Houston Grand Opera calls it “a surreal and mesmerizing theatrical spectacle.” In this production of Handel’s Messiah, not only has Mozart arranged it (and, of course, changed things up a bit) but the late Robert Wilson has imposed if not narrative structure, then at least some eye-popping moments to hold onto.
As HGO describes it: An astronaut wanders among the chorus. A lobster is on a leash held by a mannequin without a head. A bale of hay plays with a young girl.
Chinese soprano Ying Fang is considered one of the world’s leading interpreters of Mozart, who she calls “a titan of a piece of the Baroque style.” She has sung Messiah several times before with, for instance, the Houston Symphony Orchestra in a concert years ago and with the Philadelphia Orchestra as well.
The difference this time is the staging which she describes as “stylish. Very simple but beautiful.
Another difference, she said, is that “this version is actually Mozart’s version. Mozart rearranged Handel’s Messiah and he also rearranged the orchestration so the color is different and also he reassigned a couple numbers to different voice types.
“For instance, the soprano’s famous number ‘Rejoice Greatly’ is now assigned to a tenor. And then some of the tenor’s recits and arias like “Behold and See’ is now mine. It’s interesting how Mozart thought how particular voices should sing.”
Others in the production include countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, tenor Ben Bliss and bass-baritone Nicholas Newton. Alexis Fousekis as the dancer. HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers conducts.
New York-based Fang grew up in China where singing competitions are very popular. When she was 12 or 13 she went to a regional competition and won and immediately her parents were ready to sign her up for lessons.
She applied for entrance to a very prestigious high school in Shanghai. Among what she said were hundreds of applicants with only five spots available for vocal students, she was accepted.
From there she went to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music where she got her bachelor’s degree before going on to get her master’s from Julliard in New York City. She picked Julliard because she wanted to be in New York City for the experience and the artistic opportunities there. Since then, she has performed in any number of international opera and concert venues including a solo recital at the Lincoln Center and Fidelio at the Met, where she had been a part of their young artists program.
Messiah continues to be an audience draw both for religious reasons and because it’s almost a ritual to hear it, Fang said. “Handel in his time was a superstar and he still is now, I think.”
Asked why she likes singing Messiah and why people should come to the performances, she said:
“I am lucky because my voice fits the style of baroque and also of Mozart. But also I think it’s the divine melodic writing of Handel and also of Mozart . It’s hard to not love their music.”
“The music will speak for itself. Mozart’s rearrangement, it adds this beautiful warmth and color to the orchestra and think it will bring the audience a new experience.
“Also in the staging of the great Robert Wilson. It’s really a masterpiece of visual theater. I think the audience will find meaning through the stillness. Through the abstract and think that’s an incredible theatrical experience. “
Performances are scheduled for April 17 through May 3 at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays at Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas. Sung in English with projected English. For more information, call 713-228-6737 or visit houstongrandopera.org. The Friday May 1 performance is a special “Under 40 Friday” with discounted tickets for audience members under 40 years old. $25-$290.50.
