Benjamin Britten’s comedy opera Albert Herring is the first production in Union Avenue Opera’s 2017 Festival Season. Written in 1947 and directed here by Tim Ocel, it’s the story of a grocer’s son chosen as the town’s May King when all the candidates for queen are deemed unfit. Scott Schoonover conducts, and St. Louis’ very own soprano, Christine Brewer, takes center stage as Lady Billows. Brewer, whose lungs could blow out the windows of the Sydney Opera House, let alone the delicate rose windows of the Union Avenue Christian Church, is a presence here. Funny, haughty and larger than life, she was a joy to watch even though I longed for more traditional tonal harmony in the score.
In the title role, David Walton makes a strong UAO stage debut, as does Janara Kellerman, who gives a powerful performance as Herring’s mother. Other members of the impressive cast include mezzo-soprano Debra Hillabrand as Florence Pike, David Dillard, Anthony Heinemann and Mark Freiman.
Kyra Bishop designed the set, which is a feast for the eyes, alternating between a floral living room, a vividly stocked grocery store and the site of the Loxford May Day celebration. The perfectly British lunch table groans beneath the weight of cakes, biscuits and even a pink blancmange.
Union Avenue’s 2017 season—its 23rd—continues with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel (July 28 and 29, Aug. 4 and 5) and Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel (Aug. 18, 19, 25 and 26).
Pictured at top: The cast of Albert Herring
Photo: John Lamb