Glimmerglass Opera Festival 2010 – Handel's Tolomeo

Reviewed by Paula Citron

The Glimmerglass Opera Festival's production of Handel's Tolomeo sports three sensational performances – Canadian mezzo-soprano Julie Boulianne as Elisa, American countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo as Tolomeo and American soprano Joélle Harvey as Seleuce. These three sail through their parade of da capo arias in brilliant fashion.

Quite frankly, Handel can seem endless without interesting stage business. Director Chas Rader-Shieber certainly focuses attention, but in the most bizarre ways. He treats every aria as a production number of its own. For example, Tolomeo sings of "ministerial waters" with a gold fish bowl. Seleuce's aria about "gentle breezes" is accompanied by five electric fans.

Andrea Hood's costumes are all over the map in terms of centuries, even for a single character. Tolomeo wears jeans and an 18th century frock coat. Elisa's très chic basic black dress is encased in tulle.

The opera, while eccentric in direction and design, is beautifully conducted by Christian Curnyn.

Tolomeo continues at the Alice Busch Opera Theatre until Aug. 23

Tolomeo
Glimmerglass Opera Festival
Music by George Frideric Handel
Conducted by Christian Curnyn
Directed by Chas Rader-Shieber
Starring Anthony Roth Costanzo, Julie Boulianne, Joélle Harvey, Steven LaBrie and Karin Mushegain (with Desmond V. Gialanella, Julian A. Gialanella and Jack Loewenguth
Alice Busch Opera Theatre
Cooperstown, New York
Jul. 18 to Aug. 23, 2010