Sun February 21 2010 - SDNN
San Diego Opera's 'Nabucco' is dazzling

Every member of the excellent cast sings wonderfully, looks his/her part, and can act acceptably (from a slightly wooden but vocally adept Fenena to a movingly-portrayed Nabucco, who, in the wake of the lightning bolt, has “lost his senses” for the duration of Act III).  But the evening’s top vocal honors must go to French soprano Sylvie Valayre as Abigaille.  She bursts onstage in armor in Act I, with her armies at the Temple gates, and her performance, in one of opera’s most demanding roles, is nothing short of magnificent.This opera brims with mighty choruses sung at full voice by everyone; Abigaille is asked to sing more powerfully than all the rest, to be heard above the chorus, to sing the high note in every climax, and she succeeds, over and over. Yet her voice is more than just powerful; it is also radiant and supple, and she is utterly comfortable in the high tessitura demanded by the role.  Her lyrical soliloquy at the beginning of Act II permits her to demonstrate a lush and almost delicate vocal quality not possible in the thundering choruses.

Candace Carroll

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