"La Vida Breve" Earns Bravos

(first published in The Cincinnati Post Feb. 29, 1992)

Spanish classical music may be terra incognita to most Cincinnatians, but thanks to Cincinnati Symphony music director Jesús López-Cobos, that course is getting a welcome correction. A big, bright case in point was Friday night's concert performance of Manuel de Falla's opera "La Vida Breve" ("A Short Life").

Presented in observance of the Christopher Columbus quincentennial, it was an evening to cherish, from the gorgeous singing and playing to the stunning performance of Spanish dancer/castanet virtuoso Lucero Tena. Just 70 minutes long, "Vida Breve" is rarely staged, but the music is richly orchestrated and brims with Andalusian color.

The story is simple. Salud, a working-class girl, is wooed by Paco, who betrays her to marry a rich girl. Salud confronts Paco at his betrothal celebration and falls dead at his feet. Argentinian soprano Alicia Nafe was compelling as Salud, her voice soaring over the large orchestra when necessary, and delivering Salud's final, anguished "Paco" with heartbreaking intensity. Her Act I aria ("life for those who love laughing, death to those who weep") bared the soul of the opera.

Other members of the cast were equally impressive: mezzo Catherine Keen as Salud's grandmother, tenor Antonio Ordonez as Paco and baritone Michael Wadsworth as Salud's outraged uncle Sarvaor.

You'll feel like you've been touched by Spain when you hear baritone Gabriel Moreno as The Singer, guitarist Carmelo Martinez and Ms. Tena in Act II. And special ole's to the May Festival Chorus, who not only sang expertly, but were variously called upon to clap, shout and whisper in stunned silence.

It was López-Cobos' timing and sense of drama that gave the performance its savor, however. If you can't make tonight's repeat, don't miss the CSO recording.

Telarc will record the work following this weekend's concerts.

Concert review - CINCINNATI SYMPHONY. Friday night, Music Hall. Jesús López-Cobos, conductor. PROGRAM: Manuel de Falla, "La Vida Breve" (concert performance). Spanish with English surtitles. CAST: Alicia Nafe, Salud. Antonio Ordonez, Paco. Catherine Keen, Grandmother. Michael Wadsworth, Sarvaor. Karen Notare, Carmela. William McGraw, Manuel. Manuel Cid, A Voice. Gabriel Moreno, The Singer. Lucero Tena, Spanish dancer. Carmelo Martinez, Guitarist. May Festival Chorus, Robert Porco, director . Attendance: 1,769. Repeat: Tonight, 8:30, Music Hall.