Lillian Alling (@VancouverOpera) World Premiere [review]

JT knows my Mom used to be an opera singer, and thus has made a point of ensuring that we attend at least one operatic performance per year together. He got us tickets to the world premiere of Lillian Alling, the first-ever Canadian opera I’ve ever witnessed. According to what I read on Wikipedia about Lillian Alling, she was an Estonian woman of Russian heritage who immigrated to the US and Canada and then tried to return to her homeland in Russia. Interestingly enough, that’s not exactly the story told in the operatic version. JT and I went for dinner to Relish Gastropub before the performance.

After dinner, he took me to Queen Elizabeth Park to see Lillian Alling. Read the VO’s summary:

In 1927, young Lillian Alling arrives in New York City from Russia in desperate search of a man called Jozéf. Penniless, she walks across North America and into the wilds of northwestern BC, following Jozéf’s elusive path. During her brave trek, she is embraced by a Norwegian farming community in North Dakota, incarcerated in Oakalla Prison Farm near Vancouver, and loved by Scotty, a lineman along BC’s “telegraph trail”.

Seeking freedom in the future but bound to a dark past, Lillian’s fierce determination and alluring mystery drive her into danger and forever change the lives of everyone she meets. A cathartic scene on the banks of Skeena River reveals a shocking truth and brings Lillian face to face with destiny. Her story will take you deep into the emotional heart of love and courage.

I have been in the past a guest of the Vancouver Opera to two performances as one of their first participants in the Blogger Night programme (Nixon in China, Salome). Other times, JT has taken me out himself (like, for example, Rigoletto and last night’s Lillian Alling). My friend Tris Hussey took me to the opening night of Carmen last year, and we reviewed it for Sexy in VanCity. I have, overall, reviewed a substantial number of the previous 2 seasons’ performances. And I really liked most of them.

Until Lillian Alling.

Let me explain and provide a few disclaimers. First of all, I grew up listening to classical opera. For me, La Traviata speaks more to me than Nixon in China did. Lucky for me, La Traviata is playing in April of 2011 at the Vancouver Opera. Second, I have a really hard time with cognitive dissonance when I see opera sung in English. Third, I love stories where the storytelling is not intricate but more linear and rapidly-developing.

Let me tell you first what I loved about Lillian Alling, then what I didn’t like and finally, I’ll summarize my review by saying you should check it out, love it or hate it. I loved the voices and strong performances of everyone in the cast, an extremely powerful group of talented singers with extraordinary voices. Judith Forst stole my heart as fragile yet strong Irene. Frédérique Vézina delivers an undoubtedly riveting performance. Aaron St. Clair Nicholson, a powerful and great singer who shows us understanding and compassion (though, strangely — I had a bit of cognitive dissonance seeing Roger Honeywell playing Forst’s son). I absolutely enjoyed the connection with Vancouver, Canada and British Columbia. I loved Act II where the story unfolds. I really enjoyed the scenes that show a connection between mother and son (reminded me of my own Mom). I loved Act II’s music, and the collective scenes where there’s dancing and collective singing. And the production itself (combining video, music, etc. in the background with great physical displays and choreography) was marvelous.

I didn’t like the storytelling in Act I. It felt disjointed and I got bored right after Lillian Alling arrived to Brooklyn. It took A REALLY LONG TIME to tell the beginnings of the story of Lillian Alling. The singing felt somewhat weird in my brain … I am so used to listening to songs that rhyme, or to simply listen to arias in English, that I had a lot of cognitive dissonance. While the orchestra was simply outstanding, I doubted the choice of songs. Though, truth be told, in Act II I really enjoyed the music, and the story-telling.

In summary – why should you go and see Lillian Alling? First of all, because this cast and the accompanying opera and production team are absolutely talented. Second, because it’s based on a true story. Third, because it’s a demonstration of pure Canadiana (and as you know, I love to showcase Canadian content). Finally, because it has a beautiful connection to Vancouver and a wonderful story to tell of the love of a mother, wife and daughter.

Because Lillian Alling provides an amazing depiction of the brave immigrant women who have moved to Canada to build a family and give them a chance at a better life.

Lillian Alling continues to play for 3 more nights, on October 19, 21, and 23. Let me know if you go see it and what you thought of it. You can also read the reviews/liveblogs of two of my good friends who are part of this seasons’ Opera Blogger programme: Miranda Lievers and Stacey Robinsmith.