Mozart never finished "Zaide," a music-theater piece with spoken dialogue. What has come down to us is a colorful, rather dark story about a sultan named Soliman, who loves his slave Zaide, who loves fellow slave Gomatz. With the help of Allazim, a high-ranking slave, Zaide and Gomatz escape, only to be captured and threatened with death. At that point, the story ends.
Wolf Trap Opera's presentation allows the audience to vote at intermission for one of three possibilities — happy, happier and downer. A tragic fate would certainly fit the often gritty edge in this imaginative production, which looks like a lost episode of "Dr. Who" — Erhard Rom designed the cool set, S. Katy Tucker the sci-fi projections, Mattie Ullrich the high-fantasy costumes — and which underlines the violence in the story. If the opening scene of beatings doesn't register, the water-boarding in the second act will.
Director James Marvel's concept has its logic and integrity, and the cast jumps into the action with admirable force. Nathaniel Peake uses his mostly firm tenor to vivid effect as Soliman. As Gomatz, promising tenor Paul Appleby offers a highly expressive style. Hana Park, as Zaide, could use more tonal creaminess, but her phrasing is always sensitive. Daniel Billings reveals a robust voice and great musical personality as Allazim. Michael Sumuel does vibrant work as slave dealer Osmin. Gary Thor Wedow's propulsive conducting gets an agile response from the orchestra.
Wolf Trap Opera has made a provocative case for "Zaide." You won't feel neutral about it.
The final performance is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Barns at Wolf Trap. For tickets, call 877-965-3872 or go to wolftrap.org.
Tim Smith