Karolina Gumos was an ardent, ruby-voiced Octavian, seemingly tireless from beginning to end.
Cendrillon Just 24 hours after singing the Muse in Hoffmann on this very stage, Karolina Gumos also had another massive sing tonight as the Prince Charmant. She was ardent, warm and rich in tone and the tessitura held absolutely no terrors as she offered uninhibited singing throughout the range. The voice has good resonance and she ably matched the character’s journey from ennui to a recognition the he had finally found true love. Despite two challenging assignments over two evenings, Gumos was absolutely tireless.
The performers, led by Polish soprano Iwona Sobotka playing Pamina and supported by the WA Opera and WA Symphony Orchestra, were not deterred by the extravagant production, but revelled in it.
Pamina, sung beautifully by Soprano Iwona Sobotka on opening night. She played the heroine-in-need-of-rescue to perfection, but despite the sexism spouted by some characters, Pamina showed courage, determination and integrity. That said, she does fall into despair when she believes she is no longer loved by Tamino, and Sobotka sings Pamina’s aria with great feeling as she contemplates suicide.
Wunderbar Peter Bording als Jupiter, ein Bürger im Anzug, der seine Priviliegien davonschwimmen sieht; dass er Eurydike als Fliege becircen will, ist von grausam-komischer Konsequenz. Dazu passt sein verzweifelt blasierter Gesang.
“Fire of Disrespect” (Émile Zola). "Max Hopp as John Styx, who speaks dubbing, is an excellent cast - just as wonderfully strange as the production itself."