CMU School of Drama


Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Baritone delivers a superb 'Falstaff'

Post Gazette: "Technically it is impossible to steal the show when you are already the main character. But somehow that's what baritone Mark Delavan did with his brilliantly funny portrayal of Sir John Falstaff in the Pittsburgh Opera's production of Verdi's 'Falstaff.' A commanding presence vocally and visually in the production that opened Saturday night at the Benedum Center, you didn't want Delavan to leave the stage."

1 comment:

S. Kael said...

Seeing this show during a tech rehearsal, I can definitely say that this review pins all of the strengths and weaknesses in the show. Falstaff was absolutely wonderful, each gesture completely necessary to his character development (the man sits for much of the inn scenes because, presumably, of his girth) and his voice nothing less than spectacular. And the women did trip over themselves quite often. Not that they didn't have the energy, but as a whole they fought with one another over the music and ended up cancelling out the talent of their partners. Alas, the opera was quite good, and I am sure many of the kinks were worked out by the end of the run