Odyssey Opera's "Siege of Calais": Well-Done Burghers

The Cast of "Siege of Calais"
(photo: Kathy Wittman)

The opera Siege of Calais or L'assedio di Calais, by Donizetti, premiered in Naples in 1836, and word has it that the composer didn't care much for his own work, never arranging for revivals. Despite the popularity of his other bel canto operas, this one is still very rarely heard (though the Glimmerglass Festival featured it this past summer in its U.S. premiere). We have Gil Rose and his Odyssey Opera to thank for enabling Boston audiences to appreciate a long-neglected work. With a libretto by Salvatore Cammarano (performed here in Italian with English titles), based on the play of the same name by Luigi Marchionni, this is a fully-staged production at Huntington Theatre. It serves as a welcome element in the current five-opera season of operas dealing with Joan of Arc (though technically, this opera is a wee bit of a stretch, as it doesn't feature the French saint but does concern Edward III's year-long siege of Calais during the Hundred Years' War). It also partially answers the question as to why this particular Donizetti work has been by and large ignored. Both musically and dramatically, it's an undeniably inert piece, notable mostly for its unfamiliarity. For most of the opera there's not much to appreciate, though in the hands of superb choral singing (as is the case here) it makes the case for presenting this minor work by a major composer more frequently than once or twice every millennium.

The Cast of "Siege of Calais"
(photo: Kathy Wittman)

The year is 1346 and the forces under Edoardo III, King of England (John Allen Nelson) and his general Edmundo (Sumner Thompson) are laying siege to the city of Calais The heroic central figure Aurelio (Magda Gartner, in a trouser role, unusual for Donizetti, who typically limited such pants roles to supporting ones such as Orsini in Lucrezia Borgia or Smeton in Anna Bolena), is the son of the mayor, Eustachio (James Westman). His family starving, Aurelio attempts to breach the siege to steal supplies, but is seen, though he eludes capture. Eustachio and Aurelio's wife Eleanora (Lucia Cesaroni) assume he has died, but the burgher Giovanni d'Aire (Neal Ferreira) brings news of Aurelio's safety. When Aurelio returns, he asks his father if there is any hope, and gets a silent response. A group of citizens led by a stranger (Luke Scott) arrives to demand Eustachio's death and surrender to the enemy, but Eustachio unmasks him as an English spy, rallying the people to face death with courage and honor. Later, as Aurelio sleeps, Eleanora prays for the salvation of the city. Aurelio awakes from a nightmare in which he was about to be killed as he watched the murder of his infant son. Suddenly Giovanni brings news that terms of peace have arrived from the enemy namely that a pardon will be issued for the citizens if six prominent members volunteer to be executed. At first all are horrified, but Eustachio proclaims he will sign first. Aurelio offers to go in his stead, but is refused. The four burghers Giovanni, Giacomo de Wisants (Alan Schneider), Pietro de Wisants (James Demler) and Armando (Christopher Carbin) all sign. Aurelio again volunteers and this time he is accepted into the group of martyrs who lead a hymn to the country, joined by the citizens for whom they prepare to die. But all ends happily thanks to the intervention of Isabella, Queen Of England (Deborah Selig). Fans of Deus ex machina will be pleased.

This performance, Conducted by Gil Rose, with Stage Direction by Joshua Major, was often wonderful to hear. The singing by Cesaroni, Gartner and Westman was superlative. The creative team included Chorusmaster Mariah Wilson, Scenic Designer Dan Daly, and Lighting Designer Dennis Parichy. All had a hand in reviving this brief (just over two hours) work.

Don't let another few centuries fly by; if you missed this performance, October 28^th at 7:30pm is your second and final chance to catch all these well-done burghers.