Music Review : ‘Impresario’ and ‘Prima Donna’ at Northridge

In theory, the theater and music departments of Cal State Northridge are putting on an operatic double bill this week in the Little Theater at Northridge.

In fact, Mozart’s “The Impresario” and Arthur Benjamin’s “Prima Donna” constitute a costume party for four student sopranos, who get to dress up in extraordinary motley, act outrageously and sing extravagant music under the pretext of portraying opera singers.

Mozart’s loving spoof really requires actual rival high sopranos--say, Joan Sutherland and Beverly Sills--playing off each other for its true, layered sophistication to prevail. Here, stage director Marc Jacobs drew hyperactive Broadway shtick from his earnest cast. Janet Momjian held the stage very well as Mme. Heartmelt, but alternated full, rich speaking with vinegary singing.

Jacobs updated Benjamin’s weak, creaky 1933 opera from the 18th Century to the present. The rehearsal room where the previous opera’s divas had fought it out is now a living room, the still-standing theater having been converted to condominiums 200 years later.

Neither plot premise nor text--wimpy nephew, in tizzy because visiting uncle demands local prima donna to sing for his private pleasure, exclaims “Curses!” and “Damnation!”--fits, but Cathy Susan Pyles’ glitzy modern decors are a visual boon.

The paramount goal of these young singers seemed to be impressively loud high notes. All paid the same price for them, too--pinched, hard tone lacking in pleasant quality, and vanishing middle and lower ranges.

Jason Daniel’s small baritone showed signs of judicious cultivation, and Sandra L. Walden had the goods for the sexy maid.

David Aks and his intrepid 15-piece band functioned supportively throughout.