as the Pleasures.
Jeffrey Thompson as Castor was most impressive. At times he had a silken yet reptilian way of moving. His ‘Ah amour’ was a big joyous show-off solo and his duet towards the end with Pollux was marvellous. His ‘Sejour de l’eternalle paix’ was sorrowful, lyrical and yearning.
His brother, darkly handsome Pollux, King of Sparta, was sensationally played by Hadleigh Adams. He was sweetly tempted by the pleasures of the Elysian Fields that his father conjured up but determined to rescue his brother. His solo in Act One, insisting he will bring his brother back (‘Non c’est en vain’ and then shortly after ‘Present des Dieux’) were brilliant.
As Jupiter, Paul Goodwin-Groen was tall and imposing in white and gold. He was dramatically lit from below, and sang spectacularly.
Princess Telaire (Celeste Lazarenko) was stunning in a very rich gold dress and tiara. She sang excellently, handling the challenging, showy arias of impassioned loveliness and grief superbly. Every inch a princess, her ‘Tristes apprets’ was magnificent.
Bitter Phoebe, who can summon the spirits of the dead, was impressively sung by Margaret Plummer.
Mention must also be made of Pascal Herington as the athlete whose solo ‘Fieres trompettes’ comes early in the show; he also played a lively Mercure, compete with wings. Anna Fraser’s performance as Cleone/A follower of Hebe, and A Spirit was also excellent.
Another exciting production by the wonderful Pinchgut Opera.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Pinchgut Opera present
Castor and Pollux
Music: Jean-Phillipe Rameau
Libretto: Pierre-Joseph Bernard (1754 version)
Conductor: Antony Walker
Director: Kate Gaul
Music Preparation: Erin Helyard
Assistant Director: Paulo Montoya
Choreographer: Ash Bee
Set Designer: Andy McDonnell
Costume Designer: Jasmine Christie
Lighting Designer: Luiz Pampolha
With the Orchestra of the Antipodes and Cantillation
Cast: Jeffrey Thompson, Hadleigh Adams, Celeste Lazarenko,
Margaret Plummer, Anna Fraser, Pascal Herrington, Mark Donnelly and Paul Goodwin-Groen
Running time: 2 hours 50 mins (approx) including interval
City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney
6 – 10 December
