Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

@uc_ccm opened its 2024-25 MainStage opera season with a hilarious production of an otherwise little-known work by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, La Finta giardiniera. First performed in Munich in 1775, the opera explores themes of misdirected love, disguises and mistaken identity, all told in a very comic way.
CcM’s new production sets the opera as if it were the set of a reality TV show, with microphones and solo spotlights serving as a confessional and other modern references such as the use of test patterns and spontaneous dance breaks, which helped make it a very entertaining evening.
Tenor Reed Gnepper as Count Belifiore was utterly charming and fun, with an exuberant, light and plush voice that suited the music incredibly well. Mezzo soprano Kaylan Hernandez sparkled as Armida, with a divalike aura about her full of sassy, snappy wit reminiscent of Lina Lamont from the great movie musical Singin’ in the Rain and a voice of heft, impish charm and grace. Tenor Cameron Howard as the Podesta, mezzo soprano Lucy Evans as Ramiro, baritone Andrew Hallam as Nardo and soprano Malone Blaich as Serpetta also provided wonderful contributions, with supple, relaxed and effervescent voices, in solo and in combination. Hearing what were essentially rap lyrics in English in Act 2 was the finest moment from Hallam. Lucy Evans as Ramiro being handed (or thrown) a stuffed animal as a kind of emotional support called to mind Linus from Charles Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip.
However, the biggest shout out must go to soprano Emma Marhefka as Sandrina. Her voice was nothing short of spectacular, focused yet full of energy, vibrancy and beauty which makes her destined to be among the finest Mozart interpreters of this generation.
The CCM student orchestra assembled for this production brought Mozart’s music to life under the direction of Michael Patterson, particularly the strings and oboes in arias and scenas and fortepiano in the recitatives (played by Joe Stephens)
A thrilling way to begin the opera season at CCM. Eagerly looking forward to their spring 2025 offerings.