Did Stravinsky really hate his father, who was a prominent opera singer back in Mother Russia? Is this why the composer claimed for so many years to hate opera? And isn't it, therefore, one of the oddities of music history that the opera-hating Stravinsky ended up writing "The Rake's Progress," one of the few musical works for the stage to become a staple of the repertory in the second half of the 20th century?
However one answers such questions, it seems sensible that the Stravinsky festival, a collaboration of the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra that runs for the next two weeks, has as its centerpiece a concert version of "The Rake" with Edo de Waart leading the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Chorale and a flock of first-rate soloists.
Thursday's performance at the Ordway Center was a happy one. Recent appearances there by De Waart, 68, the Minnesota Orchestra's former music director, have been memorable. Next season he becomes an artistic partner of the SPCO, which he is conducting for the first time this week.
DeWaart's considerable experience conducting opera was apparent Thursday night. In this apotheosis of neo-classical style, Stravinsky's quirky rhythms zig-zagged with jolting wit. Tempos seemed unfailingly right -- propulsive but not forced. Although this was a concert presentation, the whole evening took on an impressive dramatic shape and color, from the buoyant opening scenes to the dark, despairing finale, where our hero, Tom, the rake, sits demented and deranged in Bedlam.
This was partly due to the excellence of the cast members, who managed not only to relate to one another while standing in front of their music stands but to create believable characters. Continually impressive was William Burden in the title role, displaying a sweet tenor that took on a heroic ring in the climaxes and drawing a compelling, chameleonic character throughout. Heidi Stober was the vocally radiant Anne Trulove, Peter Coleman-Wright the subtle but sinister Nick Shadow, and mezzo Nancy Maultsby a foxy Baba the Turk. Kevin Langan, Judith Christin and Joseph Gaines were excellent in smaller roles, and the always fine Minnesota Chorale brought expert musicianship to the tricky choral parts.
Michael Anthony is a former Star Tribune music critic.
