Operatic Bats in the Belfry
by Larry Vide ©2008
Robert Moran: The Dracula Diary. Libretto (included) by James Skofield. Houston Grand Opera Studio. Catalyst/BMG Records. 09026-62638-2. (71:24)
Always fascinated by tales of fictional vampires, I succumbed to the temptation to buy this CD of a one-act opera with a prologue and ten scenes. Since it was written in the 1990’s, I imagined it would be done in some new-music style. As it turns out, the music for it is quite accessible. The chamber orchestra of seven fine musicians is well conducted by Ward Holmquist. The excellent singer-actors include soprano Laura Knoop, baritone James Maddalena (of Nixon in China fame plus a lot more), mezzo Jill Grove, tenor Ray Very, bass-baritone James Scott Sikon, and bass-baritone Michael Chioldi.
The instrumentalists provide solid orchestral support for the singers, yet the orchestra stands out during their interludes and entr’acte passages when their strongly emphasized rhythms can be fully appreciated. Mr. Very, as the Monk in the Prologue, sings a cappella until the orchestra enters. The Impresario (Maddalena) then begins his confession, an accompanied monody to initiate the plot of the opera. Most of the singing involves rhythmical recitative, with the orchestra keeping the singers powerfully aware of the meter, which is often altered. You won’t be humming any melodies from this opera.
However, the drama is fashioned with very interesting plot actions revealed through the many recitatives, all well sung by the six performers. Actually, Ms. Knoop, the convent girl, gets to sing two pretty songs during the opera.
All of the singers are extremely good; they sing the words clearly and with as much force as the orchestra. Of course, there are two bassos and a deep-voiced baritone, making it difficult for the listener of this CD to be unable to tell who’s who without a libretto at hand. Along with the emotional moments sung in recitative, such confusion requires the listener to consult the libretto often.
Overall, while this CD is hardly a new release, it remains to the credit of Houston Grand Opera, the original company, to have produced such an unusual and fascinating short opera.