Princeton University Opera Brings Lively, Entertaining “Marriage of Figaro” to Stage
Opera companies nationwide are struggling with how to get younger music lovers interested in opera; a recent survey by the Metropolitan Opera found that the Met’s audience was aging right along with the company. Survey takers and opera doomsayers needed only to attend this past weekend’s performances by the Princeton University Opera Theatre of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro to see the next generation of opera aficionados in action, cheering their classmate cast members as if they had scored the winning basket in an Ivy championship game.
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With the exception of one, the operatic leads were all students, and across the board, their exuberant and youthful approach to the roles was refreshing and enjoyable. As Susanna and her beloved Figaro, University juniors Faaria Kherani and Adam Fox were both animated and completely engaged with each other. Mr. Fox showed exceptional command of the recitative style, and Ms. Kherani’s voice was refreshingly free of the vocal burdens one often hears in older singers who are trying too hard to be the role — Ms. Kherani was simply being herself with confidence and ease. Mr. Fox sang Figaro’s Act I closing aria, “Non più andrai,” especially well.
As Count Almaviva, senior Michael Scharff was convincing as an older man, and soprano Rachel Dunn settled in well to her role as the Countess, singing well her signature aria, “Porgi amor.” Ms. Kherani and Ms. Dunn were also well matched and graceful in their third act “Sull’aria” duet.
Ismailimail 