Powerful opera holds crowd in its spell

Marc Shulgold, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 21, 2007 at midnight

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BOULDER - The programming of Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar looked like a giant gamble for Colorado Music Festival director Michael Christie. A full evening of music by a contemporary composer about a political subject - cold-blooded murder during the Spanish Civil War - didn't exactly promise prettiness to concertgoers.

And yet, the 80-minute work held a Chautauqua Auditorium crowd in its spell at the first of two performances on Thursday.

This is not a fun work, but, thanks to a committed performance from a stage full of brilliant performers led by Christie, listeners felt every heart-breaking emotion in Golijov's wrenching tale of sacrifice in the cause of freedom.

Though presented in a concert version, Ainadamar emerged with extraordinary force. Rarely does history and contemporary art blend so seamlessly.

The one-act opera is still new, premiered in 2003 at Tanglewood and staged two summers ago in Santa Fe. Yet it already bears a timeless quality, capturing the passion of those who fought Franco's Fascism in 1936 - as it reminds us of the continuing struggle of the idealistic weak against the brutally strong.

Michael Christie led the CMF orchestra and guest musicians in a dynamic accompaniment, featuring a cadre of percussionists and a pair of guitarists capturing the driving rhythms of flamenco.

Members of Timothy Krueger's outstanding St. Martin's Chamber Choir offered strong vocal commentary, also stepping in to sing occasional supporting roles.

But this was window-dressing for the trio of protagonists in this story about the short life and tragic death of Spanish writer Federico Garcia Lorca. Their committed performances were astonishing and unforgettable.

Jessica Rivera stepped up to the demanding role of Margarita. It was a triumph of vocal and dramatic power. Rivera (and her cohorts) never broke character, even when seated onstage. Those final cries of anguish for her long-departed friend Lorca were spine-chilling.

Kelley O'Connor has become a star through her portrayals of Lorca, a fully believable characterization despite the obvious gender thing. She can dive way below the contralto range with no loss of focus, all the while delivering a vital characterization that injects a much-needed humanity into the role. Her return as a ghostly presence in the profound final moments was exquisitely handled.

Nuria was sung wonderfully by the promising soprano Emily Albrink, who more than held her own alongside the amazing Rivera and O'Connor. Thrilling, too, were the flamenco vocals of Jesus Montoya, as Franco's hit man.

Key contributions came from guitarists Adam del Monte and Jonathan Leathwood, and percussionist Gonzalo Grau. As an encore treat, Del Monte, Grau and Montoya offered some flamenco, once the cheering had ended.

These performances are a powerful reminder of Christie's vision and talent - and of the music festival's newfound importance.

Ainadamar

• Grade: A

• When and where: Thursday and Friday in Chautauqua Auditorium

Marc Shulgold is the music and dance writer. Shulgoldm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5296

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