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It was these two experienced performers, together with conductor Karen Keltner, who carried the weight of the performance. Keltner has led many different kinds of opera at San Diego including a number of contemporary works. Here she was in her element with a large responsive orchestra that gave vibrant and tonally vivid life to this broadly conceived score.

Chris Merritt was a somewhat squally Captain who acted his part with gusto, while Dean Peterson sang the Doctor with a more pleasant tone. Both of them gave fine characterizations of their rather unsavory roles. The Drum Major was a perfect role for strikingly built tenor Jay Hunter Morris whose equally robust voice was a lustrous gem in this generally atonal piece. Susana Poretsky was a conniving Margret who sang with rich tones.

There was a moving interchange of vocally unexpressed emotion between Wozzeck, Marie and Kayla Stults, who projected innocence and vulnerability as The Child. Joel Sorenson was a spirited Andres while Scott Sikon and Daniel Hoy were energetic Journeymen. As always, the San Diego Opera Chorus directed by Timothy Todd Simmons sang with thrust and rhythmic vitality.

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