It’s hard to research anything much in opera without encountering Winton Dean, who wrote many a wise word in his time, mainly on Handel. Imagine our delight here at English Opera Singers, therefore, to discover a meaty comparison of the original play and Verdi’s operatic setting, in an essay on “Shakespeare in Opera”. Frankly, to paraphrase his last paragraph or two would be a waste of time, so we’ll share his insights almost in full!
“The opera does seriously challenge the play in the stature of the two principals, especially Lady Macbeth,… and the screwing-up of suspense at moments of climax – the dagger speech, the murder-duet, the entry of Banquo’s murderer during the banquet.. and many others. Verdi achieves this by dramatic declamation, still more by intensification of the harmony and darkening of the orchestral colour …
“We know that he (Verdi) attached enormous importance to ‘Macbeth’… and its manner of presentation. A a time when bel canto singing was regarded as the chief justification of opera he not only chose a subject without love interest, but rejected certain singers because their voice was too good… He continually urged both artists to study the words and let the music come of itself.”
Needless to say, our principal singers here at English Opera Singers have been chosen because they sing superbly AND have studied the libretto AND can act their socks off!
See the proof for yourself at our concert performance of Verdi’s “Macbeth” on Saturday 24 October at St James’s Piccadilly. Remember, you can save 25% on the ticket price -just book your English Opera Singers tickets online .
picture of Lady Macbeth statue in Stratford-on-Avon by Sheep Purple at flickr.com
Tags: Macbeth, opera singers, Verdi, Winton Dean
