BU Opera – Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette

Saw a very enjoyable opera production at the BU main stage: Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette. I think this is the best opera deal in town: for $20 you get an orchestra, sets, costumes, lighting, and opera singers. The singers were good – students to be sure – but very good voices. The Romeo seemed a bit mis-cast voice-wise, although he looked the part wonderfully well. He had a light tenor voice that might sound right singing Mozart or Rossini, but didn’t have enough umph for Gounod. The stand-out voice in my opinion was Heath Sorenson, the bass. He was a true bass and a very good one. When I think back to all the concerts and operas I’ve attended over the past few years I can’t remember hearing a voice like that: strong and full down as low as the score goes. I think there are too many baritones and bass-baritones singing what should be bass pieces: Bach cantatas, the Mozart Requiem, Sorastro, you name it. I just have not heard a true bass sing a bass part for a long time. It was nice!

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