Nov 19, 2021

Russell Thomas & Tamara Wilson Headline Lyric Opera of Chicago’s ‘Verdi Voices’

By David Salazar

The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its “Verdi Voices” concert set for Feb. 6, 2022.

The showcase, which will be led by conductor and new company Music Director Enrique Mazzola, will star soprano Tamara Wilson and tenor Russell Thomas as they take on major moments from Verdi’s iconic canon of operas. Audiences will get a chance to hear music from “La Forza del Destino,” “La Traviata,” “Nabucco,” “Simon Boccanegra,” “Ernani,” “Aida,” and “Otello.”

Wilson made her Lyric Opera of Chicago debut in “Il Trovatore” and recently took on the role of Odabella in a performance of “Attila.” Meanwhile, Thomas made his name with the company as Manrico in “Il Trovatore” during the 2018-19 season.

Mazzola kicked off his tenure with the company with a production of Verdi’s “Macbeth” and previously led “Luisa Miller” during the 2019-20 season. He also featured Verdi in many of his programs during the digital 2020-21 season including “The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown” and “Attila: Breaking Down the Score.”

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By David Salazar

Prior to creating OperaWire, DAVID SALAZAR, (Editor-in-Chief) worked as a reporter for Latin Post where he interviewed major opera stars including Placido Domingo, Anna Netrebko, Vittorio Grigolo, Diana Damrau and Rolando Villazon among others. His 2014 interview with opera star Kristine Opolais was cited in a New York Times Review.

He also had the opportunity of interviewing numerous Oscar nominees, Golden Globe winners and film industry giants such as Guillermo del Toro, Oscar Isaac and John Leguizamo among others.

David holds a Masters in Media Management from Fordham University. During his time at Fordham, he studied abroad at the Jagiellonian University in Poland. He also holds a dual bachelor’s from Hofstra University in Film Production and Journalism.