New National Theatre Tokyo / Umsagnir

After Blanche, perhaps the most complex role is Mme Lidoine. It’s not flashy and it’s psychologically extremely complex. Portraying that is a challenge and it’s well met by Alexa Frankian. One thing the ladies all have in common is that while their music isn’t flashy it isn’t easy either and doing justice to it and to the character development is demanding. They all rise to it.

Another pivotal personage in this opera is Madame Lidoine, the New Prioress, here taken by budding spinto soprano Alexa Frankian. Lidoine arguably has the most beautiful music to sing, her last act aria, “Mes filles, voilà que s’achève” an absolute highlight. Frankian has the vocal chops to do it justice.