in performance: Love and Marriage… of Figaro

There’s nothing the sybaritic singer loves more than combining her vices: opera, food, friends, and cocktails in one evening. In a lovely kickoff to the weekend, I had the opportunity to drop in on a preview performance of The Figaro Project (Baltimore’s newest opera company) at Germano’s Trattoria.

We all know that during economic hardship one is hardpressed to find real cultural joys available at a fraction of the “grand opera” price. The Figaro Project is designer opera at a bargain (actually FREE) price. Caitlin Vincent, soprano, founded this upstart company to give young singers a chance while making opera accessible and affordable to the Greater Baltimore Area. The Mainstage Production of The Figaro Project will take place on May 16, 2010 (3pm) at First English Lutheran Church (3807 N. Charles St.)

As a nice preview to the Mainstage Production in May, Love and Marriage… of Figaro was comprised of snippets from the final show as well as some entertaining and heartfelt performances of miscellaneous songs and arias. A perennial Baltimore favorite, Jason Buckwalter, provided the audience with his signature super-sized characters in the Largo al Factotum as well as in duets with Vincent and Nathan Wyatt. Wyatt, sure to be a very hunky Figaro, sings with breadth and charm.

Caitlin Vincent and Lydia Beasley are sure to shine in the May production. Beasley will make a very convincing Countess, sounding especially authoritative and warm in her middle range. Vincent’s ebulient character depiction was evident in her performances as Susanna as well as in the aria “Je Suis Encore” from Manon.