FESTIVAL REVIEW
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CLASSICAL
LA GATTA CENERENTOLA THE CAT CINDERELLA
The Italian theme has not been particularly strongly represented in the musical side of this year‘s l‘estival. but if all we had were Roberto de Simone‘s ‘l.a (latta (‘cnerentola‘ it would have been worthwhile. This remarkable show seemed to embrace all aspects of southern Italian culture:
religion and table. poverty
and extravagance. cruel violence and exhilarating joie de vivre. The music too blended a wide range of periods and styles. from Ioth-century villanellc. throung baroque opera to more recent Italian popular song. The whole rich pageant was splendidly sung and performed by dc Simone's company with full- blooded and. at times. overwhelming commitment. They were accompanied by an orchestra of forty-strong which. ifnot always impeccable in intonation. welled up with music which was unmistakeably Neapolitan in its forthrightness.
The basic story was the well~known one of (‘indcrella in its 17th century Neapolitan version. but retold in an original manner and incorporating elements from popular culture. local religious cults and old fables. An overall surrealistic flavour. together with its ironic view of popular religion. reminded one of Fellini‘s films. It could onlyhavc been played. as indeed it was. in Neapolitan dialect which meant that most of the coarse humour ofthe piece was lost on the majority of the audience. There were subtitles. but these confined themselves to essential dialogue: it was a pity that more was not translated for us. It isa tribute to the enormous vitality ofthe show that this high level of incomprehension. as well as its overall extended length. seemed not to lessen the obvious appreciation with which it was received. One would have given much to have understood it all!
(Noel ()‘Regan)
I La Gatta Cenerentola was performed at the Kings Theatre. Edinburgh. as part of the International Festival between 25 and 27 August.
FESTIVAL MUSIC
FESTIVAL OF BRITISH YOUTH ORCHESTRAS
Any preconceived notions that the Fringe isonly about theatre are immediately dispelled by a visit to ( ‘entral Hall at Tollcross where over 20 youth orchestras front various areas of Britain. along with 2 guest orchestras from abroad. are giving a grand total of 33 performances. Catering for all tastes this festival within a festival offers both popular classics Iissex Youth ()rchestra‘s stirringand exhilarating performance of Beethoven‘s ‘('horal' Symphony with Jubilo of lidinburgh and Nottingham Youth Orchestra's rendition of Brahms‘ Violin (‘oncerto with the IS yearold (‘athcrine Manson braver and masterfully undertaking the soloist part at 3 days' notice -- as well as rarely performed works such as l.an‘s ‘Symphonie Espagnolc’ and (ilazunov‘s SaXophone (‘oncerto Interesting new works have included Scott Stroman's realisation of Tchaikovsky's 1812 ()verture for Jazz Band and String Quartet and (lregson's'l‘rombonc Concerto. Still to come are Weber's (‘oncertino for (‘larinet and ()rchestra. the premiere of Edward Harper's ‘Vivaldlana for Strings”. [.othian Schools Strathspey and Reel Society With the closing concert on Saturday evening given by the Strathclyde Schools Symphony ()rchestra. Even in the more technically demanding works the standard of these young players is generally incredibly high and with free admission for students. children and unemployed and reasonable prices for adults and pensioners. as ever these concerts offer some of the best value for money on this year‘s Fringe.(l3ridgct Caldwell) I Festival at British Youth
Orchestra (‘entral Hall. 'l‘ollcross(\’enue IIXI) 2297937. Until 3 Sept. 13.30pm (except 3 Sept) and 7.30pm. Lunchtime concertsil ‘. evening£3. ()Al’s £1.5tlzchildren/ students’unemployed I‘RliLi admission to all performances.
HIGHLIGHTS
I Nixon in China (EIF), Playhouse, Greenside Place. 1, 3 and 5 September. 7.30pm. 23.50—216. Credit card sales: 225 5756. New work with music by American minimalist John Adams, directed by Peter Sellars, based on President Nixon's visitto Peking in 1972. Opera at this year’s Festival has been thin. Maybe this will make up tor it.
I Strathclyde Schools Symphony Orchestra (Fr). Central Hall. Tollcross. Saturday 3. 7.30pm. £3 (OAPs £1.50/lree). 229 7937. Bringing the Festival at British Youth Orchestras to a close. this west coast orchestra makes a welcome return. With conductor John Lubbock their standard is phenomenal and it's a good programme too- Tchaikvosky Symphony No
' 4, Barber‘s Adagio and
Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten.
I BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Members in Recital (Fr), Beid Concert Hall. Teviot Bow. Saturday 3. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets at door. 24 (£3). Unusual to tlnd proiessional musicians on the Fringe, but here they are withthe string orchestra. Serenata. in the aitemoon playing Mozart, Britten and Elgar and the BBC Scottish Brass Ensemble in the evenlng giving the premiere ota work by the renowned pianist. John Ogdon.
I Verdi Requiem (EIF), Usher Hall, Lothlan Boad.1 and 3 September. 8pm. 25.504215. Credit card sales: 225 5756. James Conlon conducts the Orchestra at the Maggie Musicale of Florence with the Edinburgh Festival Chorus.
22 The List 2 — 15 September 1988