Runnicles played out with Verdi Requiem: "You are the toast of the world . . . auf Wiedersehen."

Donald Runnicles/Verdi Requiem/San Francisco Opera/Photo: Kristen Loken Anstey

Donald Runnicles conducted the San Francisco Opera's Verdi Requiem and received SFO's highest honor May 29

Donald Runnicles' glorious and elegant Verdi Requiem was over all too soon on Friday night at San Francisco Opera. Moreover, my first assignment as a journalist at San Francisco Opera’s regular season was, interestingly enough, the requiem. Instead of ushering, supering (non-singing actor) or handing out free CDs or SFO pens, I found myself walking past Starsky Dias my old supervisor from the balcony and into the press room. There was the immortal critic Joshua Kosman and others chatting, sipping wine, munching crackers with brie. Sam from a little paper in Marin, the Pacific Sun, sat on the couch with her boyfriend. A tall young Englishman helped me find my press ticket at the door, his name was Cedric Westphal of SFist.com and a fellow bike commuter.

This was an exciting night because the glorious soprano Heidi Melton found out the morning before she would be performing the Verdi Requiem since Patricia Racette was ill. Heidi wore a beautiful black gown with a draped hem, a black lace and beaded jacket over the gown with diamond drop earrings. Her dark brown hair short. She looked as if she could match the mezzo Stephanie Blythe. Stephanie wore a similar black elegantly flowing gown with short sleeves and a low neckline, short hair but blond.

Heidi Melton/Verdi Requiem/San Francisco Opera/Photo: Kristen Loken Anstey

The voices of Heidi and Stephanie blended beautifully, clear, elegant and rich. Heidi even got her solo near the end. I noticed Runnicles mouthing the words along with Stephanie and Heidi in Sanctos when the women sang a cappella. It sounded gentle. It was lovely, touching, lyrical with a flute then a dramatic arch by Heidi followed with reverence by the enormous chorus. They chanted a cappella as the dramatic tension built with thunderous percussion. The chorus had men outnumbering women two to one, with the women in the middle.

Later Stephanie had moved to the other side of the stage with Stefano Secco the tenor and the bass Andrea Silvestrelli. Stefano Secco sang with expressiveness and animation; Andrea Silvestrelli with earthy power to match his burly appearance, each man in a white bow tie. They were a juxtaposition to each other in appearance as well.

Verdi Requiem/San Francisco Opera/Blythe, Silvestrelli/Secco/Photo: Kristen Loken Anstey

When you go to Heaven it would be nice to be sung out by Donald Runnicles and Heidi and the Verdi Requiem. It was good enough for Princess Diana . . . At times it had a James Bond dynamic energy with a pretty blond percussionist creating thunder of the gods with her mallets, two different kinds plus drumsticks actually. There she was looking wholesome with her bangs and long hair. I mentioned this to Mark the cellist as he carried his instrument out of the pit; and he agreed she should be in a bikini and painted gold . . . speaking of which Runnicles will be conducting Anna Netrebko in La Traviata in June. She'll be signing CDs and all things Anna after her matinee, when she closes that Sunday.

Speaking of looking passionate, Runnicles wore a bright blue vest under his dark jacket with a Nehru collar. His long hair hanging artistically as a robust artist who led the opera’s musicians, chorus and singers for twenty years should look. David Gockley says he returns in 2011 to lead three complete Ring Cycles.

Board member Gunn says Runnicles conducted over sixty operas, starting with the Ring. So has he come full circle? Josh Kosman reports in an exit interview with Runnicles that Runnicles did indeed conduct almost everything he ever wanted.

Gunn commended Runnicles for his sense of drama, his energy, his passion. Runnicles transported us to a new admiration and sense of how opera is a strong and beautiful force in our lives. He then presented Runnicles with the highest honor, the SFO medal, after sounding a tad nervous as he spoke and seemed to search his coat pockets. Runnicles laughed and mimicked the search, patting down his own jacket pockets.

Donald Runnicles/John Gunn/SFO Medal/San Francisco Opera's Verdi Requiem/Photo: Kristen Loken Anstey

Runnicles said coming to San Francisco Opera from Germany in 1990 changed his life in ways he could not have foreseen. He added similarly that it was much like Heidi Melton having no idea what she had in store when she woke up the morning before. He said she’s going to Deutsch Opera Berlin next.

He continued saying

Home is where your family is and loved ones are.

Home is up here on this stage with loved ones, where it feels like family. It’s a huge gift; to combine deep friendship with deep musicianship.

Runnicles told the audience,

You are the toast of the world . . .

He said he loves the audience with it’s vigor and curiosity, it’s perhaps controversial nature and it’s relevance, how it means something.

Then he said auf Wiedersehen.

Donald Runnicles/SFO Chorus/Verdi Requiem/Photo: Kristen Loken Anstey

In closing, one thing Josh Kosman noted in his closing interview with Runnicles was how much Runnicles loves opera in the park. It overjoyed him to know maybe five people would be hearing a certain opera for the first time. Kosman doesn’t like hearing opera that way but I am looking forward to it this year. I just want to relax and enjoy the sunshine and a picnic and feeding strawberries and kisses to Carter.

For more info: www.SFOpera.com

Photos: Kristen Loken Anstey

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