By MIKE DUNHAM
The audience seemed powerfully entertained by “The Power of Love,” a selection of show-stoppers from various operas presented in concert. For this program Anchorage Opera brought in some strong talent from out-of-town: Erin Wood drew bravos from the Discovery Theatre crowd with “Vissi d’arte” as did John Ken Nuzzo with “Nessun Dorma.”
John Nuzzo: He lost the tie for "La donna e mobile."
But locals supplied some of the best moments, notably Anastasia Jamieson in the final trio from “Faust” and as Sophie in the trio from “Der Rosenkavalier.” She was joined in the first by Nuzzo and Anchorage Opera General Manager Torrie Allen, but hers was the exemplary voice in the ensemble. It remained so in the “Rosenkavalier” trio, in which she was joined by Nancy Caudill (Octavian) and Wood.
Bateman, Caudill and Egan: Drawing laughs with their Habanera.
Marlene Bateman sang a fine and compelling “Mon Coeur s’ovra a ta voix” from “Samson et Delila.” Kate Egan supplied some levity with her campy “Art is Calling for Me” and again in a three-diva arrangement of the Habanera from “Carmen” with Caudill and Bateman. With such touches the program moved quickly – less than two hours with intermission – and smoothly.
Kate Egan: Her version of "Art is Calling for Me" included a reference to Sarah Palin.
The instrumentation was beefed up compared to some orchestras we’ve heard in the pit. But it wasn’t really big enough for the Wagner selections, “Dich teure halle” from “Tannhauser” and the “Liebestod” from “Tristan and Isolde,” both featuring Wood. It may have been the first time either of these has been performed with orchestra here – though it turns out that the “Rosenkavalier” trio was previously performed last summer in Fairbanks. But the violins, in particular, struggled, as did the winds at points. The lower strings, however, came through beautifully.
Erin Wood: First Anchorage performances of Wagner pieces.
An organ came through far too much. First heard in the Intermezzo from “Cavalleria Rusticana,” where it added some heft to the strings, in the “Faust” chorus its bass distorted to such an extent that it sounded like the thumpa-thumpa woofer in a bypassing truck playing some rap number at top volume. Let’s hope that’s addressed before the next show.
Andrew Sweeney: and the beefed-up Anchorage Opera Orchestra.
The program ended with all hands on stage for the Easter chorus from “Cavalleria,” Wood again with the solo. There was a long standing ovation that might have gone on longer had the house lights not gone up while the cast was still taking bows and someone – I think it may have been conductor Andrew Sweeney – calling out, “You can go home now.”

The program will be repeated on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday. Tickets are available at centertix.net.