'Flora' flawless as comic work

Spoleto Festival USA's charming revival of the 18th-century ballad opera "Flora, An Opera," opened to a delighted audience at the newly renovated Dock Street Theatre on Saturday. Neely Bruce's orchestration of the ballads, and the music he provides for a variety of comic dances, are tuneful and witty.

Director John Pascoe briskly moves his ensemble cast from one comic situation to another, while still allowing them complete freedom to develop the comic or emotional points of their various ballads, most of which are sung directly to the audience.

Spoleto 2010 News, stories and reviews

Your guide to the events, performances and highlights of this year's festivals.

As designer, Pascoe has provided a charming Wedgwood china world for his pastoral setting, which is enhanced by Ruth Hutson's dreamy lighting design. Sara Erde's elaborate choreography for the final village wake ended "Flora" on exactly the right comic note.

As Flora, Andriana Chuchman sings with purity of tone and complete emotional involvement.

When she finally is united with her lover, Tom Friendly (Tyler Duncan, baritone), her beautiful soprano voice joyfully soars over the chorus to the back of the house.

As Sir Thomas Testy, Timothy Nolen is dressed in black from top to toe, and dominates the stage at each appearance.

Hob, the country bumpkin, has been such an audience-pleaser that some producers have retitled "Flora" as "Hob" or "Hob in the Well."

Tenor Robert McPherson exploits all the comic situations in which Hob finds himself. He tosses off comic songs, dances with general abandon and manages to win a cudgel match against hopeless odds.

Thanks to a caring and imaginative production team, a stalwart ensemble cast and the Dock Street Theatre as an ideal setting, "Flora" is an almost perfect comic confection, which will be repeated on June 5, 7, 10 and 12.