Critical Notices for 'Daughter of the Regiment'

Sarah Bryan Miller of the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, Chuck Lavazzi of Operatic Saint Louis (see review one post below), Gerry Kowarsky of Two on the Aisle and Chris Gibson of BroadwayWorld have weighed in on Union Avenue Opera's La fille du Régiment. Here's a sampling of what they had to say:

The Production

"Union Avenue Opera's second offering of the season...is a hard one to cast. ... Artistic director Scott Schoonover assembled a good group of performers. ... Conductor Kostis Protopapas kept things moving brightly, and maintained good communications between stage and pit." --Sarah Bryan Miller

"The second production of [UAO's] 2010 season...is a truly charming piece of work with a pair of leads that I’d put up against anyone on the Opera Theatre of St. Louis stage. ... Conductor Kostis Protopapas does a nice job with the reduced orchestra in what has always seemed to me to be a rather challenging acoustic environment. ... The bottom line is that Union Avenue Opera’s La fille du régiment is a solid production of a lively and tuneful score by one of the masters of bel canto. You couldn’t ask for a better break from the oppressive heat and humidity of a St. Louis summer." --Chuck Lavazzi

"What a treat it was to hear such beautiful singing by [Gregory Schmidt] and by the soprano, Erica Cochran...The production was a winner, especially for its singing." --Gerry Kowarsky

"...Union Avenue Opera has produced a winning combination of mirth and merriment with their staging of this work. ... Kostis Protopapas dynamically conducts the orchestra, guiding the singers and the musicians with skill and precision. Jolly Stewart's stage direction keeps the tone light, and allows for some nice physical business here and there to keep things lively. Patrick Huber's scenery and lighting scheme are both simply, but effectively realized. Lyn DeMoss has also crafted a fine collection of costumes for this military exercise." --Chris Gibson

Erica Cochran

"Soprano Erica Cochran, as Marie, shows a mastery of comic timing and a light, nimble voice that would do credit to a more experienced singer. Coloratura and comedy are difficult enough individually; in combination they can be a major challenge, but Ms. Cochran excels at both." --CL

"Soprano Erica Cochran, as Marie...was pert and perky, and charming throughout. Her voice is light, but she's a true coloratura, with vocal flexibility and high notes to spare." --SBM

"Erica Cochran displays a lovely coloratura soprano voice that's ideally suited for Donizetti's expressive compositions as Marie. Cochran's playful performance is endearing, and she's nicely paired with tenor Gregory Schmidt." --CG

Gregory Schmidt

"Tenor Gregory Schmidt was a standout as Tonio: he has a big, ringing voice with a distinctive timbre of real beauty and the famous nine high Cs in "O mes amis" were absolutely flawless. He's a warm and appealing performer, and should have a great future." --SBM

"[Schmidt's] instrument is clear, accurate, and seamless throughout the role’s rather high tessitura. Opera audience love to hear a tenor bounce high Cs off the back wall and Mr. Schmidt has a head voice that can do just that. The opening night audience couldn’t get enough of it, applauding with gusto after his bravura air “Pour mon âme”— a song reckoned to be one of the most difficult in the repertoire." --CL

"Gregory Schmidt...proves himself quite capable of reaching the high notes this score demands." --CG

David Dillard

"Baritone David Dillard, last seen at UAO as the Police Sergeant in 'Pirates of Penzance,' seems to be making a career out of playing non-commissioned officers; here he was a likeable, vocally secure Sergeant Sulpice." --SBM

"Baritone David Dillard sings the buffo role of Sulpice with appropriate comic gusto and blends nicely with Ms. Cochran and Mr. Schmidt in their trios (“Tous les trios réunis” being the outstanding example)." --CL

Dixie Roberts

"Dixie Roberts is also impeccably funny as the self-consciously upper crust Marquise and while she only gets one really solid air to herself - “Pour une femme de mon nom” in the first scene - she delivers it in fine style." --CL

"Mezzo-soprano Dixie Roberts...played up [her role's] comic possibilities." --SBM

E. Scott Levin

"E. Scott Levin displays his substantial comic skills as the harassed butler Hortensius." --CL

Jolly Stewart

"Director Jolly Stewart has a nice comic cameo turn in the non-singing role of the Duchess of Krakenthorp." --CL

"Director Jolly Stewart is no stranger to St. Louis audiences, but this was her first appearance costumed and bewigged with UAO; she held the stage magisterially in the speaking role of the Duchess of Krakenthorp." --SBM

La fille du Régiment continues running this weekend: Saturday, August 7th (8:00pm) and Sunday, August 8th (3:00pm). Sung in French with projected English supertitles. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit the Union Avenue Opera Website or call 314.361.2881