Above: Christine Goerke as Marie, Maestro Andris Nelsons on the podium, and baritone Bo Skovhus as Wozzeck; photo by Steve J Sherman, courtesy of Carnegie Hall
~ Author: Oberon
Tuesday March 15th, 2022 - The Boston Symphony Orchestra presenting a concert performance of Alban Berg's WOZZECK at Carnegie Hall, conducted by the BSO's Music Director, Andris Nelsons.
There were several elements that drew me to this performance: first, there's the score itself, and the opportunity to hear the Bostonians play it - which they did with glistening power and spine-tingling subtlety - under Maestro Nelsons' masterful baton. Then there was the intriguing cast, featuring two singers who were making return appearances in New York City after long absences: Bo Skovhus (Wozzeck) and Franz Hawlata (The Doctor). Last, but certainly far from least: Christine Goerke was singing Marie.
Above: Bo Skovhus as Wozzeck; photo by Steve J Sherman
Mr. Skovhus made a welcome return to the New York scene, scoring a great success tonight as Wozzeck. He debuted at the Met in 1998 and last appeared there in 2009. I didn't see him at The Met, but I did hear him in recital at Tanglewood years ago. An intense singing-actor, Mr. Skovhus brought Berg's tragic character to life thru his vivid declamation of the text and the surety of his singing. His swift downward spiral into complete madness was fascinating to behold...and to hear.
Above: Christine Goerke as Marie, with Linus Schafer Goulthorpe as her son; photo by Steve J Sherman
As Marie, Ms. Goerke developed the complex character persuasively, veering from maternal warmth to sex-mad sleaziness to deep guilt and remorse with complete naturalness of expression. Her singing was strong and incisive, with her unpredictable high range alternately effortful and blazing forth. Ms. Goerke was the only singer to use a score, either at a music stand or thru pages she carried with her. This was an unfortunate distraction to her otherwise compelling performance.
Above: Toby Spence as the Captain and Franz Hawlata as the Doctor; photo by Steve J Sherman
Franz Hawlata, whose Met career encompassed Baron Ochs, Sarastro, and Fasolt, was also heard there as the Doctor in WOZZECK in Hildegard Behrens' final Met performances in 1999; Mr. Hawlata's last sang at The Met in 2001. Tonight, some 20 years on, he sounded wonderfully authoritative, making the most of every word and note. As his sidekick, the Captain, tenor Toby Spence's voice at first seemed too light-weight for the role; but he soon persuaded us otherwise with his creepy lyricism and pungent diction. In the opera's penultimate scene, where the Doctor and the Captain are out for a stroll by the lake where Wozzeck has murdered Marie, Mssrs. Hawlata and Spence appeared at the foot of the stage; on hearing the death moans of the drowning Wozzeck, the two rushed up the aisle in terror.
Above: Renée Tatum as Margret, Linus Schafer Goulthorpe as the Child, and Christine Goerke as Marie; photo by Steve J Sherman
Renée Tatum made a deliciously dishy Margret, savouring her Swabia song. Christoper Ventris was a handsome, strong-toned Drum Major, swaggering and full of himself, and tenor Mauro Peter displayed a very pleasing Italianate voice as Andres.
As the two Apprentices, bass-baritone Zachary Altman and baritone David Kravitz, were scene-stealingly splendid and sang very well indeed. Alex Richardson sang the eerie lines of The Fool effectively, and boy-soprano Linus Schafer Goulthorpe was outstanding as the hapless young son of Wozzeck and Marie; his playmates in the final scene took their roles seriously, and with complete assurance, speaking their lines clearly.
The magnificent playing of the Boston Symphony Orchestra wove for us a spectacular sound tapestry; Maestro Nelsons brought out Berg's myriad textures, and the orchestra's wonderful principals made their solo opportunities glow.
I have been very fortunate in my WOZZECK experiences over the years, and tonight's performance was truly rewarding.
~ Oberon