Nikolai Putilin, with his burly baritone, proved a worthy foil as the Emperor.

The performance mostly does justice to the production, with Andrew Richards a strong Pinkerton and Jake Gardner a worthy foil as Sharpless.

And Craig Phillips, the bass, proved a worthy foil.

David Ossenfort, a tenor, made much of the initially thankless role of the Husband, and Raymond Granlund made a worthy foil as the Policeman (don't ask).

But Berg's Three Pieces for Orchestra proved a worthy foil for Ives.

But Mickelson, hungry for his first victory in more than a year, responded like a worthy foil for Woods.

Jake Gardner proved a worthy foil as the American consul Sharpless, strong and steady of voice.

Mr. Pisaroni, lanky and animated, made a worthy foil to Mariusz Kwiecien's Don Giovanni, sometimes upstaging him.

Toby Spence, as Tamino, proved a worthy foil to Ms. Dessay, looking the hero's part and singing with plangent tone.

But Huang Yu-Lin, a young performer of great potential, was lovely, fetching and, when necessary, stouthearted, a worthy foil to the villain.