The Covent Garden Ring Cycle was beset by withdrawals, due to offspring's broken finger, severe colds, even a cover had a broken arm. One by one the characters got killed - by brother, in a row over a ring; by a brother-in-law he had cuckolded; by Wotan; in childbirth; stabbed for being a dragon;stabbed for being a mean gnome; and it was only after 15½hours that John Treleaven succumbed to being stabbed in the back.
Throughout three acts of the eponymous Siegfried, when he was barely off-stage at all, into the Prelude and 2½ acts of Gotterdammerung, I think we can all agree that John Treleaven gave 110% in effort. Totally energetic, absolutely unflagging, through four cycles (including the Preview Cycle), 25-30 hours of singing above a large orchestra, and there was never a time I couldn't hear him; I'm sure that applied to Cycles 0-2, too. The Royal Opera House selected him to play Siegfried, something he did with absolute commitment, in the performances in Autumn 05/Spring 06, too. And for that, I have to give him total respect.
I feel I ought to say that, because it seems cruel to criticise him. From what I saw, he was totally professional throughout. I have little time for singers who are obviously not trying. No one can level that accusation at John; he was very trying. I don't think he was up to the job, but he was appointed by the Royal Opera House. Appointed and retained. I hope he hasn't been reading the reviews, because he did what we all hope we can do in our respective occupations - gave everything to a job that was beyond his capabilities. I think we can all look ourselves in the mirror when we know we have tried our utmost at a difficult job. It does us no good to find out that people found us lacking. Apparently, he has a substantial career throughout Europe. Perhaps that is in smaller houses than Covent Garden. Perhaps in houses with less exacting standards. And we all know that Siegfried, especially in Siegfried, is a bastard part to sing.
I just feel I ought to say all this, rather than letting my reviews dwell too much on him. I do not want to disrespect the man, when his performance indicated that he is an honest committed performer of much integrity.
Let's just say that I find his voice unremittingly ugly. Let's just say that I found that his wobble/squawk unpleasant on the ears - before I had even attended I was drawing parallels with a dislocated shoulder. His singing was akin to a dislocated shoulder, unfortunately the NHS wasn't handing out free pethidine to get through. Some singers get compared to chocolate, velvet, crystal. John Treleaven - a dislocated shoulder. Another commentator said - and I quote
I would rather have watched 12 hours of a radio-controlled squid than the performance of a Mr John Treleaven
Bizarre as it may seem, the radio-controlled squid was actually an option at Another Opera House...in keeping with Monteverdi's wishes, I'm sure.
But without John Treleaven we would not have had Siegfried, and would have had a rather lop-sided Gotterdammerung with a massive hole in it.
And what a glowing testament to Wagner that not even Mr T could ruin his music...well, except for the final scene of Siegfried, but I suppose I just have to live with that. And I'm not even going to comment on his acting. He has massive stage presence. He has an innate musicality. It seems clear to me that he has a deep understanding of the score and what notes he ought to be singing. The fact that he couldn't hit many of them is entirely beside the point.
Right, I've acknowledged the elephant in the room; hopefully I can review the two operas now.
