Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

@cincinnatiopera opened its 2025 summer season with a spectacular production of one of Giuseppe Verdi’s most popular operas, Rigoletto.
First performed in 1851 and based on Victor Hugo’s 1832 play Le roi s’amuse, it’s story centers on the tragic loves and lives of the Duke of Mantua, his jester Rigoletto and the jester’s daughter Gilda.
Tenor Zach Borichevsky as the Duke possessed a delightfully powerful, plush timbre while not being so overdramatic as to lose the dramatic heart of the character, as we the audience follow his emotional journey to falling in love with Gilda. Baritone Michael Chioldi was equally splendid in the title role, even if his sound had a bit of a harder edge, which is never a bad thing when you consider all the humiliation and sadness Rigoletto has been through.
Soprano Katheryn Lewek as Gilda was an astounding revelation. Considered one of the world’s biggest opera stars and a mainstay of companies like the Metropolitan Opera, hers was perhaps the most impactful and jaw-dropping voices encountered thus far in Cincinnati Opera’s history. With an impressive ability to sing long coloratura runs with almost the flick of a wrist and an equally impressive clarity of tone, this was certainly one of the best casting choices made by the company in recent years. As she sang her extended first act cavatina, you could hear a pin drop in Music Hall the audience was so entranced by her sound.
Excellent contributions in smaller roles came from mezzo-soprano Tesia Kwarteng as Maddalena, Kaylee Nichols as Gilda’s nurse Giovanna, baritone Thomas Dreeze as Marullo, bass Morris Robinson as the assassin Sparafucile and baritone Donnie Ray Albert as Count Monterone. All was brought to life spectacularly by @cincysymphony and the men of the Cincinnati Opera Chorus under guest conductor John Fiore.
Looking forward immensely to this season’s production of Tosca at the end of June, featuring both familiar faces and rising new stars.