Opera Reviews: Cyrano

When can we see it again?
Scott Pitts - Grosse Pointe

I was hesitant to experience another "new" opera, and was never so glad I did. The music, the singing, the acting, the sets, costumes and lighting were individually and collectively exceptional. Not even at the end of "La Boheme" have I heard so many sniffles and hints of quiet sobbing at the tragic ending set to absolutely moving music. The ovations showed traces of tears on the faces of most my fellow patrons, male and female, young and old. This was truly an exquisite experience for the senses. Though reviews cited the influences of Puccini, I also found many musical references to Massenet, Gounod and Debussy, making this "French Language" opera decidedly "French" in musical texture, but bound with the Puccini-esque rapture that can be experienced with absolutely beautiful music.

That Act I may need some judicious editing, and a program note explaining Roxane "taking residence" in a convent (a common thing for widows in that era) as opposed to entering a convent to take vows would seem helpful, this was nothing less than a masterful work. I truly believe that all audience members are now a part of the rich and long history that is sure to be associated with this magnificent opus. "Cyrano," by Detroit's own Dr. David DiChiera, is certain to begin occupying a secure assignment in the repertoire of major opera houses across the country and, indeed, around the world.

David, how proud you must be! Please tell us we will be able to experience your "Cyrano" again in the immediate seasons to come at MOT.

Costuming suggestion
Mary Andrews - Farmington Hills, Michigan

Dear Dr. DiChiera:

Yes, Cyrano will become a modern classic. Many congratulations. My comments:

It was distracting to switch from a 'love' death scene to one of a 'politics' in Act III, scene 2. This 'mad scene' was not only incongruous, but took away from what should be a most delicate, tender, fraught with regret depiction of two lovers who know that their love can never be fulfilled.

Also, it would have been clever, had Cyrano had a red feather in his hat. That would have added to the magic that you have created, and would allow the audience to immediately differentiate Cyrano from Christian, especially in the darkened balcony scene.

Second cast - why weren't we told?
Vicki Kondelik - Ann Arbor

My family and I attended the matinee of Cyrano on Sunday, Oct. 28. We thoroughly enjoyed the music: it was beautiful, melodic, and very much in keeping with the romanticism of the story. I loved the opera so much that I hate to complain, but I wish that we had been told ahead of time that we would be seeing the second cast. I had been looking forward to seeing Marian Pop, Leah Partridge, and Jose Luis Sola. There was nothing in the publicity material, MOT's website, or in the documentary about the making of Cyrano to say that there was a second cast. We had been led to believe that there was only one cast. There have been many other times that we've seen the second cast at the Sunday matinees at MOT, but we had always been told beforehand. Also, I think the program should have included biographical information about the singers in the second cast. All we got was a small insert listing their names and the roles they played. Some of them had biographical information in the program because they played different roles in the world premiere cast, but others, including the Roxane and Christian, did not. It's not fair to the singers, that the audience doesn't know anything about them. Also, we were annoyed that we paid the same price as the people who went to the Saturday performance, but we saw the second cast.

But please realize that I'm only complaining about the way this was done. We enjoyed the singing very much, and thought the opera was wonderful. Congratulations to Dr. DiChiera on this extraordinary work! I hope it stays with us for a very long time.

Editor's note: The same stars sang all five "Cyrano" performances. However, a program insert acknowledging the (non-performing) covers led many to believe that a second cast was appearing. There was in fact no second cast. Michigan Opera Theatre apologizes for the misunderstanding.

Proud Detroiter
Chris Felcyn - Detroit

Having watched Dr. DiChiera build MOT from the old "Overture to Opera" days in the 70s, to see an original, fully-staged truly grand opera in the house that David built is a thrill beyond measure.

It sure makes you proud to be a Detroiter, doesn't it?

Bravo
Bettie Fraser - Essex, Ontario

It was absolutely WONDERFUL!
Cyrano and Roxane's voices were unbelievable. Congratulations to the super-talented composer of this new, vibrant opera, as well as the whole cast. The stage settings were breath-taking. One small suggestion: at the beginning of the opera, the orchestra seemed to be playing too loudly and were over-shadowing the singers. We were so proud and happy to be in attendance at the world premiere of such a dynamic, melodious, and sometimes tearful opera. Bravo.

One: the crowd scenes are too crowded for the size of the stage. Save costs by reducing the need for personnel and costumes;
Two: in several scenes the principals were facing each other with one having his back to the audience. Principals should face each other sideways to the audience;
Three: the end of the scene in which R and C reminisce about their childhood begs for a duet, each singing of his/her love;
Four: the scene (also included in the play) in which R rejects Christian because he cannot elucidate on his feelings of love could be cut. Notwithstanding the salon atmosphere of the 17th century which the scene emulates, in the 20th-21st century her reaction makes her out as a shallow insincere simpleton for whom show wins out over substance every time. Christian could readily accept C's offer as stand-in without highlighting her rejection of his love.

