Rossini's La Scala di Seta
(The Silken Ladder)
Rossini's La Scala di Seta (The Silken Ladder) was first performed in 1812, the third of the five farse (farces) which the 18-year-old Rossini composed for the Teatro San Moisè in Venice. These early gems met with considerable success in Venice and Milan and clearly display Rossini's innate talent for musical comedy.
Cast and production
Conductor: Orlando Jopling
Direction, Set and Lighting Design: Alessandro Talevi
Costume Design: Cordelia Chisholm
Associate Lighting Designer: Rachel Nicolson
Giulia: Lorina Gore
Germano: Franck Lopez
Dorvil: Jose Aparicio
Blansac: Philip Kay
Lucilla: Anna Wall
Dormont: David Murphy
Orchestra:
Ivo Stankov (leader)
Violins: Ivana Chetkovic, Sara Lange, Jessika Boyd, Carolyn Frenkel, Todor Nikolaev
Violas: Natalia Gomes, Maya Rasooly
Violoncellos: Rosie Bankes, Jane Jewel
Double Bass: Ben Griffiths
Flutes: Emma Williams, Daniel Parkin
Oboes: Jeremy Foster, Alice Pullen
Clarinets: Jordi Pons, Melanie Foster
Bassoon: Katharine Wilson
French Horns: Evgeny Chebykin, Kate Goldsmith
Reviews
"The 20-piece orchestra played the celebrated overture with a merry lilt, and Orlando Jopling maintained a good balance between stage and pit; the performance had obviously been thoroughly rehearsed."
Opera Magazine Jan 2006
"One can only wish such a venture good fortune - more productions are planned."
Opera Jan 2006
"Talevi directed, as well as designing the set and lighting. His stage was sparsely furnished, with a large white 1950's-style chaise longue in the centre surrounded by a series of translucent angled screens that provided an ideal setting for the opera's farcical denouement. The lighting was atmospheric, with emphasis on strong, primary colours."
Opera Now Jan/Feb 2006
"Gore's voice has stellar potential ... her deft characterisation of Giulia, by turns naive and knowing, was excellent."
Opera Now Jan/Feb 2006
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