Elixir breathes life into opera

REVIEW - THE ELIXIR OF LOVE
Rosslyn Hill Chapel By Jenny Connell

CONDUCTOR Jona-than Barry staged Gaetano Donizetti’s first great opera, the elixir of Love, which was more than a potion (or wine in this story) transforming an icy cold Saturday night into a beautiful romantic summer in Tuscany with laughter, gaiety and, of course, love.
The Rosslyn Hill Chapel in Hampstead was the venue on Saturday and the production overflowed with talent. Andrew Morris (Nemo-rino) is an accomplished tenor, with soprano Susan Jiwey (Adina) singing beautifully. Greek baritone Leandros Taliotis (Belcore) was hilarious as the Italian sergeant with his two stooges.
Ian Massa-Harris (Dulcamara) with his rich bass baritone voice and impeccable pronunciation of Italian along with his experience of theatrics breathed blood into the veins of his quack doctor character, with Russell Hawkins playing his bungling assistant. The talented and reliable pianist Noel Skinner worked non-stop throughout and when the Vox Lirika chorus sung I was covered in goose pimples. Katie crooks, Barbara Destafinis, Carolyn Herail, Kuan Hon, Mette Jakobsen, Richard Immergluck, Jezz James, Giles Naylor, Alex Routledge, Jake White are all definately names to listen out for. Barry’s aim is to encourage families and first-timers to evenings of music theatre in a relaxed, unpretentious ambience. With Karen Fotherby stage managing and Paddy Crowley in charge of lights and using digital equipment to project relevant screen images behind the players, and narration between scenes certainly helped.
Parents with young children attended, and not a squeak was heard from them.