CCMOnStage OPERA Presents
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
Nov. 18-21, 2021, Corbett Auditorium
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how CCM student Emma Marhefka becomes Susanna from Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.
*CCM Student
The Marriage of Figaro will last three hours with a 15-minute intermission.
By Robin Guarino
It is so emotional for the students, faculty and staff to be back in the theater rehearsing and performing a fully staged opera for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Therefore, for the first order of business and as their envoy:
“The cast, orchestra, creative team and crew want to thank you for coming tonight and believing in us and coming back to be our audience. We dedicate this performance to you!”
About 15 years ago, I was directing Figaro at the Metropolitan Opera and rehearsing with my soon-to-be colleague at CCM, Marie-France Lefebvre, who was the assistant conductor, coach and prompter for the Met production. Our friendship was born in those rehearsals.
We were both very nervous and excited to be moving to Cincinnati and over the next months, whenever I questioned my decision to leave New York City, I thought of our collaboration and the work we would do together at CCM with the fantastic students I had already met. Now 15 years later, there is a certain harmony to the fact that we are here again rehearsing Figaro having brought our students back to the stage in this new world we are living in with Mozart’s masterpiece.
The great Italian Bass, Ferruccio Furlanetto once told me that he ‘was born as an artist in the role of Figaro.’ I know this is true for me as a director. The power of The Marriage of Figaro remains so prescient in its music, storytelling and relevance. Yes, it speaks of the four seasons of love portrayed in the household: Barbarina and Cherubino (spring), Susanna and Figaro (summer), the Countess and Count (fall), and Marcellina and Bartolo (winter), but it also reflects on more serious matters of class and privilege that is focused on specifically with the Droit du seigneur (lord's right), also known as jus primae noctis (right of the first night). Susanna’s right to choose who she “gives herself to” on her wedding night, something so personal and completely inalienable.
What also impresses me every time I direct Figaro is Mozart and Da Ponte’s ability to capture humanity at its fullest and most complex on the eve of revolution. Even the Count, who is clearly the foil in this story, is a man who is struggling between wanting to do the right thing and being perceived as weak and fundamentally questioning his role as Count and head of the estate.
On the first day of rehearsal we set our goal to explore a deeper humanity in all of the characters in the opera no matter the size of the role. I have also seen that attitude across the entire team. I know that all of the students: cast, creative team, orchestra and crew have worked harder than they ever have to earn this opera and achieve the large collaborative brain trust truly necessary to do a piece like this. I am so proud them; they are passionate and fearless. And they are so excited to perform for you tonight — so WE thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being here!
By Robin Guarino
My special thanks go to all my colleagues in Technical Design and Production — especially Steve Miller who convinced me that we could beautifully and fittingly recycle a beloved old production of The Barber of Seville into this gorgeous new production of The Marriage of Figaro, thereby saving countless thousands for future CCM productions! And thanks to Tom Umfrid, who turns everything he touches into a thing of beauty, my heartfelt appreciation. I also want to thank Michele Kay for leading her students and therefore leading all of us through the night! A very special thank you to Kelly Yurko, Kat Miller, Sharon Huizinga and Elizabeth Payne for their beautiful work and generous mentorship. Thanks to Stirling Shelton for holding up the walls. My special thanks to Marie-France Lefebvre for her friendship, collegiality, impeccable coaching and for musically leading an amazing team of student pianists, coaches and conductors. Lastly, all hail to our conductor, Brian McCann who is a deeply talented musician and wonderful artist and human being!
^ Thursday/Saturday Performances
~ Friday/Sunday Performances
Brian McCann, conductor
We will continue to announce our 2021-22 schedule of public performances in two-month intervals — audiences will learn more about our programming for November and December events in October! Performance information and updates will be shared on the CCM website and in our Next OnStage e-newsletter.
Be the first to know about future ticket on-sale dates and more: sign up for our email list.
May 20, 2024
The United States Coast Guard Band brings its "Heartland Harmonies" concert tour to UC's College-Conservatory of Music on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The free concert is presented in Corbett Auditorium as part of the band's tour through the American South and Midwest regions for public performances and educational outreach.
