The Victorian Opera’s production of “La Rondine” (“The Swallow”), written by Giacomo Puccini, was an incredible experience. This production featured the remarkable Australian opera singer Kiandra Howarth, who has not performed in Victoria for a long time. It is a special occasion as her 94-year-old grandmother will attend both of her performances to see her perform for the first time.
Kiandra Howarth played Magda, the titular swallow, and she was phenomenal. An Australian lyric soprano, her voice and acting were impeccable. Howarth graduated with a Bachelor of Music from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 2010. She then became a company artist at Opera Australia and is currently with the Staatsoper Hannover. Her portrayal of Magda was genuinely captivating.
Another principal character, Lisette, Magda’s maid, was played by Nina Korbe. An award-winning soprano, Korbe has appeared in Opera Queensland’s productions of “La Bohème,” “Die Fledermaus,” “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” “Peter Grimes,” and Verdi’s Requiem. She has also performed as a soloist with Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, Queensland Ballet, Southern Cross Soloists, and the Goldner String Quartet. Korbe, a proud Koa Kuju Yanlaji Waka Waka woman, champions Indigenous voices and brings depth, humour and charm to her role as Lisette.
Won Whi Choi played Ruggero, the main love interest in “La Rondine.” Choi’s lustrous voice, elegant musicianship, and sensitive artistry have captivated audiences worldwide. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2020 as Alfredo in “La Traviata” to rave reviews. He was set to return for productions of “Maria Stuarda” and “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” Choi’s performance in this production was no exception; his portrayal of Ruggero was heartfelt and powerful.
The production itself was a unique blend of elegance and simplicity. The sets, with their stunning design, evoked a modern Paris that seemed to exist outside of time. The characters, dressed in contemporary styles that seamlessly melded elements from the 1950s to the 1990s, added a unique charm to the performance.
Attending a production at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda is always a mesmerising experience. The grandeur of the building, with its chandeliers, grand Art Deco architecture, and beautiful marble staircases, is awe-inspiring and complements the grandeur of the opera. It’s a stunning space that marries well with the art form, leaving the audience in awe.
One of the delightful aspects of Puccini’s work is his probable origination of the ‘meet-cute’ trope. ‘La Rondine’ revolves around love, set in a Paris where women dream of meeting a lover who completes them. The opera featured a classic meet-cute scene: a woman in a bar, pursued by multiple men, sits down with a lone man, pretending to meet him, causing the other suitors to leave. This charming trope, now a staple in Hollywood films, was delightful to see in its original form, entertaining the audience.
Puccini’s music, full of cascading trills and beautiful melodies, feels cinematic. His work often feels like classic Hollywood yet is timelessly modern, with sweeping, love-filled narratives. This production of “La Rondine” was a testament to his genius, a fantastic blend of music, narrative, and performance.
The Victorian Opera’s “La Rondine” was a truly outstanding production. With stellar performances by Kiandra Howarth, Nina Korbe, and Won Whi Choi, supported by elegant staging and the enchanting atmosphere of the Palais Theatre, it was an unforgettable experience that showcased the timeless beauty of Puccini’s work.
