With Precision and Playfulness, ‘La Fille du Regiment’ Considers Love, Loyalty and the Absurdities of War

[Annoyed An]

"La Fille du Regiment" Delights Audiences with its Whimsical Take on Love, Loyalty, and War

Laurent Pelly's production of Donizetti's "La Fille du Regiment" is a masterclass in blending precision and playfulness to create a comedy that effortlessly navigates the absurdities of war. From the opening notes, it's clear that this opera is going to be something special.

The set design, crafted by Chantal Thomas, is a work of art, transforming the stage into a fantastical world inspired by maps. This clever use of visual elements perfectly encapsulates the lighthearted tone of the opera. Meanwhile, Giacomo Sagripanti's conducting brings out the crispness and wit in Donizetti's music, infusing the orchestra with boundless energy.

At the heart of this production is Erin Morley as Marie, a trailblazing soprano who shines in her breakout role. Morley's portrayal of Marie is nothing short of phenomenal - she effortlessly glides through complex coloratura passages and nails every comedic moment with ease. Her chemistry with Lawrence Brownlee, who brings a natural charm to Tonio, is undeniable.

The supporting cast, including Peter Kálmán as Sulpice and Susan Graham and Sandra Oh as the villainous Marquise de Berkenfield and Duchess du Krakenthorp respectively, deliver performances that are equally impressive. Graham's over-the-top antics as the Marquise make her a scene-stealer, while Oh's Krakenthorp is a masterclass in comedic timing.

What truly sets "La Fille du Regiment" apart, however, is its focus on female characters and their agency. Morley's Marie is not your typical opera heroine - she's strong-willed, independent, and possesses a sharp wit that cuts through the absurdity of war. This refreshing take on traditional operatic heroines makes for a truly delightful viewing experience.

In short, "La Fille du Regiment" is a testament to the power of opera as a medium for comedy and storytelling. With its impeccable performances, clever set design, and Sagripanti's expert conducting, this production is an absolute must-see.

 

[Sil]

idk what all the fuss is about lol, i mean la fille du regiment is def a funny opera but it feels like they're trying way too hard to be quirky ...i get what donizetti's going for with the maps and stuff but it feels kinda forced at times. erin morley as marie is indeed amazing tho, she brings so much sass and energy to that role ...but lawrence brownlee's toneio can be a bit meh sometimes, i dunno ...anyway, kudos to the cast for delivering solid performances

 

[Guitar NASCAR Prophec]

I'm totally obsessed with this new opera - La Fille du Regiment! The set design is insane, it looks like a map come to life on stage , and the music is just so witty and fun . Erin Morley as Marie is pure magic, I loved how she brought her character to life with all that fancy coloratura singing . And the chemistry between her and Lawrence Brownlee as Tonio is undeniable . What really impressed me was how strong-willed and independent Marie is, it's like we're seeing a modern woman in an old opera . I've seen opera before, but this one had me laughing out loud and feeling all the feels , definitely a must-see for anyone who loves comedy and music!

 

[Clumsy Cow]

idk about all these operas getting so hyped , like what's next gonna be some classical music festival with overpriced merch? the whole thing just feels kinda... performative to me. and don't even get me started on the whole "female characters being strong-willed" thing - it sounds like they're trying way too hard to tick that diversity box . still, i guess if you're into opera, this one might be alright .

 

[Outrageo]

idk how they managed to make war sound so lighthearted lol but seriously, i loved "La Fille du Regiment" the cast was amazing esp erin morley as marie, she brought so much energy to that role and giacomo sagripanti's conducting was insane the set design was also super creative, loved how they incorporated maps into it gotta say tho, i did find some parts a bit hard to follow but overall, the production was top notch

 

[Zealous]

idk if i'm being too harsh but im not sure if i'd say its completely flawless...the sets are defo super creative but some of the costumes felt a bit too try-hard i mean don't get me wrong laurent pelly did an amazing job with everything else though! erin morley was indeed phenomenal as marie and her chemistry with lawrence brownlee was so cute however, susan graham's performance as the marquise felt a tad over-the-top at times...i guess its all about finding that balance between comedy and seriousness

 

[Happy Hare]

I'm literally freaking out over Marie's character in La Fille du Regiment! The way Erin Morley brings her to life is EVERYTHING I love how she's not your typical damsel in distress - she's got sass and spunk and is totally in control of her own destiny . And that chemistry between her and Lawrence Brownlee? I'm shipping them so hard! The way the whole cast comes together to create this hilarious and heartwarming story is just pure magic

 

[Comfortable Cobra]

idk why ppl still do operas but this one sounds like so much fun the fact that it's got female leads who aren't just damsels in distress is kinda refreshing tbh and i love how it pokes fun at war, it's not always easy to make comedy out of serious topics

 

[Elderly Hang Glider]

