NUVO REVIEW (Indianapolis) to be published Thursday, March 2

Thornton Wilder’s <Our Town>: Opera by Ned Rorem

5 stars

Indiana University Opera Theater, Musical Arts Center, Jordan Ave. Continues March 3-4 at 8:00 p.m. Pre-show talk at 7:00 p.m. Tickets $20-$35. Call 812-333-9955 or Ticketmaster.com. music.indiana.edu.

Simply exquisite.

Wilder’s play, Ned Rorem’s music, J.D.McClatchy’s libretto fuse for a new work to stand on its own. The IU Opera Theater world premier on Feb. 23 set the standard for embracing and extending the stunning theatricality surrounding the play’s 1938 premiere.

Wilder’s vision is here served by 21st century technology. The elegant scenic, costume and lighting designs, monochromatic and uncluttered, are at one with the incisive libretto and gossamer score. The characters’ essential qualities and their unfolding stories reach us through constantly shifting rests and notes so closely matched to speech it seems this always has been an opera. McClatchy conveys the play’s delightful inside jokes and core wisdom pared to 12 characters and a chorus of 16.

Wit and surprises mark Rorem’s music, in instrumental pairings emanating from landscape, weather shifts, time passing, and most essentially, emotions revealed, hidden, examined. Savored moments, nevertheless must make way for the next in the onslaught of life. Yet, an audience member will leave with memories as intimate as if one’s own.

The Act I close, as George grapples in wordless intensity to identify and form his stirrings of love and desire toward Emily is as wonderful as any soaring aria. Abiding faith dwells in McClatchy’s and Rorem’s mastery of the understated.

The young cast’s abilities to carry the message, the orchestra player’s mastery of the score, the graphic designer’s light touch support Vincent Liotta’s deft stage direction.

Do not miss this production.  --RK