Search - Mark Singer, Peter Castaldi, Ned Rorem :: Ned Rorem: A Childhood Miracle & Three Sisters Who Are Not Sisters

Glowing work, less-than-stellar treatment

Brian A. VonRueden | Chicago, IL USA | 10/02/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ned Rorem, one of America's most famous, and certainly one of the most accesible composers for the voice, is known more for his songs than his operas. Indeed, I had never heard of these works until I specifically looked for English-language one act operas. The first is a radiantly atmospheric fairy-tale about Victorian repression--and its consequences when a snowman comes to life. The second is a simple children's game, bringing to attention how easily children play with death. The writing is superb, and both prick up the ears and the intellect. The Magic Circle company has done us a great favor by making these operas available to us. One can only wish that other companies would do the same favor. While the orchestral and piano accompaniments are accurate and appropriately atmospheric, the singers tend to be "acting" singers, never allowing the voice to be truly beautiful. Those playing children tend to overdo the youth aspect of the character--"I'm being young now, everybody, LOOK!" Michele Couture's tone particularly borders on shrill throughout, especially unpleasant when coming from an "11-year old." Patrick Greene voices a very difficult role, an appropriately smooth, yet mystical snowman. The overall ensemble effort, however, represents a generally accurate, generally satisfying reading of two scores long-deserving of attention."