Gaetano Donizetti: La Fille du Regiment - Opera Australia
The Daughter of the Regimentseems to burst over with Gallic wit and charm.  It tells a tale of young love--frustrated, then victorious--and gave the composer Donizetti ample chances to write military rhythms, pastoral mood music, and passionate love exchanges, as well as to create a role that any prima donna would fight to perform. The story centers on the waif Marie, who is adopted by a French army regiment, falls in love with a Tyrolean youth called Tonio, but is carried off to live with the Marquise of Berkenfeld, who plans to turn her into a genteel lady and marry her to an aristocrat.  But at the final curtain, the Marquise (who turns out to be her long-lost mother) relents and lets her marry Tonio.This Australian Opera production was praised as such: "Dame Joan Sutherland has made the cute heroine Marie as much her own as the tragic Lucia. Sutherland tossed off the soprano's florid runs and trills like a lark ascending while romping around the stage with the tongue-in-cheek nonchalance of a born comedian.  The supporting cast was splendid both vocally and histrionically."  --The Australian. "The Daughter of the Regimentis purely opera as entertainment.  However, it does demand exceptionally fine singing.  On both counts, for vocal splendor and for entertainment, it succeeds admirably."--Canberra TimesCast:Joan Sutherland: MarieAnson Austin: TonioHeather Begg: MarquesaGregory Yurisich: SulpiceGordon Wlcocs: HortensioMarie-Claire: Duquesa