This week’s picks are all about debuts. We’re talking about house debuts for artists, house debuts for operas, and in one case a role and house debut all in one. It’s going to be a fun weekend with the biggest challenge likely coming down to where you want to be on Saturday night. Orfeo ed Euridice – Florida Grand Opera {…}
There was much anticipation Saturday night for the opening of “Faust” at Lyric Opera of Chicago in a new co-production with the Portland Opera. It’s certain that Gounod’s tale of the title character making a deal with the devil has never been told this way. There’s probably a clear dividing line on this production. If you prefer a grand opera {…}
It’s a big weekend around the United States with two high-profile opera companies showcasing the debut of major productions. In this week’s picks, you will see a mix of major stars and big companies with up-and-comers at smaller organizations. Here are our top five picks in alphabetical order by company. Faust – Lyric Opera of Chicago Superstar soprano Ailyn Pérez {…}
The basic premise of “Così fan tutte” is that the women are the butt of the joke as they are fooled by wily old Don Alfonso and the maid Despina into falling for men from distant Albania while believing that their lovers are away having gone to war. Despite that plot point, it is fair to say “advantage women” for {…}
Is art merely a form of entertainment or can it serve a greater purpose? Many people believe the latter is true although it’s possible that they are deluding themselves in order to partake in something they enjoy. It’s a question that can be debated forever. It came to mind for me this past week when I attended Lawrence Brownlee’s “Cycles {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced the cast for its annual musical theater showcase, “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The production arrives on April 27, 2018 and runs all the way through May 20, 2018. The performances are slated to feature such artists as Heath Saunders, Ryan Shaw, Jo Lampert, Michael Cunio, Mykal Kilgore, Shaun Fleming, Josepht Anthony Byrd, Cavin Cornwall, {…}
Fans of bel canto opera were treated nearly a year ago to the first mounting of “Norma” at Lyric Opera of Chicago in 20 years with a dream cast that included Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role. Those fans have waited since the 1991-92 season to see Bellini’s final work, the masterful “I Puritani,” which I saw Saturday night in {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago is joining hundreds of cultural institutions across the globe in honoring the 100th birthday of legendary American composer, conductor, pianist, and educator Leonard Bernstein. In honor of his centennial, the Lyric opera will present a concert on March 10, 2018 featuring two-time Tony-nominated Broadway singer and actress Kate Baldwin and opera stars Susan Graham and {…}
Lawrence Brownlee is one of the great bel canto tenors of this generation, singing the works of Donizetti, Rossini, and Bellini, among others, to tremendous critical success around the globe. He is currently in the midst of a run in one of his signature roles as Arturo in Bellini’s “I Puritani” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and prepping for {…}
The 2018-19 season at the Lyric Opera of Chicago is going to be a lot of fun. The company will be showcasing quite a number of new productions and bringing in some major stars for returns or debuts with the company. Let’s look at the top five performers that excite us most in this upcoming season. Anna Netrebko The Russian {…}
Lyric Opera of Chicago announced its 2018-19 season today, marking the fourth planned together by general director Anthony Freud and music director Sir Andrew Davis. Members of the media, including this OperaWire writer, were treated to a discussion with both gentlemen on the stage with the set of “I Puritani” in the backdrop. Here are some notes and highlights of {…}