Fortunately there is in Finland, in addition to the Finnish
National Opera and the Savonlinna Opera Festival, also smaller opera groups, since
neither of the big players have brought to stage e.g. Giovanni Paisiello’s
opera “La Serva Padrona” that saw first light in 1781. Now – 237 years after
the name day celebrations of the future emperor Alexander I, when the opera was
performed for the first time, this lovely little piece had its first night in
Finland in Suomenlinna, in Tenalji von Fersen. The name of the place is an
absolute monster, but the venue itself is really atmospheric (brick walls,
vaults and candles burning in wrought iron candle sticks).
“La Serva Padrona” is one of those operas that have been
composed by several composers. The best known version is that of Pergolesi, which
is actually shown this year at least twice in Finland: first in the beginning of
August in Liminka and then a second time by Freiburg Baroque Orchestra in the
end of August in the Helsinki Music Centre. It might be considered surprising
that such a simplistic story has tempted so many composers, but the world is a
strange place.
The story tells about Umberto, who has two servants called
Vespone and Serpina. Umberto is not at all happy with Serpina’s work and
considers her to be lazy and bossy. She would, however, like to marry Umberto
and with the help of Vespone and some intrigues, they finally end up married.
Ville Saukkonen’s direction was very successful for such a
story. On the small stage of Tenalji von Fersen a lot of things went on, but
the rhythm was good and actions easy to follow.
I liked Paisiello’s music and the orchestra, conducted by
Aapo Häkkinen, did justice to it. Reetta Haavisto as Serpina was excellent. Her
singing was good, but above all I liked her performance. Such an expressive
face! Antti Pakkanen was also good in the role of Umberto, but I just liked the
lady better. Jouni Bäckström was perfect in the role of Vespone even though he
did not utter a word. His competing groom in the fur coat and dancing trepak
(or perhaps I should say gesticulating trepak?) was stellar!
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| Tenalji von Fersen |
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