The $1.5 million which Gianandrea Noseda personally raised to take an orchestra of 88, chorus of 80 and 11 soloists on an international tour was well spent if Tuesday’s performance was any indication. The opera William Tell, performed as a concert with music stands placed at the front of the stage for the soloists and the choir remaining on risers throughout the performance, places intense demands on each member of the company but especially the tenor who portrays Arnoldo. John Osborn was clearly up to the task, stealing the show during his act two duet with Mathilde, sung by the equally impressive Angela Meade.
A high musical standard was maintained throughout the entire performance which lasted over 4 hours (even with cuts to the score and robust tempos) and consisted of two intermissions after the first and second acts of the opera. The four-section overture that begins the opera was especially impressive, particularly the subdued cello solo that grew to include the rest of the section setting the mood of resignation which the opening of act one requires.
Conductor Gianandrea Noseda on the podium at the Chicago performance of William Tell. (Armando L. Sanchez, Chicago Tribune)
Yet, the night truly belonged to Conductor Gianandrea Noseda. In August, Mr. Noseda publically threatened to resign after disagreements with Walter Vergnano, General Manager of Teatro Regio Torino. It was only just before this tour that Mr. Noseda announced that he would be staying, although further details must be worked out before his contract is renewed. This 4 city North American tour (Chicago, Toronto, New York and Ann Arbor) was designed to show the company’s growth and newfound international stature, and last night Mr. Noseda’s production did just that. On the podium, Mr. Noseda was a dramatic force of nature with his arms energetically carving through the air making the average conductor look lethargic at best. Although grandiose at times, Mr. Noseda’s ictus remained clear and extracted such a magnificent sound from his musicians at all times that little was left to be desired from this rare performance of Rossini’s William Tell.
