Haydn's Opera Le Pescatrici (The Fisher-Girls) by New Chamber O...

There was only one place to be in Oxford yesterday evening: in the Warden's Garden at New College where Haydn's opera Le Pescatrici (the Fisher Girls) was performed in an idyllic setting surrounded by jasmine and rambling roses.

This rare, little-known romp of an opera was written for a wedding in 1770 and the music is tuneful, inventive and lively - as one would expect from Haydn. The plot, based on a comedy by Goldoni, features a quartet of lovers. Two fisher-girls, Nerina and Lesbina, are being wooed by hardworking local fishermen, Burlotto and Frisellino, whom they treat in a coquettish manner, flirting and teasing them mercilessly. When a mysterious prince appears on the scene, searching for a lost princess, (whose father, the rightful king, was slain by a usurper who is now, thankfully, dead) both of the fisher-girls are hopeful that they will turn out to be the one he seeks.

The original Italian libretto has been ingeniously and wittily translated into English verse by Jeremy Gray and Gilly French, whose skill in this regard will be familiar to any fan of Bampton Classical Opera.

As Burlotto, Will Anderson (tenor) was well contrasted with Frisellino, Alex Haigh (tenor), and their comic duets, sung with verve, won repeated applause from the audience.

In the role of Lesbina, Áine Smith (soprano) had some very demanding virtuoso arias, which she carried off with poise and style. During one of them, a wood pigeon cooed in a nearby tree, creating an impromptu duet. Prince Lindoro was excellently performed and sung by Matthias Lundberg. The part of Mastricco, a retired fisherman who knows some crucial secrets about the true whereabouts of the lost princess, was taken by Arshak Kuzikyan, with a smooth and agile bass voice. His foster-daughter, the shy, unassuming Eurilda, whose acute sensibility hints that she may be the blue-blooded one, was ably performed by Anneka Vetter (soprano).

Just when you think the plot is resolved, Act 3 launches into a miniature version of Così fan Tutte. The two young fishermen dress up as fine gentlemen, and woo each other's sweethearts, with the aim of proving that they are fickle and motivated only by ambition. Of course they succeed...

The instrumental ensemble is small but very able, and everything is held together by Steven Devine, directing from the harpsichord.

The audience has the additional pleasure of dining in the cloisters, where tables and chairs are set out and reserved for each ticket holder. This makes for a delightful summer evening. However, it is rather a long evening, particularly for those who have come in from outside Oxford or who are reliant on public transport. I wonder if the time allotted for dinner could be reduced to one hour.

As the evenings can grow cool and breezy, ladies are advised to wear a long skirt and closed shoes, and anyone who is not wearing trousers might also be grateful for a rug to place over their knees.

This is an outstanding event and not to be missed by any lover of classical opera who lives in or near Oxford - if they're lucky enough to get a ticket. The New Chamber Opera, based in New College (hence its name), puts on one production per year, with a very limited run.

Conductor: Steven Devine

Director: Michael Burden

More information: https://www.new.ox.ac.uk/opera100726

Haydn's Opera Le Pescatrici (The Fisher-Girls) by New Chamber Opera