April 26, 2024
UC's College-Conservatory of Music is proud to present alumni and distinguished service awards to outstanding members of our community at the end of each academic year. The 2024 awards are presented to four accomplished alumni and one dedicated patron in a private virtual event on April 23.
April 22, 2024
The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music is thrilled to congratulate alums Titilayo Ayangade (BM Cello, ’14) and Jaime Sharp (MM Voice, ’22) on their recent wins of two MPower Artist Grants from the Sphinx Organization. Available only to alumni of the Sphinx Organization, these competitive grants are intended to “empower artists’ careers.”
CCMpower is a volunteer group of fans, advocates and alumni dedicated to empowering students and fueling the future of the arts through scholarship opportunities and more.
The competitive scholarships CCMpower provides help attract and retain the best and brightest students, nurture professional development opportunities and – in turn – continue CCM’s tradition of excellence for the next generation of student-artists. Join or renew your CCMpower membership today to help provide critical scholarship funds.
Join or renew your CCMpower member today to help provide critical scholarship funds. Visit ccm.weshareonline.org to learn more.
Located in the CCM Atrium, the Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 12:30-6 p.m.; Saturday, noon-4 p.m.; and one hour prior to curtain for all ticketed performances. MasterCard, Visa and Discover cards are accepted.
Convenient parking is available in the CCM Garage at the base of Corry Boulevard off of Jefferson Avenue. Additional parking is available in garages throughout the UC campus. Any questions concerning on-campus parking should be directed to UC Parking Services at 513-556-2283.
If you find that you cannot attend your performance, your tickets may be donated for tax credit as a charitable contribution. Simply notify the Box Office prior to the performance to release your seats, and give your name and address. A tax donation receipt will be mailed to you.
The health and safety of our community remains our top priority. Based on current conditions, performance venues will be reduced to 50% capacity and all individuals, including audience members and performers, are required to wear facial coverings indoors, following guidelines from the CDC and UC's physician-led COVID response team. Additional measures may be in place as conditions develop based on guidance from the CDC and UC's physician-led COVID response team. Visit the UC Public Health website and CCM's COVID-19 website for additional information and updates.
If you have lost an item, contact lost and found at 513-556-9413.
The House Manager has been instructed to minimize the disturbance to patrons already seated when accommodating latecomers. The director and producer of each production select times that are least likely to interrupt the performance, and latecomers will be seated only during these times. Latecomers who miss these opportunities will not be admitted until intermission. Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted.
The video or audio recording of performances is prohibited.
The use of cameras, with or without flashes, recording devices, cellular phones and other electronic devices inside the theater is prohibited. Please leave them with the House Manager.
Smoking and refreshments are not permitted in the theater. Effective May 1, 2017, smoking and tobacco use (including chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes) shall be prohibited by students, staff, faculty, visitors, vendors and contractors at all times in or on University of Cincinnati properties, including events on university property during non-school hours. This includes all shelters, indoor and outdoor theaters and athletic facilities, bridges, walkways, sidewalks, residence halls, parking lots, and street parking and garages owned by the university.
Telex listening devices are available for checkout during performances in both Patricia Corbett Theater and Corbett Auditorium. Please inquire at the Box Office.
Wheelchair seating is available in both Corbett Auditorium and Patricia Corbett Theater. Seating is limited, so reservations should be made with the Box Office when ordering tickets. These seats are subject to availability.
The Box Office can accommodate groups for major productions and concerts. Preview and benefit performances are also available for some productions. For more information, call the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183.
CCM's faculty and staff and its state-of-the-art facilities make possible the professional training and exceptional education on which CCM believes the future of the arts relies. The school's roster of eminent faculty regularly receives distinguished honors for creative and scholarly work, and its alumni have achieved notable success in the performing and media arts. More than 150 internationally recognized faculty members work with students from around the world, specializing in eight areas of study.
Performance dates and repertoire are subject to change. View CCM's current calendar of events.
The purpose of these performances is educational, and they are part of a University of Cincinnati academic program.
