Queen of Spades Plays Out Well

“Queen of Spades” Plays Out Well
By Wes Hessel and Leonard James S. Johnson

The Lyric Opera’s performance of the less-often produced, dark drama by Tchaikovsky is a study in the journey of devolvement one takes in unbridled obsession. It is the story of Gherman, a soldier who dwells on the secret to winning at cards, said to be held by an elderly countess, and on his love for a woman he has seen but does not know, who turns out to be the countess’ granddaughter, Lisa, and who is betrothed to a prince. Gherman’s pursuit of both leads to disaster for him and his lady love.

Through the mostly gloomily-set opera, the one ray of light (almost literally) falls on the soprano Sondra Radvanovsky in her beautiful portrayal of Lisa. Her light is matched in the darkness shown in the characterization of Gherman by tenor Brandon Jovanovich, as well as the great vocal and acting work by the rest of the cast, including a charming children’s chorus. The intensity of the material is occasionally offset by welcome small moments of humor, yet they in no way interrupt the inevitable flow of the downward spiral this production depicts in terrible beauty. The dramatization includes interesting elements such as the countess’ portrait displayed as the overture plays, at first showing the lady in her young beauty, then aging to her appearance in the opera.

“Queen of Spades” is a tragedy of epic proportions, as one would expect from the genius of Tchaikovsky, with demanding singing and great orchestration of the master, as always excellently performed by the Lyric’s instrumentalists. It is an opera of some length – a total of three hours and forty-five minutes, including two twenty-five minute intermissions, but it is well worth the investment of time, and it runs only through March 1st, so proceed with haste to see this incisive work; for tickets or more information, please visit www.lyricopera.org 

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