United Kingdom Purcell, Masque of Might: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North / Harry Bicket (conductor). Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, Salford Quays, 16.11.2023. (MC)
Creatives:
Libretto assembled and adapted by Sir David Pountney
Music by Henry Purcell (1659-1695) with musical numbers edited by Huw Daniel.
Stage director – Sir David Pountney
Set designer – Leslie Travers
Costume designer – Marie-Jeanne Lecca
Lighting designers – Paule Constable, Ben Pickersgill
Video designer – David Haneke
Choreographer – Denni Sayers
Cast:
Nebulous / Activist / Wolf – Andri Björn Róbertsson
Elena / Witch – Anna Dennis
Tousel Blonde / Fox – James Laing
Strumpet Ginger – James Hall (acted), Dominic Mattos (sung)
Diktat – Callum Thorpe
Scrofulous / Toady / Seer / Saul – Xavier Hetherington
Sceptic / Samuel – Matthew Brook
Dancers – Rose Ellen Lewis (dance captain), Jonny Aubrey-Bentley, Ruby Portus, Ben Yorke-Griffiths, James Aiden Kay, Erica Mulkern
Sir David Pountney had purchased a complete edition of Henry Purcell’s music in forty volumes. During the Covid-19 lockdown, using Purcell’s music from the collection, he had time to commence work on the seeds of a theatre project. In addition to opera, Pountney found possibilities as he explored other Purcell categories such as plays, anthems and odes. Notably he saw the dramatic potential of the courtly ‘masque’, a type of entertainment that was popular in baroque England in Purcell’s time.
For this stage work the Masque of Might Pountney has assembled and adapted over forty ‘musical numbers’ of Purcell’s music for court, church and theatre into several scenes. I notice that the chosen music has been edited by Huw Daniel. Examples of works Pountney used for material include The Indian Queen, Dioclesian, The Tempest and Ode for the birthday of Queen Mary. A display of song, dance and theatrical elements, Puntney’s Masque of Might is a parable containing satire and humour with the wider message of convincing world leaders to act positively and avert climate change catastrophe. Receiving its world premiere run the Masque of Might is the showpiece of the Opera North, Green Season. Persecution and devastation together with its theme focusing strongly on global warming and climate change the Masque of Might is a powerful work.
Planet Earth is experiencing enormous damage and is being mismanaged by the heinous dictator Diktat who refuses to see the evidence of the problem and throws opponents into prison. Diktat’s adversary is Elena and the accompanying characters take the side of detractors or believers. Tousel Blond and Ginger Strumpet are supporters of Diktat (described as sycophants) who are persuaded to change sides. As natural disasters due to climate change occur Diktat sees them all as a trick, yet he can’t function, and is becoming progressively bewildered and having nightmares. Increasingly desperate, Diktat desires to know the future and consults with a prophet who warns him that all must give way to their destiny. Elena and other believers show Diktat a play where a king is forced to sacrifice his empire. Devastated by the play Diktat asks God for forgiveness. His power disappears and he is extinguished. Elena is announced as Queen of the Night, the sun rises, and the earth commences its recovery process.
Designers Leslie Travers (set) and David Haneke (video) created one of the most spectacular and vibrant looking sets I have seen for a while. Of course, the old caravan used in Falstaff appeared again. Many imaginative scenes had been devised, commencing with a terrific visual display of planets in the solar system rotating on their axis. Costume designer Marie-Jeanne Lecca relishes colour and most of the performers were vividly clothed in varying styles. Standing out throughout were the two sycophants Tousel Blond and Strumpet Ginger. Etched on my memory was the scene of both sycophants with the giant pram that carried baby Diktat.
The role of environmental despot Diktat was taken by Callum Thorpe who gave a top-drawer performance. There was ample strength and resonance to Thorpe’s bass and no shortage of menace. Several costumes changes and numerous deeds ranged from his smart business suit, medals and red tie, proudly carrying three rocket launchers around, wearing a silicone fake muscle chest with camouflage pants and entering into battle with a wild boar. Surely all these were suggesting similarities to a certain Russian president.
Prior to curtain-up, it was announced that James Hall a countertenor playing sycophant Strumpet Ginger had voice problems and would act the role, which was sung on stage by Dominic Mattos, another countertenor. Given the circumstances Mattos sang well, and his non-acting presence on stage didn’t really intrude. Resplendent in his orange suit the other sycophant Tousel Blonde (also as Fox) was taken by James Laing who revealed to splendid effect his first-class countertenor and acting ability.
In the roles of both Elena and the Witch I quickly warmed to Anna Dennis who displayed her accomplished soprano and acting prowess impressively throughout. A highpoint was Dennis’s exquisite performance of the song O let me ever, ever weep (originally from The Fairy Queen) as she mourns the death of Nebulous lying on a mortuary trolley. In my notes I wrote ‘super stage personality, impressive voice and projection’ and I meant every word. There were worthy performances from bass-baritone Andri Björn Róbertsson, Xavier Hetherington a tenor and bass-baritone Matthew Brook. Choreographed by Denni Sayers the dance troupe with captain Rose Ellen Lewis, gave several whip-smart dance scenes.
Seasoned early music specialist Harry Bicket conducted the Orchestra of Opera North with surety, keeping the music moving along efficiently with bold dynamics. It was enjoyable to hear orchestra members playing recorders and the continuo section consisted of theorbo, harpsichord and cello. Hard to fault was the Opera North chorus. Splendidly coached by Anthony Kraus they sang with character and a satisfying unity.
Repurposing Purcell’s music with Masque of Might, Pountney has astutely fashioned the spectacle of the masque to fire off a crucial missive. This Opera North performance with its message of impending environmental catastrophe had such a significant impact it felt like a punch in the stomach.
Michael Cookson
Note: This autumn The Opera North – Green Season includes the three operas Falstaff, Masque of Might and La rondine which are all sustainable productions. Opera North is striving to reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact with the aim of being carbon neutral by 2030 and inspire wider change towards a more sustainable future.