Lucas Levy, as Monastatos, costumed like an extra from Aladdin, was appropriately scuzzy in behavior while vocally forward and strong.
“Tenor Lucas Levy had plenty of power and sympathy as Raymond, Joan’s unsuccessful suitor and her supporter throughout the opera.”
Maryland Lyric Opera rose from the pandemic ashes in splendid form on Friday night. In the young company’s first live performance since February of 2020, an excellent cast gave an expansive concert rendition of Puccini’s Turandot in the Music Center at Strathmore. Music director Louis Salemno presided over the oceanic sound of a large orchestra and chorus that filled the hall to thrilling effect.
Lucas Levy, as Monastatos, costumed like an extra from Aladdin, was appropriately scuzzy in behavior while vocally forward and strong.
For the first time in my experience, Dr. Caius dominated the first scene vocally; Lucas Levy’s powerful projection should qualify him for Slavic opera’s ‘leading character’ parts.