United Kingdom Chabrier, L’Étoile (The Star): Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the RNCM / Martin Pickard (conductor). RNCM, Manchester, 8.12.2024. (MC)
For its winter production the Royal North College of Music (RNCM) provided a revival of L’Étoile (The Star) written by then part-time composer Emmanuel Chabrier. Commencing his working life as a civil servant in the French Ministry of the Interior Chabrier pursued his passions for art and music as part-time activities. Only when approaching his forties did Chabrier resign from the civil service, and with no formal training he began to pursue a career in music.
An opéra bouffe in three acts Chabrier’s L’Étoile was written in collaboration with librettists Eugène Leterrier and Albert Vanloo. It was at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens, a theatre founded by Offenbach, where the premiere was given in November 1877. I notice that publisher Josef Weinberger gives the title L’Étoile as The Lucky Star
Several composers extolled L’Étoile namely Debussy, Poulenc, Ravel and Stravinsky. It was composer Reynaldo Hahn who described the work as ‘a rare jewel of French operetta.’ Although highly regarded especially in France, L’Étoile soon fell out of favour and is rarely staged today. As do other music colleges, the RNCM has a tradition of reviving lesser-known works and choosing to stage L’Étoile was undoubtedly a successful decision.
This wonderous comedy L’Étoile has a fanciful story set in a mythical kingdom ruled by King Ouf. On his birthday the King is accustomed to choosing and executing one of his subjects for the entertainment of all. The eccentric plot moves between outlandishly silly and gruesome intent, and of course there is the inevitable love affair.
Chabrier together with his librettists Leterrier and Vanloo have provided consistently enjoyable music, yet I don’t believe that L’Étoile has a knockout song. There are however several entertaining solos and ensembles such as the kissing quartet, a satirical Chartreuse duet, an outrageous tickling trio and a sneezing aria.
In the RNCM theatre this fully staged production of L’Étoile was directed by Mark Burns. It is a double cast production sung in French with English dialogue and surtitles. It was the opening performance of Chabrier’s L’Étoile I attended, a matinee, given by the ‘Red Cast’.
This was a well thought out and creative production by Burns and his design team that ensured a firm foundation. As the curtain opened, I was struck by the visual splendour of the colourful set and costumes designed by Adrian Linford, all sensitively lit by Jake Wiltshire. Well designed by Linford the costumes were a mix of time periods, ranging from comedy outfits to formal wear.
From the first act it is the memory of the set which stayed with me and centred on a large water fountain containing tall white stems, each with a large eye at the top. The fountain was positioned on a print of a circular clock dial on the floor. Above the fountain and set at an angle was a large and ornate circular watch mechanism, at least that is what it suggested.
Act II featured a hot tub inside a large gold coloured crown, an entertaining scene where Lazuli was bathing alone surrounded by six women in white towelling robes. A large dial hung from the ceiling and at each side of the stage was a giant painted vase each of which having a concealed door.
Commencing the third act the King and his astrologer Siroco were sat on deck chairs positioned on the clock dial. Towards the conclusion the circular clock dial on the floor contained a coffin, surrounded by large clusters of beautiful flowers, from which the King awakes. Throughout I liked the way set designer Linford ensured that no superfluous stage props were cluttering up the stage.
Giving standout performances in the two leading roles were Jay Broadhurst as King Ouf and Ellena Hicks as the young pedlar Lazuli, both of whom worked well together providing high quality singing and splendid acting.
Broadhurst was splendid as the King coming across as over-privileged and rather balmy. As the King was in disguise, Broadhurst first wore a bib and brace overall, and later changed into a dark orange suit, yellow shirt and maroon bow tie with a gold-coloured cardboard crown. Most appealing was Broadhurst’s tenor conveying a relaxed sense of style and clear projection.
Clearly relishing the part Hicks convinced as a cheeky yet easy-going Lazuli, who after slapping the King is to be is victim. In this trouser role Hicks was dressed in a pale green waistcoat, white shirt with rolled up sleeves and cropped, baggy mid-brown trousers. A mezzo-soprano with an agreeable tone Hicks achieved her high notes with focus and comparative ease.
Baritone William Jowett had the role of the astrologist Siroco whose predictions are relied upon by the King. Dressed elegantly in a dark pinstripe suit and shirt with bowtie Jowett looked very much a successful professional. Having a strong stage presence Jowett performed well.
Greatly enjoyable and amusing was the performance of the quartet comprised of Ambassador Prince Hérisson (Daniel Ott), his wife Aloès (Rosa Sparks), Tapioca, Hérisson’s secretary (Bradyn Debysingh) and Princess Laoula the daughter of monarch from another country (Charlotte Baker). All four were dressed in purple, the men wearing suits and the women skirts and blouses with wide neckties.
In the production the song and dance numbers were successfully choreographed by Bethan Rhys Wiliam. Coached by chorus master Kevin Thraves the RNCM chorus made quite an impact adding to the success of the production. At the very beginning two or three intonation issues from the RNCM Orchestra were soon corrected. Nonetheless under conductor Martin Pickard the orchestra kept together splendidly.
The students of the RNCM excelled with Chabrier’s L’Étoile giving an admirable performance full of charm and wonder. Clearly connecting with both this opéra bouffe and the college production the audience applauded long and hard.
Michael Cookson
Production:
Stage director – Mark Burns
Set & Costume design – Adrian Linford
Lighting – Jake Wiltshire
Choreography – Bethan Rhys Wiliam
Chorus master – Kevin Thraves
Red Cast:
King Ouf – Jay Broadhurst
Siroco – William Jowett
Laoula – Charlotte Baker
Hérisson – Daniel Ott
Aloès – Rosa Sparks
Tapioca – Bradyn Debysingh
Lazuli – Ellena Hicks
Patacha / Chief of Police – Samuel Horton
Zalzal / A Servant – Edward Wenborn
Oasis – Kitty Casey
Asphodèle – Ellie Forrester
Youka – Esther Shea
Adza – Siân Davies
Zinnia – Ruby Hendry
Koukouli – Ruby Donnelly