Lucrezia Borgia – Storyhouse, Chester

Oozing intrigue, darkly dramatic and set against a backdrop of 14th century Italy, English Touring Opera bring all they have to the party in this production.

Composed by Gaetano Donizetti – whose opera works are often overlooked in the canon – this 1833 offering focuses on historical figure, Lucrezia Borgia. Surrounded by myth and misadventure, the opera provides an interpretation of her life. Is this femme fatale wrongly recorded in the history books? Or is she as scheming and murderous as the archives make out?

Directed by Eloise Lally and conducted by Gerry Cornelius, this Lucrezia Borgia quickly absorbs the audience. The curtain rises to show what initially looks like a simple set, with a full moon in the distance and a decorative gondola in the foreground.

However, you soon realise the staging has as many hidden secrets as the opera itself.

Gennaro (Thomas Elwin) and his friends discuss their impending visit to Ferrara where Lucrezia Borgia, the wife of the city’s ruler, is based. Orsini (Katie Coventry) recounts a foreboding tale to stay away from the Borgias and that he and Gennaro will die together, drawing the audience in.

There is no let-up in tension once it gets going.

Gennaro’s friends disperse, and it is then that Lucrezia Borgia (Paula Sides) first makes an appearance. Lally frames her with dualling aspects. There is a tender, maternal side and a murderous, vengeful villainy to her Borgia.

Despite her reputation preceding her there is sometimes an underlying sense that perhaps Lucrezia is misunderstood, a victim of something you can’t quite put your finger on.

The staging in this production makes clever use of the resources to hand. The whole performance is based around an adaptable backdrop – this begins by looking like pillars against the night sky and converts into the Borgia’s residence by the sliding across of ornate iron looking gates and stained-glass panels.

The scene change to add the gates on lingers a little, but it doesn’t impact the experience of the overall performance. In a smaller-space theatre, this is an imposing set. A sense of the grandeur of 14th century Italy is conveyed with clarity. The timing of the subtitles can be confusing on a couple of occasions, however, and this does break the engagement with the performance.

Whilst the staging is ambitious, it is fitting for an opera which is vocally demanding. This is an opera of endurance as much as range.

Sides is magnificent from the moment she sets foot on stage. Her voice glides effortlessly and the tone holds a tenderness that complements the more humane side of Lucrezia Borgia. Matching the standard, Elwin’s vocals carry the depths of the character as well as the meeting the demands of the style.

The chemistry between the cast is joyful to watch and evident throughout, particularly between Elwin and Coventry. Their scenes together are mesmerising. Overall, English Touring have breathed new life into Lucrezia Borgia and give a performance loaded with tension and anticipation. 

Reviewer: Ezzy LaBelle

Reviewed: 31st March 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★