U-M stages a fresh, youthful "Marriage of Figaro"

The University of Michigan's production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" got off to a good start Thursday with the performance of the well-known overture by the pit orchestra under the direction of conductor Kenneth Kiesler. By the end of the evening, the atmosphere at Power Center was electric.

Premiered in Vienna in 1786, the opera is considered a masterpiece. The transcendent dignity, clarity and spirit of Mozart's music is masterfully melded with a farcical plot that includes biting social commentary of the time. The U-M cast confronted the challenge of the work with fresh, youthful energy.

The appreciative audience followed attentively, clearly enjoying the humor in the work and the musical highlights.

Mary Martin sailed through the role of Susanna with her brilliantly clear, highly refined soprano voice. Jonathan Christopher seemed to captivate the audience with his boyish charm, filling out the role of Figaro with his soft-edged bass voice. Rhea Olivaccé delivered her powerful, pure, soaring soprano voice to the role of the Countess with depth and a strong stage presence. Joseph Roberts played the Count with the requisite gravitas, adding his bright, refined and nuanced baritone voice to the role. Tenor Kyle Matthew Knapp lit up the stage as Basilio with sharp comic timing and witty grace. And Kate Wakefield brought a sincere sweetness and polished mezzo-soprano voice to the role of Cherubino.

Director Robert Swedberg's staging featured a rotating set that facilitated the quick pace of the production, which was presented with only one intermission. Sets were primarily in muted tones enhanced with lighting effects. Costumes designed by Christianne Myers added historical reference and were full of subtle, elegant details.

Already cheering as the curtain came down at intermission, the nearly full house rose to its feet for a standing ovation with more cheers at the end of the opera.

This production by the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance's University Opera Theatre and University Symphony Orchestra is sung in Italian with (rather witty) English translations projected above the stage. It is being performed with two casts: Thursday's cast will perform again on Saturday; another cast will perform today and Sunday.

Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m., Sunday's at 2 p.m., at the Power Center in Ann Arbor. Tickets are $24 and $18 ($9 for students with ID). Box office phone: 734-764-2538; online: www.music.umich.edu.