Double, double toil and trouble

Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. ...

Last Sunday afternoon, I took advantage of the sunny day to head up to Dayton for Dayton Opera's company premiere of Verdi's "Macbeth." The Schuster Center is a magnificent place to see opera, with its stunning ambiance and acoustics, and it was fun to see a large crowd streaming into the Schuster's "Wintergarden" for the performance.

I have to admit, I was mainly there to see bass David Michael, a Cincinnati native and former P&G brand manager, who gave up his downtown cubicle a few years ago to risk a career on the opera stage. Michael's career has built steadily from small, cameo roles to the splendid Banquo he sang in this production.

Indeed, I'm happy to report that the singing and conducting were top-notch. The hellish opening "witches scene" had terrific atmosphere, even though the traditional New Orleans-owned production, gloomy and dimly lit, seemed dated and the staging a bit stilted.

But what a cast. Lester Lynch made a superb Macbeth, delivering an authoritative performance with a firm, powerful voice and wonderfully communicating both tragedy and madness. Michael made a strapping Banquo (seated, above), a young bass who moves well and possesses a rich and focused voice. His scene with his son was especially touching.

As Lady Macbeth, Michele Capalbo lusted for power with an exciting, flexible coloratura voice, one that soared easily through the rich Verdian textures without becoming shrill. In the pit, Russian conductor Edvard Tchivzhel balanced the dramatic trombones and crashing timpani against those long Italianate themes, and the chorus sang superbly.

And here's news: Artistic director Tom Bankston announced that the featured star for their annual opera gala next year will be Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone James Morris. The gala, with James Morris in recital, will be May 15 and 17, 2009.

Next season will open with "Turandot" (Oct. 18, 24 and 26), followed by "The Elixir of Love" (Feb. 14, 20 and 22); and "The Merry Widow" (March 28, April 3 and 5). So far, casting includes soprano Robin Follman as Turandot, Dongwon Shin as Calaf, and in Elixir, tenor Scott Piper as Nemorino.

The company puts on next "The Barber of Seville," opening March 29. You don't want to miss this year's opera gala, starring Angela Brown with the Wilberforce University Choir, May 2 and 4.

For ticket or other info, visit www.daytonopera.org.

Photo by Scott J. Kimmins