Massenet's Thais

A recent concert performance at the Royal opera House gave a chance to hear Massenet's rarely performed opera "Thais" This was the opera's first performance at Covent Garden since 1926 and the first by the Royal Opera.

Although the scenes of the opera, ranging from the banks of the Nile to Alexandria and an oasis in the desert, really call for extravagant sets and exotic costumes, I was quite happy that this was a concert performance. It prevented a director transferring its setting to a Glasgow tenement and a concert performance allows everyone, performers and audience, to concentrate exclusively on the music. Massenet's music is so rich and atmospheric, scenery and costumes were hardly missed.

The opera tells of the ascetic monk Athanael who cannot stop thinking of the beautiful courtesan Thais and sets off to Alexandria to convert her. So successful is he that she decides to give up her fleshly life and retire to a convent. Having left her at the convent Athanael realises that his interest her was not as spiritual as he thought it was. Rushing to be with her, he finds her dying and as he proclaims his worldly love for her she dies, wishing only to be with God.

The theme was very popular in the nineteenth century and indeed retains a fascination even in these more secular times. Remember the story of Father Brown and his topless housekeeper?

I was very pleased to encounter again Jospeh Calleja as Nicias the 'young sybarite'. This is a voice that has appreciable weight to it and a fine cutting edge that really takes it out into the house. This was a considerable performance that made me wonder if he is not becoming ripe for some rather heavier repertoire.

The monk Athanael was to have been sung by Thomas Hampson but he was ill. Simone Alberghini substituted. He looked good and sang competently but did not really carry the vocal firepower for such a leading role in this company.

In the title role there was a star performance from Renee Fleming. This is a part that matches her talents better than any other I have heard her sing. There were moments of the throaty delivery that I know troubles some but at other times the voice absolutely soared. Everything she sang was sung with conviction and her top notes were totally thrilling. She also wore two fabulous frocks: scarlet for her days as a courtesan and restrained cream as she moved towards the cloister and death.

Andrew Davis conducted the orchestra and chorus of the Royal Opera House with great elan.

This was an evening of huge enjoyment with an unforgettable performance form Fleming.