<<  -- 4 --  Maria Nockin    A LIVELY PACE

Veteran American baritone Theodore Lambrinos was a sonorous Enrico as he bullied his sister into an unwanted marriage. A commanding Raimondo, Russian bass Mikhail Kolelishvili sang in excellent Italianate style. Alisa was beautifully and compassionately sung by company stalwart, Viara Zhelezova, who is often seen in leading mezzo roles. Arseni Arsov was an energetic Normanno and Yuri Nikolov a spirited Lord Arturo Bucklaw.

Conductor Krassimir Topolov kept up a lively pace. He has a masterly feeling for line and he never let the tension of the piece diminish, but he did give his performers the leeway they needed. New London does not get a great deal of opera and when the performance was over the audience showed that it thoroughly appreciated the company's visit.