Bampton Classical Opera perform Salieri's La Locanderia.

Bampton Classical Opera has long specialized in reviving neglected works by Anton Salieri and this production, chosen to mark the 200th anniversary of the composer's death, is one of their most notable achievements. 

   La Locanderiera (The Landlady) has the advantage of being based on a sparkling comedy by Goldoni, and it has music that is lively and enjoyable. The excellent small orchestra, conducted by Andrew Griffiths, totally succeeded in persuading me that this score does indeed deserve to be revived and heard.

      Siân Dicker (soprano, https://www.siandicker.com/) performed and sang admirably in the demanding lead rôle of Mirandolina. She is what is known as a spinto soprano, with exceptional power in her middle and lower register. As Mirandolina she was perfect, projecting an independent businesswoman running a hotel, poised, capable, and clever, as well as very attractive. 

   The rôle of Fabrizio, her factotum, was sung by Samuel Pantcheff, (baritone, https://www.samuelpantcheff.com/) another rising young star who has appeared at Bampton before, and now makes a welcome return. His lean frame and a vigorous, agreeable voice make him an ideal Fabrizio.

 As Lena, the hotel maid, coloratura soprano Rosalind Dobson (https://www.rosalinddobson.com/) could have stolen the show, had it not been a fairly limited rôle. 

  Welsh tenor Osian Wyn Bowen had a difficult rôle as the surly, misogynistic Baron, which he carried off admirably. Grudgingly he finally admits that Mirandolina is an excellent woman and a good enough wife for anybody, even him - only to be laughed at when she admits her pampering of him was all a ruse to teach him better manners.

    As the sporty Count and the plump, amorous Marquis, David Horton and Aidan Edwards made an effective comic duo, both singing splendidly. 

  The opera plot transcends its era being based on timeless themes of feminism and class friction. At one point Fabrizio, seeing the posh blokes compete for the favour of Mirandolina, whom he secretly loves, actually sings a snatch of "Si vuol ballare, Signior il Conte", Figaro's aria from Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, interpolated of course by the director. The audience is delighted when at the end she chooses this honest man of toil rather than any of her titled suitors.

   This production kept the comedy just within the bounds of farce, letting the music, in the capable hands of Bampton Opera Orchestra, speak for itself and create an atmosphere of buoyant optimism.

    Last night was a sad occasion for Bampton fans since this is to be the final production that will take place at this particular venue. But there will be plenty of future performances at other venues, and if you want to see this production you can still do so at Westonbirt, Old Walland or Smith Square, London. See below for booking details.

Antonio Salieri (1750-1825), The Landlady (La locandiera)
Libretto by Domenico Poggi
English translation by Gilly French and Jeremy Gray

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the composer's death.

Conductor - Andrew Griffiths
Director - Jeremy Gray

Mirandolina, a landlady - Siân Dicker
Fabrizio, her servant - Samuel Pantcheff
Lena, a maid - Rosalind Dobson
The Baron Ripafratta - Osian Wyn Bowen
The Count of Albafiorita - David Horton
The Marquis of Forlimpopoli - Aidan Edwards

 Performances

18 & 19 July: The Deanery garden, Bampton, Oxfordshire (7pm)
25 August: Westonbirt Orangery, Gloucestershire (5pm)
6 September: The Barn at Old Walland, Wadhurst, East Sussex (6pm)*
16 September: Smith Square Hall (formerly St John's Smith Square), London SW1 (7pm)

https://www.bamptonopera.org/index.htm#whats-on