The composer's blend of orchestra and arias was superb. I feel that Cyrano is a worthy addition to the opera repretoire and I'm glad I had the opportunity to see it.

The star of this performance was the orchestral music. Some truly beautiful stuff there. Costumes - gorgeous. Directing could have been tighter. There was a disconnect between the super titles and the voices which took away from the impact of what the singers were saying; e.g. audience was laughing ahead of time in places, which didn't help the drama much. Singers at the Friday night performance needed to be stronger in order to be heard above the orchestra (up in the balcony anyway). Last act music was beautiful - easily the best - and brought genuine tears to both me and my husband. The whole production could be shortened somewhat with some tweaks in the story overall though very entertaining. Bravo DiChiera! Hope you are going to give us more! A ballet perhaps or an orchestral suite?

What a privilege it was to see and hear Cyrano. It was a first class production with beautiful music, sets, and costumes. I especially enjoyed the quintet's singing. All three of the leads were wonderful. I found myself in tears at the end. Another tragic story with a sad ending--it doesn't get any better than that. Congratulations to Dr. DiChiera and MOT to give us a real winner. Thank you.

I thought Cyrano was wonderful. I loved the humor, the setting (WOW), the costumes, and the singers. I didn't know David DiChiera was such a romantic. I was not disappointed. He should be proud. Congratulations.

Wonderful! The sets and costumes were outstanding. Balcony scene was a vision. So hooked.

The set design was exquisite. It was easy to lose myself in the story. I enjoyed the entire evening and have recommended it repeatedly. Congrats to MOT Cast & Crew for a beautiful job.

There was no place else anywhere on earth that my husband and I wanted to be last night, October 20th, than at the performance of David DiChiera's Cyrano! Bravo, David, for a stunning and gorgeous gift to us all! We especially enjoyed the quintet of the marriage scene.

Everything about the production was wonderful - there were times when I would close my eyes and just listen to the music and my heart would swell. Every character was played to perfection. A wonderful masterpiece!.

It was a wonderful opera. The costumes, set designs and scenery were fantastic. Some even breathtaking. I especially enjoyed the voice of Roxanne. The music was absolutely wonderful. What a wonderful evening it was.

Just one minor suggestion. In the first act I found the volume of the music was drowning out the singing. This improved as the opera progressed with the singing often accompanied by only one or two instruments. Kudos to the MOT for this bold endeavor.

The opening night of Cyrano was certainly a hit. The receptive audience proved the talent of the composer. We all were very impressed.

If you love music, this opera is a "dream come true." A melodious drama for all time!

Only superlatives can be used to describe the outstanding music, lyrics, costumes and sets. The entire production was superlative. Kudos to David DiChiera.

Brilliant, dazzling, exquisite, absolutely beautiful music. Congratulations to Dr. DiChiera, Bernard Uzan and Mark Flint for this modern gem. It is wonderful to hear such beautiful melodic music in a modern work. I loved the duet between Cyrano and Christian at the end of Act one. The sets and costumes were wonderful as well as the choreography. (I loved the dancing in the bakery.) I was very impressed with Marian Pop who played Cyrano. Beautiful singing and acting. Also Jose Luis Sola and Leah Partridge and Gloria Parker. Beautiful singing.

I did feel the music at the end of Act One Scene One needed some action on stage. (I realize there was a set change but it seemed to drag on a bit.) Also I think the "mad scene" at the end of the opera could be cut. The program says that Roxane has entered a convent and has lived there for 14 years. I also thought it strange that Roxane, an orphan in a convent, was ordering the nuns to find a chair for her guest. (At least it came across to me that she was ordering them around.) She also wasn't dressed as a nun so it was a little unclear to me if she was just staying there as a guest or what. As an orphan she wouldn't be ordering the nuns around.

Two minor suggestions, one mechanical, one musical.
In the second scene of Act I the trees on each side of the stage rock to and fro and are distracting. Probably the opera will need cutting, and could do without the "mad scene" (at the end when Cyrano starts battling imaginary foes just before his death).

Sets were beautiful, the soprano wonderful, Cyrano very believable & with great voice. All in all a very enjoyable experience. Congratulations to Dr. DiChiera & all others involved in producing & presenting this beautiful opera.

Stunning, moving and beautiful! I and my young sons had the honor of attending and were absolutely captivated. I don't know how Dr. DiChiera keeps finding these amazing singers, but we are blessed to be the recipients of such tremendous vocal talent! Like La Traviata, the opera's first act is lively, funny, and fast-paced, and then drastically changes course in acts two and three. By the end of the opera, we were in tears. The viola solo in act three was simply gorgeous, evoking deep sadness in me. The orchestration is masterful, as was the conducting. Our hats are off to Mark Flint. I don't know if enough people realize how fortunate we are in SE Michigan to have such a capable opera company. They colored the opera beautifully.

Magnifico! What a brilliant performance ... a coup for the Opera, the city and Director/Composer DiChiera.