Puccini / Illica & Giacosa

Sondheim / Wheeler

Ward / Stambler

President William McKinley was shot by a disgruntled immigrant, Leon Czolgosz, sung by the tenor John Packard, who is well-known in both American and European opera houses. General Director of Nickel City Opera Valerian Ruminsky, bass, sang a strong President McKinley. His speech at the Pan-American Exposition and his death scene were impressive performances. Also beautifully sung was the aria by Mariateresa Magiano, a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, as his loving heartbroken wife Ida. Her lament in the second scene of Act I was the musical high point of the opera.

The rest of the music consisted of recitatives by individual singers and the chorus representing the bereaved citizens of Buffalo. The large, well-prepared orchestra was more effective in conveying the colors of the tonal music and expressing the feelings of the characters than the recitative, however. 

In her review, Mary Kunz Goldman of the Buffalo News opined that the opera could have been more effective if shortened, particularly the prison scene in the second act which consisted of Czolgosz's dream about Emma Goldman's anarchist philosophy.  

The press scenes announcing the state of the President's health were repetitive and the part of the announcer of the Pan American Exposition could have been omitted. The well-done surtitles were absolutely necessary in the large Shea's auditorium. In future, presentations in smaller venues should be considered and would assist the voices. 

Despite any shortcomings, a modern, tonal opera about American history that includes issues of contemporary relevance is an exciting experience!