Review: La scala di seta at RNCM is ‘hilarious, charming and beautifully performed”

In a delightful fusion of comedy, romance, and musical splendour, Rossini’s La scala di seta wowed an enraptured audience at the Royal Northern College of Music on Sunday afternoon.

The opera unfolds with a captivating blend of secret marriages,  mistaken identities, and farcical situations.

Rossini’s La scala di seta at Royal Northern College of Music

At the heart of the tale lies Giulia, a young and amorous woman, secretly wedded to her beloved Dorvil.

However, her guardian, Dormont, has plans of his own, intending to marry Giulia off to the wealthy Blansac.

Amidst the chaos, Giulia must devise a clever scheme to divert Dormont’s affections, leading to a series of comedic misadventures and romantic entanglements.

With the stage set for a riotous romp it’s left to the incredibly talented cast of RNCM musicians to bring it to life.

The Characters

There are several standout performances in La scala,  but all of the actors filled their niches with talent, verve and skill.

Jessica Hopkins shines in the role of Giulia, infusing the character with emotional depth and nuance, while Charlotte Baker dazzles as Lucilla, her mezzo-soprano voice adding a layer of richness to the ensemble.

Charlotte delivers an incredible performance that is well worth a mention on its own, with the audience audibly gasping at several points during her towering vocal performance.

The entire cast delivered stellar performances, breathing new life into Rossini’s classic opera.

Led by Henry Strutt’s authoritative Dormont, who delivers one of the lines of the opera when he finds out what’s been going on behind his back, accepts the unexpected turn of events with a sense of resignation and laugh-out-loud humour.

There are moments of hilarity throughout the Opera, and Dormont is often the trigger for the laughter, with impeccable timing.

Yihui Wang’s charming Dorvil, Adam Jarman’s determined Blansac, and Ishay Ravina’s bumbling (and hilarious) Germano all added layers of humour and depth to the production.

All of the characters are brilliant.

The Costumes

Visually, the production is a feast for the senses, with stunning costumes, elaborate set designs, and dynamic lighting creating a captivating backdrop for the unfolding drama.

A big shout out to wardrobe manager Elaine Needham, Rebecca Parkes (deputy), Natasha Williams (wardrobe placement) and Jo Best (wigs, hair and make up).

From Giulia’s flowing satin robes to Blansac’s talk show host jacket and natty cords – the costumes are a visual delight.

And of course, how could we miss Dormont’s incredible pink puffy bufont, a triumph in architecture and hair spray?

It’s full of exquisite detail, and a special commendation is due to the costume and wardrobe designers, whose exceptional work elevates authenticity and charm.

Set design

The visual elements of the production were equally impressive.

Set against the elegant backdrop, the stage design, lighting, and costumes transported the audience into the heart of the story. 

The music

An exceptionally talented cast of musicians opens with ‘Overture’ drawing the crowd in from the get-go. You could tell you were in for something special before the curtain was even raised.

Wyn Davies (former director of Music, New Zealand Opera) leads the RNCM Opera Orchestra which beautifully accompanies the action on stage.

The audience’s reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with laughter and applause echoing throughout the theatre.

This is a fabulous opportunity to see some of the next generation of opera stars before they become famous.

The show is awesome, hilarious and a gorgeous way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The performance perfectly captured Rossini’s farce, imbued with warmth, comedy and wonderful performances.

Moments of musical brilliance, comedic timing, and heartfelt emotion left a lasting impression.

Tickets to see La scala di Seta at the Royal Northern College of Music

You can see La scala di Seta at the Royal Northern College of Music on Thursday 21 March 2024, Tuesday 19 March and  Saturday 23 March

You can get tickets by clicking here