UK Theatre Network

Written as an adaptation of an 1860s Alsace love story,  L’amico Fritz is the tale of a wealthy bachelor Fritz (Eric Margiore) and his determination to avoid the married state.

 It’s Fritz’s birthday, and his friends and adoring staff are ready to celebrate. There seems to be no end to his good deeds, helping orphans such as talented violinist Beppe (Patricia Orr) or providing dowries requested by  matchmaking Rabbi (David Stephenson ). Though Fritz is happy to help, he  has no wish to change his bachelor ways, that is until he meets  an old friends daughter Suzel
( Anna Leese).

 This work is Pietro Mascagni’s follow up to earlier  success with Cavalleria Rusticana, and also a  departure. When  first performed L’amico  did respectably well, but by then Puccini was on the scene and attracting lots of attention with good plots and great drama.

 Opera Holland Park's revival  for this sweet if somewhat flimsy love story works well within its defined terms.  Director Annilese Miskimmon’s  decision to set it in the 1950s gave an anchor to the story. Designer Nicky Shaw followed this by creating  a Mad Men style office complete with bosom heaving secretaries, then taking us to white picket fence country side. The change of scenery shows Fritz fall in love completely with Suzel.

Much is made of folding the set into a house with full complement of carpenters a drilling a roof on in situ. The audience applauded, but it seemed to be a time filler.

Orchestration was tight and well conducted by Stuart Stratford to deliver a faultless performance of a dreamy, romantic score. 

All leads were in good voice with Anna Leese’s Suzel just innocent enough responses hooking the reluctant  Fritz. Leese and Eric Margiore were nicely paired but there was not quite enough  charisma portrayed to believe all his staff were falling over themselves to be with him. Margiore’s Fritz seemed oblivious to all the admiration.

Throughout the Second and Third acts we witness Fritz’s internal struggles against romance, but as he has no other obstacles to surmount,  the inevitable outcome does not make the plot very memorable.

This revival is charming and entertaining, perfect for a summers eve, but may explain why productions of it are a rarity.

 June 10, 15, 17, 21, 23, 25 at 8pm.
www.operahollandpark.com