The Rivals, Op. 67 (2002)

[Mechem's] operatic adaptation of the great Restoration comedy of the same name by Richard Brinsley Sheridan has few rivals among its contemporaries.
The Wichita-born Mechem was clearly inspired by the comic operas of Mozart and, especially, Rossini. Determined to write an American piece, he transposed the setting from Bath, England, to the gold coast of Newport, Rhode Island, at the turn of the century, where a cast of poseurs, pretenders and social climbers would feel at home.

It works surprisingly well. I say "surprisingly," because the play is sheer farce and calls for split-second timing, which is not necessarily the calling card of the opera world, where tears more often than not are the bitcoin of the realm, unless you look to the denizens of Rossini's most famous buffa pieces. And the composer has.

Although Mechem used a variety of musical American styles--ragtime, Broadway, e.g.--in the course of the piece, this is definitely an opera, filled with charming and comic ensembles and arias of every sort, short of a mad scene. The composer has done a marvelous job in both the music and libretto telling the story of...--well, the plot's not the thing but how it's put across and the details, frankly, make it sound less than it is.

"Absolute perfection . . . as buoyant and hilarious as a classic screwball
comedy, [with] glorious music. There’s nothing old-fashioned about it — we’re just a costume change away from something right out of Real Housewives of Newport. It’s one of the finest
pieces of music theater I’ve seen in some time — on any stage."

"An absolutely delightful evening of music and theater. It uses colorful music to define characters and set a comic pace that accelerates throughout the piece.
Even the music under stage business is engaging and melodic."

"A hit, an instant classic. . . beautiful and jaunty tunes that align neatly with
plot and character. He develops these musical ideas ingeniously, accumulating meaning and richness through their iterations.. Mechem is also his own librettist; rarely have words fit music so
well. . . . This opera has rhythm, in every sense."

"The Rivals Plays very much like an opera for people who don't think they like opera."

Pure Joy in Skylight Premiere Mechem’s bubbly score sings. Voices take to it happily and gratefully. . . The musical style is fluid and easy on the ear. Details of orchestration enrich the well-crafted score. Defined numbers emerge, some with Americana touches of the period, such as ragtime, music hall songs, and band shell concerts. . . the entire piece is charming and enjoyable.

Irresistible . . . Mechem’s fresh, classical work will be a significant factor to the
art’s future, and will enrich the opera fan while tempting those who might like to try
opera for the first time. . . had the audience standing on their feet.