In a night that felt more like theatrical excavation than conventional concert, The Smyths orchestra delivered something truly extraordinary at the Barbican's Silk Street Theatre. Under the masterful baton of their founder, they resurrected Ottorino Respighi's long-neglected one-act opera Lucrezia, transforming what could have been a mere historical curiosity into a pulsating, fully-realised drama.
A Forgotten Gem Resurrected
Respighi's 1937 work, completed just months before his death, has languished in relative obscurity for decades. Yet The Smyths approached it not as museum piece, but as living, breathing theatre. The performance unfolded with such dramatic intensity that the absence of traditional staging became irrelevant.
The orchestra itself became the primary storyteller, with conductor and musicians alike fully embodying the score's visceral emotional landscape. From the opening bars, it was clear this would be no ordinary concert performance.
Vocal Powerhouse Takes Centre Stage
Soprano Jennifer France delivered a tour de force performance in the demanding title role. Her voice navigated Respighi's complex vocal lines with both power and nuance, capturing Lucrezia's tragic arc from noble virtue to devastating violation with heartbreaking authenticity.
The male quartet supporting her provided a robust foundation, their voices intertwining in the score's rich harmonies while maintaining distinct characterisation that brought the ancient Roman tragedy vividly to life.
More Than Music - Total Theatre
What set this performance apart was its complete commitment to drama. The musicians played with a theatricality that transcended typical concert conventions, their physical engagement with the music adding layers of meaning to the unfolding tragedy.
The evening opened with a compelling performance of Ethel Smyth's Der Wald, creating a fascinating dialogue between two composers working at different ends of the operatic spectrum. The contrast highlighted just how innovative Respighi's late style had become.
A Triumph for London's Music Scene
This wasn't just another night at the opera - it was a statement about what's possible when visionary musicians approach forgotten works with fresh eyes and boundless imagination. The Smyths have demonstrated that some treasures aren't lost, merely waiting for the right interpreters to reveal their brilliance.
For London's classical music lovers, it served as a powerful reminder that the most exciting performances often come from looking backward to move forward, rediscovering gems that deserve their place in the contemporary repertoire.
