The Ballad of Baby Doe

The Ballad of Baby Doe
Central City Opera
Central City, CO
July 9 - August 7, 2016

The Ballad of Baby Doe is not a typical opera. Most noticeably, the libretto is in English, so at times it feels more like musical theater than opera. The music itself has a western feel to it which also at time feels out of place.
Despite being unconventional, The Ballad of Baby Doe has become a beloved American classic. And on its 60th anniversary, what could be more appropriate than performing the opera in Central City, where it first premiered?

I attended the family matinee, which was performed by the “apprentice cast.” Despite their title, this group is filled with talent. Above all, their August Tabor shone in this performance. While she is not the villain of the show, her role is supposed to be less appealing than the younger Baby Doe. This production failed on that count. Augusta was sympathetic and intelligent. Clearly the script called for Horace to fall in love with Baby Doe, but there didn’t seem much reason for it.

The part of Horace was well sung, but there didn’t seem to be much substance to the man. He was showy but often seemed unstable. While his songs of love to Baby Doe were sincere, but the script didn’t supply much reason for that love. And with little chemistry between the performers, it was hard to understand.

The production’s Baby Doe had a lovely singing voice. She came across as sweet and demure, but she lacked the charisma and charm needed to captivate the audience and explain Horace’s scandalous behavior.

The sequences featuring the chorus were filled with energy and style. The chorus went from prostitutes and miners to upper crust society smoothly. And the singing was engrossing. The rally for William Jennings Bryan was a high point. The performance of the presidential candidate demonstrated the “demagogue” he was referred to as. Although the slow motion paperboys saying after the election was comical at a time of solemnity.

The set became a player in the show. The background often featured a projection of the actual places in the story. At times smaller screens lowered to display the actual photos of the people being portrayed. When the audience is as close to the story as this one, those glimpses into reality just strengthen the connection.

The costumes were a bit puzzling. While Baby Doe changed her dresses often to demonstrate her extravagant lifestyle, Augusta wore the same dress throughout the decades that roll by. And since Augusta was the one with the most money it seemed odd.

Ultimately the story is a tragedy. The tenderness between Baby Doe and Horace is touching at the end.  The actors seemed to have a stronger handle on the sorrowful scenes than the passionate ones. Still, it is a satisfying experience at the opera and a chance to see future stars in action.