Verdi Macbeth, NBR New Zealand Opera, St James Theatre, October 9-16, reviewed by Garth Wilshere

NBR New Zealand Opera productions have progressed steadily over the past couple of years and this presentation of Tim Albery’s original Opera North production of Verdi’s dark and chilling Macbeth reaches another pinnacle.
World-class casting, and a brilliant, sensitive opera conductor in Guido Ajmone-Marsan, made this an outstanding presentation.
Verdi’s tight distillation of the essence of Shakespeare’ play centres the story on the ruthless ambitions of power and desire for the throne by Lady Macbeth, after she learns of the witches’ prophecies to Macbeth.
Tim Albery’s production is bleak and bloody, pared-down, dark, stark and brilliantly atmospheric, shown in a colour palette of muted blue-greys in an indeterminate place approximating a totalitarian, militarist 1950s period. Smart lighting heightens the atmosphere. There is cleverness in the atmospheric depiction of the all-pervasive witches as three individuals, and in their three-part women’s choruses of intensity. Bitter irony and black humour adds to the flavour.
There is terrific singing from the chorus. They have a lot to do and couldn’t be faulted.
Michele Kalmandi’s Macbeth has a tortured demeanour and a baritone voice of warmth and even tone rich sonority. Antonia Cifrone inhabits Lady Macbeth, her voice has cut and penetration, which makes her characterisation scary, wily, charming and desperately dangerous.
Jud Arthur makes his solid Banquo a contrast and foil to Macbeth, and the, glorious tenor of Roman Shulackoff makes an impassioned and heroic, Macduff, in his small scene.
All the smaller roles were evenly cast and well taken.
With Ajmone-Marsan and Vector Wellington Orchestra players we had a total performance of rare and real quality. Don’t miss it.