Meyerbeer: L'Africaine (1988)
This was a 1988 revival of a 1971 production that teamed Domingo (Vasco da Gama) and Verrett (Selika - both then very much in their prime) in Meyerbeer's discursive swan-song. Seventeen years on, they are more statuesque than sexy, but both give larger-than-life performances that contain moments of completely thrilling vocalism. The casting is very strong, with the exception of Justino Diaz's Nelusko, which has strong presence but not much vocal allure. As Inez, Vasco da Gama's fiancee and rival for Shirley Verrett, Ruth Ann Swneson sings with great beauty and has impressive stage presence, very much holding her own in the confrontation with Verrett in the last act. Domingo is refulgent of tone and dramatically convincing, and he and Verrett strike sparks. She really comes into her own in one of the most preposterous mad-scenes in all opera, where she is slowly poisoned by the scent of a giant tree, contriving to make this dramatically truthful and even moving.
Cast
- Plácido Domingo - Vasco Da Gama
- Shirley Verrett - Sélika
- Ruth Ann Swenson - Inès
- Justino Díaz - Nélusko
- Patricia Spence - Anna
- Kevin Anderson - Don Alvaro
- Michael Devlin - Don Pedro
- Philip Skinner - Don Diego
- Mark Delavan - High Priest of Brahma
- Joseph Rouleau - Grand Inquisitor of Lisbon
Screenplay
Keywords
opera live performance
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Meyerbeer: L'Africaine about?
- This was a 1988 revival of a 1971 production that teamed Domingo (Vasco da Gama) and Verrett (Selika - both then very much in their prime) in Meyerbeer's discursive swan-song. Seventeen years on, they are more statuesque than sexy, but both give larger-than-life performances that contain moments of completely thrilling vocalism. The casting is very strong, with the exception of Justino Diaz's Nelusko, which has strong presence but not much vocal allure. As Inez, Vasco da Gama's fiancee and rival for Shirley Verrett, Ruth Ann Swneson sings with great beauty and has impressive stage presence, very much holding her own in the confrontation with Verrett in the last act. Domingo is refulgent of tone and dramatically convincing, and he and Verrett strike sparks. She really comes into her own in one of the most preposterous mad-scenes in all opera, where she is slowly poisoned by the scent of a giant tree, contriving to make this dramatically truthful and even moving.
- Who directed Meyerbeer: L'Africaine?
- Meyerbeer: L'Africaine was directed by Brian Large, Lotfi Mansouri.
- Who stars in Meyerbeer: L'Africaine?
- Meyerbeer: L'Africaine stars Plácido Domingo, Shirley Verrett, Ruth Ann Swenson, Justino Díaz, Patricia Spence, Kevin Anderson.
- How long is Meyerbeer: L'Africaine?
- Meyerbeer: L'Africaine has a runtime of 3h 9m (189 minutes).
- What genre is Meyerbeer: L'Africaine?
- Meyerbeer: L'Africaine is a Music film.
- Where was Meyerbeer: L'Africaine produced?
- Meyerbeer: L'Africaine was produced in United States of America.