Mattia Venni was a sensational Crispino — his handsome baritone and capacity for self-parody allowed him to evolve from the melodramatic sobs of an almost-suicide scene to the complacent patter of success.

Starred bass-baritone Mattia Venni as a hilarious Crispino, who brilliantly executed the rapid Italian patter and the subtle physical comedy of the role.

Brescia-born bass-baritone Mattia Venni as Crispino was history in the making. Venni’s voice is unmatched in its brilliancy, purity and exactness in detail towards Italian diction. The way his voice gently delivers the most nuanced parts of the Italian language is history in the making. I have never experienced Italian like how I felt when listening to his voice. I was transported!” “I also have to mention his attitude, and I do think this is transparent no matter a singer’s role on stage, is a delight. He exemplified care and honored the presence of every cast member for the entire production. His supportive actions spoke volumes. And he was the lead! I really want to see more of this happening, a lead being a true leader!

The superb young Italian Mattia Venni in a star-making portrayal of the endearing, then annoying Crispino. The Brescia-born Venni tirelessly traced Crispino’s fall and rise with a richly characterful bass-baritone that tripped through rapid-fire patter with a minimum of buffo schtick.

Captaining the trio of main characters, the Italian bass-baritone Mattia Venni was a Crispino shoemaker overflowing with humor, humanity and pathos, with a well-sounding voice of great quality and ductility. His perfect “saying” full of accents, with the right intention, without excesses and always perfectly understandable in singing, made each of his sentences become a kind of sung theater.

The revelation of the cast was Brescia born Italian bass-baritone Mattia Venni as Crispino. He proved a total stage animal, acting the role with his whole body, with great spontaneity and comedic verve. His interpretation was directed more towards wit and satire rather than buffoonish clowning. His lean bass-baritone is pithy and nimble.

Crispino — a plucky unscrupulous striver whom Venni played to comic perfection, relishing every syllable yet maintaining a firm tonal core.

The wonderful bass-baritone Mattia Venni in the title role stood out whenever he was on stage.

Heading the list is Mattia Venni. With his attractive baritone, he sweeps the scale for self-mimicry; one could not hope for a better Crispino.

One could not have asked for a better Crispino than bass-baritone Mattia Venni whose comedic chops were matched by some superb singing. Whether legato or staccato, whether solo or in duet or trio, his sturdy but flexible vocal production was a standout. Rapid patter presented no problems. We would welcome the opportunity to hear him again.

Captaining the trio of main characters, the Italian bass-baritone Mattia Venni was a Crispino shoemaker overflowing with humor, humanity and pathos, with a well-sounding voice of great quality and ductility. His perfect “saying” full of accents, with the right intention, without excesses and always perfectly understandable in singing, made each of his sentences become a kind of sung theater.