WATCH: 'Becoming Susanna,' a CCM mini documentary about 'The Marriage of Figaro'
See how CCM students and faculty work together to bring a beloved opera character to life
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into CCM performances courtesy of the new Backstage at CCM documentary series.
In the debut episode of CCM's new series of mini documentaries, viewers can follow along as soprano Emma Marhefka, a first-year Master of Music student in Voice Performance at CCM, transforms into the character of Susanna from Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.
Titled Becoming Susanna, the episode explores how Marhefka works with students and faculty members from CCM's Departments of Opera, Make-up and Wig Design and Costume Design and Technology to bring one of opera's most beloved characters to life.
The Becoming Susanna behind-the-scenes video was created by students and faculty members from CCM's Media Production Division. Watch the mini documentary below.
CCM's production of The Marriage of Figaro ran Nov. 18-21, 2021, in Corbett Auditorium. Classical music writer Janelle Gelfand included the production in her round up of "great musical memories" from 2021 for the Cincinnati Business Courier, writing: "Staging by Robin Guarino, professor of opera, allowed each character to shine. The high caliber of singing – through face masks, no less — and the playing by the pit orchestra made it necessary to keep reminding myself that these were students." Learn more about the opera.
Featured image: A performance shot of the opera The Marriage of Figaro taken from the mini documentary Becoming Susanna.
There's More To Explore!
Watch recent CCM performances on demand by visiting our website.
Looking for CCM's School, Stage & Screen podcast? Tune in here.
Additional Contacts
Related Stories
Pocket-sized population threat
May 18, 2026
The Financial Times took a deep dive into why populations around the world continue to be on the decline. The publication cited new University of Cincinnati research as part of the investigation that looks at the fall of fertility in the digital era.
UC finds integrating substance use disorder treatment into clinic-based internal medicine expands access to care
May 18, 2026
A University of Cincinnati primary care teaching clinic integrates substance use disorder treatment into resident training, expanding access to addiction care and boosting physician confidence.
A jolly good trip: Bearcats take on London for fragrance company
May 18, 2026
Six NEXT Innovation Scholars at the University of Cincinnati traveled to London to transform field research into actionable recommendations for British luxury bath, body and fragrance brand Molton Brown.