Future looks bright as opera group stages performance full of quality

It’s a long process but Tayside Opera are getting there as their goal, a full-staged, fully-fledged production, isn’t far away, writes Garry Fraser.

The infrastructure and sponsorship is in place, they have an excellent accompanist in Robert Duncan and shrewd musical directorship in Richard Johnston.

Their current production of Verdi’s Nabucco illustrated the society’s gathering momentum, covering all bases with performances in four different venues – Birnam, Brechin, St Andrews and Dundee.

I saw their St Andrews production in Holy Trinity Church and I was most impressed and not surprised by the quality of performance.

The chorus proved you don’t need big numbers to make a fine sound, whether it be the soft reflective Hebrew Chorus or the remonstrations of a Babylonian host. The soloists were without a weakness.

Russell Malcolm in the title role started off quietly but soon came into his own, particularly a powerful opening scene of Act 4, while Moira Docherty’s Abigaille was outstanding, a coloratura role par excellence with her finest hour the first scene in Act 2.

Zaccaria needs a forceful presence and Alister Allan gave us that, and with these three coupled with a fine young tenor in Michael Doroszenco (Ismaele) and a wonderful mezzo in Barbara Scott (Fenena), casting future shows should pose few problems.

The fact there are many able singers for smaller roles is another string to the society’s bow.

As I said, the future’s rosy, so there’s every chance the next time you will see Tayside Opera it will be on a stage near you.