Most definitely, the Ballet and Opera Experimental Studio Ludovic Spiess has had the most premieres this season, at the National Opera of Bucharest. On Wednesday, 16 March 2011, the Yellow Foyer could barely accommodate those eager to watch Gaetano Donizetti's Rita for the first time in Romania.

Inspired choices

All choices were inspired; the score deserved to be included in the Rare Opera Project, not much was lost of the clean Donizettian writing by substituting the orchestra with a piano, the modest cast and the vocality specific to opera buffa were more appropriate for the modest space and rather hectic acoustics of the location than the Verdian or verist operas. The artists matched their characters vocally, physically and spiritually; soprano Rodica Vică made a confident and vocally brilliant lead - the volunteer and emancipated Rita; tenor Ovidiu Ciucuriţă was irresistible on stage and successfully performed the not at all easy vocal score of the terrorized husband- Beppe, and baritone Vasile Chişiu made a convincing 'macho' as the first husband, Gasparo. Another complete cast - made up of fresh graduates of post-graduates - will perform on 30 March.

Youth and novelty

Let us return to yesterday's premiere, where there were pleasant and skillful singing and dancing, accompanied by piano player Lidia Butnariu. Apart from an innovative piece, the youth of the producers made the show all the more exciting. I am talking not only about vocalists, but also about director Cătălin Voineag, and beginner stage designer Dragoş Abagiu and Maria Popa - stage movement - those that put together a modern interpretation, full of vitality and spice.