Chicago City Opera’s Quest For “Der Rosenkavalier”

By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano

Chicago City Opera’s production at Fulton Street Collective was in an intimate space which felt as if we were at a French salon, hanging on every nuance of the farcical comedic romp with mistaken identities and scheming, not missing a beat literally.

Soprano Alannah Spencer (Marschallin) commanded the stage with her resonating voice – her visceral visual expressions were magnetic. Molly Clementz was amazing as Octavian and chambermaid Mariandel, to throw off the unexpected appearance of philandering Baron Ochs, played by a hilariously animated Keaton Payne, who’s searching for the title figure, a rose knight.

Al Kassouf excellently portrayed the bride-to-be Sophie Von Faninal, and as her father Fanial, Noah Gartner was stentorian. Ariel Emma was sonorous as Marianne. The Marchallin servants – Matthew Peekham as Valzacchi and Angela Born as Amina – were impeccable as the thread holding together the ever changing characters and scenes, motivated together with slapstick gusto…

A joyous end and standing ovation to this entertaining Strauss opera, conducted by artistic director Alexis Enyart with piano by Jordan Crice. The work of costume designer Donna Spencer and the scenic design by Adam Nicholson was harnessed together superbly by director Rose Freeman and assistant director Abigail Greer Arcomona. I was totally immersed noticing details, admiring the talent, hard work, and love from this close knit group of creatives which went into this production – for future offerings by Chicago City Opera, please see www.chicagocityopera.com. 

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