FROM AROUND THE WORLD: CHARLOTTE, NC.(Opera Carolina's production of Carlisle Floyd's Susannah)(Brief Article)(Review)

For a regional company such as Opera Carolina to produce an American opera is unfortunately something of a risk, even if the work is a standard almost fifty years old. Therefore, Opera Carolina's presentation of Carlisle Floyd's Susannah on April 21 is to be doubly applauded, both for the general excellence of the production and for the inclusion of such a work in a short (three-opera) season. To have the composer on hand in several public discussions of his work was a bonus.

Floyd's powerful study of religious intolerance and injustice was well served. Marquita Lister was a fine Susannah. Her acting was both believable and always appropriate for the character, and she was particularly credible portraying Susannah's disbelief in the face of the townspeople's intolerance. Her lovely soprano is certainly suited to the young, innocent heroine, and her purity of line and sure legato made the lyric moments especially effective. "Ain't it a pretty night" was a highlight, of course, but "The trees on the mountain" was even more beautifully sung. Rev. Blitch's comment ("That's mighty pretty singin', Susannah") rang true. Unfortunately, her lack of attention to consonants made the projected ...