The Dnipro Opera embarked on an extensive tour across the UK from the 31st of January to the 28th of March 2024, presenting three major operas: Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and La Bohème, and Bizet’s Carmen. The performances at Harrogate Royal Hall were particularly memorable, creating a profound impression of experiencing something truly exquisite.
The Harrogate Royal Hall, with its stunning architecture adorned in gold and velvet, combined with the magnificent stage sets, transported the audience to the 19th century—Seville for Carmen and Paris for La Bohème. The elaborate Parisian sets of the 1830’s were showcased both in the first and second acts of La Bohème, creating an immersive visual feast.
Fresh interpretations
The acting of the soloists was compelling, drawing the audience into the tragic narratives. The atmosphere in the hall was palpable, especially during the deaths of Carmen and Mimì, with the audience deeply engrossed in the emotional gravity of these moments. Despite the well-known plots, the voices of the soloists offered fresh interpretations of these beloved operas.
Particularly noteworthy was Olga Perrier’s performance as Micaëla in Carmen. Her immersion into the role was so profound that it was impossible to look away. Remarkably, the very next day, Perrier captivated the audience again, this time as Mimì in La Bohème, showcasing her versatility and depth as a performer.
Young soloists also shone brightly, with Mykhailo Hazin delivering virtuoso performances as Parpingol in La Bohème and Remendado in Carmen, earning warm applause from the audience. Andrey Lomakovich’s passionate rendition of the Toreador’s aria in Carmen ignited the audience, demonstrating his masterful command of the role.
Choral director Irina Nepochatykh’s work deserves special mention. Her leadership ensured the choir’s performance was rich and cohesive, enhancing the distinct styles of each opera.
Powerful orchestra
The Dnipro Opera Orchestra, conducted by Igor Puchkov, received thunderous applause, highlighting the joy of live symphonic music for the Harrogate Royal Hall audience. The orchestra’s high artistic standards were evident, as it consists of professional musicians, many of whom are laureates of international competitions.
The talented Ukrainian violinist Polina Chaika is one of them. Her extensive orchestral experience, acquired from various ensembles in Ukraine and abroad, contributed significantly to the orchestra’s superb sound during the tour, and she shone particularly bright at Harrogate.
The Dnipro Opera’s visit to Harrogate Royal Hall was a significant and eagerly anticipated event. Special thanks are due to the theatre team for bringing such talented artists to the stage. The audience granted them standing ovations on both nights, and people leaving the theatre were heard saying words like ‘amazing,’ ‘wonderful,’ and ‘excellent.’
Challenging settings
Behind the scenes, the meticulous work of Amande Concerts Ltd. was crucial. Sound engineer Aleksandr Baranov played a fundamental role in achieving the high-quality sound. His collaboration with Amande Concerts began in 2018, and his expertise in managing and organizing the creative process has been invaluable over the years.
One of the main challenges of the tour was crafting accurate sound riders without seeing the venues in advance, a task requiring close communication with theatre technical specialists. Baranov’s innovative sound engineering ensured that audiences across all the different venues, including big ones like Harrogate Royal Hall, consistently experienced the rich auditory palette seamlessly blending the symphonic orchestra with both male and female choirs and soloists.
Victoria Zhitkova, the opera’s Carmen and Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, highlighted the importance of Baranov’s skill in ensuring that performers’ voices remained clear and natural, which greatly contributed to the overall success of the performances.
The warm reception of La Bohème by the audience, coupled with the professional sound work, underscored the high quality of the production. The sound was so natural that it wasn’t until the curtain fell that it became evident that microphones had been used.
Amande Concerts Ltd.’s commitment to cultural enrichment through high-level performances is commendable, significantly contributing to the UK’s cultural landscape. Their next project, a ballet tour featuring Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, starts on the 6th of October and will run until the 25th of November. We wish the artists success in their upcoming tour. Toi! Toi! Toi!
