The companion to this company’s excellent production of Susannah, Shakespeare Opera Theatre’s production of Kirke Mechem’s Tartuffe proved no less transporting. With a beautiful chandelier by Cleta Raymond and sumptuous set designed by Dr. Lori Lind, the production brought the audience to eighteenth-century France even before the performance began, as the venue has no curtain and allows the audience to soak in the world of the opera while mingling and enjoying food and drink.
Cue the music beginning with pianist and conductor Dr. Lisa Bloy, a whiz at the keys who pays very close attention to what the singers are doing, deftly and expertly transitioning from Mechem’s repeated sections at cues taken from the goings-on onstage.
Mechem’s music is charming, with the iconic aria “Fair Robin I Love” coming back at the end of the show to bring the preceding chaos full-circle. Holly Breivik as Dorine sings the aria wonderfully. With a lovely, easy and resonant soprano, she had no compunctions about taking the time she needed to deliver maximum comedic and dramatic impact both here and elsewhere, nailing the sass of this character. She used the silences mindfully, and her delivery of the recitative sections was also very enjoyable.
In addition to that specific aria, Mechem makes the rest of the score quite clever, with a tricky trio in the first act between Mariane, Valère, and Dorine. Later, in the second act quartet, he successfully conveys the cacophony of the family all ganging up on Orgon, the much-put-upon patriarch, to the point that one starts to sympathize.
Playing Orgon was Vincent Fung. With a fabulous and ostentatious wig that the other male characters strive to imitate later on, Fung played Orgon as adorable and naïve, even with his beautiful, rich bass voice and aristocratic bearing. Lily Scalisi as his mother Madame Pernelle made a beautiful impression in both look and strong mezzo-soprano voice. Emily Rich as his wife Elmire showed off a gorgeous mezzo-soprano and did an especially good job carrying the opening scene of the third act.
Overall, the small size of the venue allowed the cast to have subtle reactions, which worked in the space. And the acting and diction of each member of the cast is to be celebrated. Monica Niemi as Mariane showed great comic timing. Michael Pistorio as Tartuffe brought hilarious physicality. He and Rich played off of each other brilliantly. JP Gorski played Damis, a role that not only fit him like a glove vocally, but also acting-wise as the indignation and exasperation of his character came through.
Vocally, all of the singers must be commended for navigating a difficult score. Niemi as Mariane stood out for her powerful voice, another gorgeous soprano in a cast full of them, yet again distinguishing herself with beautiful legato in her second act aria. Kurt Lanetti made for a lovely Valère, with his tenor standing out brilliantly in the second act sextet. Pistorio had a great middle and high register. Some resonance was lost in the lower register, perhaps partly due to the room acoustics, but it was still an excellent performance.
As part of Lind’s excellent direction and production design, she chose the beautiful costumes from A l’entrada SHOP, owned on Etsy by Slava Proko. Each costume was at least as sumptuous as the set, if not more so. The highlight came in the third act, with several costume changes and more of the male characters donning outrageous wigs that compelled smiles and laughter.
All in all, this production of Tartuffe was a fun, well acted-and-directed romp to round out Shakespeare Opera Theatre’s summer season, a true pleasure to witness.
Maggie Ramsey
Tartuffe
Music and Libretto by Kirke Mechem
Cast and Production Staff:
Madame Pernelle – Lily Scalisi, Emily Warren; Elmire – Emily Rich, Eliana Berrean; Mariane – Monica Niemi, Kristine Overman; Dorine – Holly Breivik; Tartuffe – Michael Pistorio, JP Gorksi (Cover); Laurent – Antony Zwerdling; Damis – JP Gorski; Valère – Kurt Lannetti, Nico Caruso; Orgon – Vincent Fung
Stage Director/Production Design/Production Manager – Dr. Lori Lind; Collaborative Pianist/Conductor – Dr. Lisa Bloy; Scenic Carpenter – Foreman – Ray Raymond; Scenic Carpenter – Chuck Grimes, Wade Smith; Scenic Carpenter – Apprentice – Peyton Vecera; Lighting Design/ASM – Rory Miles; Production Assistant – Grey Reynolds; Jewelry and Chandelier Assembly – Cleta Raymond; Graphic Designer and Website Developer/Designer – Laura Sage
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, McLean, VA, July 16, 2026
All photos by Dr. Lori Lind