CCM dubbed "Best of Cincinnati" by CityBeat readers and staff

CCM's production of The Marriage of Figaro won the staff pick for "Best Standing Ovation." Directed by CCM Opera Professor Robin Guarino and conducted by CCM graduate student Brian McCann, the opera ran Nov. 18-21, 2021, in Corbett Auditorium. The CityBeat staff wrote that the standing ovation at the close of the performance was "one of the loudest we've heard in a long time." Read the full Best of Cincinnati entry:

"The rousing production of Mozart’s sublime comedy The Marriage of Figaro by the opera department of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music earned an equally rousing, well-deserved standing ovation, one of the loudest we’ve heard in a long time. A breathtaking romp of brilliant singing and staging featured a nimble cast all performing in masks. You’d never know it: Every word projected into the hall was crisply articulated and beautifully sung. Director Robin Guarino’s skillful direction brought out the opera’s exploration of sexual abuse, class and privilege, and the sly humor underlying everything and everyone. It was fleet, fast and funny, deftly accompanied by the always superb CCM Philharmonia led by student conductor Brian McCann. The highlight was Cherubino’s escape in Act II. This excessively hormonal character usually jumps out a window upstage, but Guarino had him leap into the orchestra pit. Gasps were followed by delighted cheers." 

The CCM Digital team recorded the college's performance of The Marriage of Figaro, which will be released for on-demand viewing in late April. In the meantime, you can enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the work students, faculty and staff put into the production courtesy of the Backstage at CCM mini-documentary series: watch "Becoming Susanna" now.

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CCM ensemble-in-residence, the Cincinnati Youth Choir, took third place in the "Best Local Vocal Arts Group" reader poll. The Cincinnati Youth Choir is an educationally based choral ensemble program. Participants learn healthy vocal technique, sight-reading, music history and music theory while experiencing performance excellence using the philosophies and techniques of Carl Orff, Zoltan Kodaly, Jacques Dalcroze and Jerome Brunner. The learning environment is creative, explorative and fun. The children form lasting relationships with children outside of their community and develop a lifelong appreciation of music. The choir will present a concert titled Metamorphosis at CCM's Corbett Audoriutm at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 1; tickets are avialble online.

Congratulations to all of our friends and partners also featured in this special issue of CityBeat! Read more on CityBeat's website or view the digital version of the issue. 

Featured image at the top: Best of Cincinnati graphic/CityBeat