I'm loving the recent opera adaptation of La Fille du Regiment ! The way it blends humor and heartwarming moments to tackle themes of love, loyalty, and war is so refreshing . Erin Morley's performance as Marie is absolutely phenomenal - she has this effortless charm that makes her character shine . I also loved how the production focuses on female characters and their agency, it's about time we see more strong-willed heroines in opera . The supporting cast is equally impressive, especially Susan Graham's over-the-top antics as the Marquise - hilarious ! Overall, this production is a must-see for anyone who loves opera or just great storytelling

 

[Distinct Dragonf]

I'm loving this new take on "La Fille du Regiment". I think what really stands out here is how they've managed to balance the wackiness of war with some actually super relatable female characters . Erin Morley's Marie is, like, totally a boss - she's got that perfect blend of sass and vulnerability going on that just makes you root for her from start to finish. And can we talk about Susan Graham's performance as the Marquise? She's like, over-the-top in the best way possible . The set design is also super clever, I love how they've used maps to create this whimsical world. It's clear that the team has put a lot of thought into making this production something special and it really shows . Overall, I think this opera is just, like, totally delightful - if you haven't seen it yet, you need to get on that ASAP!

 

[Rad]

I loved this opera, I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a story about love & war with so much sass? The chemistry between Erin Morley & Lawrence Brownlee was like, wow! They had this spark that made me feel like I'm part of the story too. And OMG, Susan Graham's performance as Marquise de Berkenfield was EVERYTHING I loved how she just went all out and gave it her all, no holds barred. The set design was also super cool, like a map come to life . It really added to the whimsical feel of the whole thing. I think what I liked most about this opera is that it didn't take itself too seriously, you know? It just let go and had fun with it . The way they wove in comedy & drama was like a masterclass in storytelling.

 

[Nuclear Lacrosse B]

I'm so hyped about La Fille du Regiment! The way they blended precision with playfulness is pure genius. Erin Morley as Marie is a total game changer - her voice and comedic timing are on point! And can we talk about the set design? It's like stepping into a whimsical world . But what really gets me is how they're pushing the boundaries of traditional operatic heroines. Marie is not your typical princess - she's sassy, independent, and unapologetic . This production is a total breath of fresh air and I'm so glad it's getting the love it deserves!

 

[Stupid Salamander]

just saw the review of La Fille du Regiment and imo it sounds like a real treat ! love that they're focusing on female characters and giving 'em some real agency - marie's character seems so refreshing! also can't wait to see erin morley in action, she sounds like a rockstar

 

[Horrible Hornet]

I'm calling BS on this one... how can you say that Marie is strong-willed and independent when she's just a teenager pretending to be a man to escape her arranged marriage? That's not exactly empowering, IMO. And what about the dude who's actually in love with her and gets rejected for being a 'woman'

 

[Gran]

I'm so stoked to see an opera that's all about female empowerment ! It's like, totally refreshing to see a heroine who's not just some damsel in distress, you know? Erin Morley as Marie is literally giving me life ! And can we talk about the chemistry between her and Lawrence Brownlee as Tonio? It's like they were meant to be on stage together . The whole cast is amazing, but what really gets me is how "La Fille du Regiment" pokes fun at war without being all serious and heavy-handed. It's like a big ol' bowl of comedic opera soup , and I am HERE. FOR. IT!

 

[Save Yourself from the L]

lolol i was just watchin this opera thingy last nite and omg laura morley as marie is SOOOO fire she was killin it with those high notes and making me laugh at the same time haha can't believe its not a classic yet!!! also love how they made sulpice this guy need more peters like him in opera lolol what's next gonna be a musical based on my favorite meme

 

[Mania]

I just saw La Fille du Regiment with my friends last weekend and I gotta say, it was pure magic! The opera was so funny, even though it's about war, the tone was really lighthearted and playful. Erin Morley as Marie was absolutely phenomenal - her singing and acting were both top-notch. Lawrence Brownlee's Tonio was super charming too . I loved how the production highlighted female characters and their agency, it's so refreshing to see strong women on stage! The set design was also amazing, I loved the way they incorporated maps into the sets . Overall, I would highly recommend this opera to anyone looking for a fun night out at the theatre

 

[Death-Defying Box]

I'm loving this new opera production The way they've blended music, sets & acting is just magic Erin Morley as Marie is seriously giving me life her chemistry with Lawrence Brownlee as Tonio is so cute and Susan Graham's Marquise de Berkenfield is HILARIOUS Sandra Oh's Krakenthorp though, what a scene-stealer! ‍

 

[Third-Wo]

I'm totally obsessed with this new production of "La Fille du Regiment"! It's like, the perfect blend of humor and heart, you know? The set design is SO cool, it feels like you're right in the middle of a fantastical world. And Erin Morley as Marie? Mind. Blown. She's got this amazing chemistry with Lawrence Brownlee too, their scenes together are pure magic. I love how the opera highlights strong female characters and their agency - it's so refreshing to see! The whole cast is just incredible, I'm dying to know more about them now. And that conductor Giacomo Sagripanti? He's like a wizard with the orchestra, bringing out all this energy and wit in Donizetti's music. Overall, if you haven't seen "La Fille du Regiment" yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!