Dramatic, Powerful and Dynamic: Opera San Jose’s Il Trovatore
An all-time audience favorite and Giuseppe Verdi classic, Il Trovatore is what opera is all about. Opera San Jose does a wonderful job in transporting viewers into 15th century Spain with their embellished garments, spooky lighting and vivid artistry. Il Trovatore revolves around the grim drama about a flustered gypsy woman, Azucena, who is bent on avenging her mother’s death at the stake. On top of that, she is tormented by her botched attempt at committing infanticide, by casting her own son into a fire. The plot evolves and grows into a dramatic love triangle where Manrico, the gypsy woman’s “son”, and the villainous Count di Luna fight for the young Leonora. 
Listening to Il Trovatore’s arias rippling over and over again throughout the three hour production is clear evidence of Verdi’s musical genius. However, watching Opera San Jose perform the harmonious choruses and leading roles honored Verdi’s score in a magical way. Kerriann Otaño who is Leonora captivated the audience with her dazzling presence and raw emotion. Alongside her, Mackenzie Gotcher sings wonderfully, unfolding the imposing, but kind heart of Manrico. Count di Luna, played by Eugene Brancoveanu, was brilliantly able to gain the audience’s sympathy as he embodied the heartbroken villain. In addition, the flamboyant vengeance of Azucena was evident in both her intense acting and her passionate mezzo-soprano singing. Undoubtedly, Enrico Caruso’s famous line the opera of Il Trovatore only needing to have the “four greatest singers in the world” is very much true in this case. 
As always, Opera San Jose presents a full performance, with a captivating set, costume design and chorus. The shadowy backdrop and elongated staircase pull viewers right into the dark atmosphere of the opera. The audience was fully dazzled by the adorned royal coats, the wild gyspy hair and Leonora’s stark white wedding dress. Accompanying the great singers, the choral passages brought body to the four leads. Whether it was the horde of gyspy men, the enlightened nuns or the dynamic of mother and son, the opera was brought to life by the supporting roles. On top of that, the musically timed clanging of the gypsy men’s irons as well as the intense sword fighting were highlights that brought the production to new heights.
Watch Opera San José’s production of Il Trovatore at the California Theater right in Downtown San Jose from 2/15-3/1. See https://www.operasj.org/il-trovatore/ for more details!*All photos by Pat Kirk. Courtesy of Opera San José.
