Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

@uc_ccm’s Undergratuate Opera Program presented its spring 2024 offering of a fun, wonderfully zany production of Mozart’s comic masterpiece The Marriage of Figaro. Under the direction of Brett Scott, the student cast featured in this evening’s performance was a wonderful demonstration of all the rising young talents that CCM has nurtured for generations.
Baritone Joshua Kline as Figaro was hearty, poised, elegant and joyous throughout, with a voice on par with greats like Thomas Hampson, Alan Opie and Samuel Ramey. Soprano Maya McGuire as Susanna was certainly the best performance of this role I have encountered in Cincinnati in years. Her voice possessed delicacy, drama, flair and panache that is perfectly suited for any of Mozart’s greatest soprano roles.
Baritone John Potvin as Count Almaviva was bright, dignified and possessed great style in his voice. Soprano Lauren Albano as the Countess Almaviva possessed a voice of enlightened charm, grace and fluidity, particularly in her standout aria ‘Porgi amor’ which opened Act 2.
Mezzo-soprano Gertha Ferguson as Cherubino brought great wit, impish charm and youthful innocence to her performance, with a strong and lyrical voice to match. Fine contributions were also made by mezzo soprano Junyue Gong as Marcellina, baritone Zachary Burnham as Don Basilio and soprano Jadyn Riggs as Barbarina.
The orchestra for tonight’s production turned in a strong, wistful reading under Maestro Scott, even if the limited space in CCM’s Cohen Family Studio Theater meant only about a dozen players could fit off to the left side of the stage.
I eagerly anticipate the next undergraduate opera presentation from this great school, and have high hopes that many of the soloists featured tonight may go on to be major stars in the wider opera world.