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During the intermission
for the opera I Dream, which had its world premiere
last weekend, courtesy of the Toledo Opera and the Valentine
Theatre, audience members could be overheard marveling at
how wonderful the production had been in the first act – the
music, the singing, the choreography, were all praised
effusively. Then the unexpected happened in the second act –
the opera got better.
There is, in fact, a scene
in the second act that takes place in a jail cell occupied
by Martin (Derrick Davis), Hosea (Victor Ryan Robertson) and
Ralph (Ken Overton) and that occurs after the Selma march.
The scene might well be the highlight of the show. The three
argue about the tactics being employed in the voting rights
fight. Hosea, who is never totally convinced of the merits
of non-violence, expresses his doubts that love will conquer
all in an aria that Robertson delivers in his wonderful
tenor that seems to settle the question. Martin, not to be
second-guessed in his view that non-violence is the answer,
then replies in an aria that allows Davis’ voice to soar to
the heavens ending with the phrase “let freedom ring.” The
audience had expressed their approval of the Hosea aria
enthusiastically but the Martin reply brought the house
down.
I Dream
is a triumph. The music is delightful, powerful, expressive
and left this audience member wondering where a recording
could be found. The story of the last 36 hours of King’s
life as he reflects back on his childhood, his college days,
the triumphs of the Montgomery bus boycott and the Selma
march, the disappointment when he feels that his life has
lost meaning, is mesmerizing, and the pace of the opera is
breathtaking with not a dull moment in the production, it
just moves smartly along.
The five guest artists are
fabulous – Davis, Overton and Robertson, as noted. Laquita
Mitchell as Coretta is a soprano whose voice has power and
warmth. Mitchell has become a regular visitor to the Glass
City. Two years ago she sang Bess in the Toledo Opera’s
Porgy and Bess and last year in The Marriage of
Figaro, she sang the role of Countess.
Rounding out the slate of
guest artists is Krysty Swann, an acclaimed mezzo-soprano
who sang the role of Grandma, appearing in Martin’s early
and late reflections on his life.
The guest artists are
indeed fabulous but kudos also to the local singers and
dancers who were critical parts of the show’s success, a
number of whom sang a variety of roles.
The Toledo Opera’s
production of I Dream, the creation of
composer/librettist Douglas Tappin, directed by Daniel
Goldstein and conducted by Carl Marsh, is a remarkable
production but not without a major flaw – it’s over. Gone
after one short weekend, leaving thousands of Toledoans
without the opportunity to see and hear, leaving many of
those who did see and hear it wishing they could do so
again.
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