It’s a big weekend in North America with four major companies opening their doors for the first time in 2019-20. As such, we have a plethora of major works to recommend, including two new operas that are sure to fulfill the interest of those who want something a bit different from the familiar path. Here are our top five*** opera {…}
(Credit:©Jean-Baptiste Millot Photograph) For the past 10 years, Enrique Mazzola has become one of the leading Bel Canto conductors in the world and a leading specialist in French works. He is the Principal Guest Conductor at Deutsche Oper Berlin and has served as Artistic & Music Director of the Orchestre National d’Île de France. But now he is set to {…}
(Credit: Eric Garault Photography) The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that current Music Director and Principal Conductor Sir Andrew Davis plans to step down at the end of the 2020-21 season. Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola is set to succeed him in the role. Davis has held his position at the Lyric Opera since 2000, and plans to lead “The {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that the new production of the acclaimed Broadway musical “The Light in the Piazza” will be presented for limited engagements. The company announced that Renée Fleming will star as Margaret Johnson with a cast that will include Broadway and West End stars. The new production of “The Light in the Piazza” will be {…}
The Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Lyric Unlimited is set to showcase “Earth to Kenzie” on Nov. 9 and 10, 2019. The work tells the story of the titular fifth grader who escapes to the world of video games with her avatar Edwin to avoid many of the challenges she faces in the real world. The opera, which is aimed at {…}
Opera America has announced the recipients for the grants given to female composers. The recipients include Du Yun, for her opera “Sweet Land;” this work is set to be presented by The Industry in Los Angeles, California. The work was written by Douglas Kearny and Aja Couchois and will also be co-composed by Raven Chacon. Next up is Caroline Shaw {…}
The Callas in Concert hologram tour is set to appear in Chicago this fall. The performance of the showcase features the famed diva in hologram form performing a number of her signature arias. The performance in Chicago is set for Sept. 7, 2019 with tickets going on sale on June 6, 2019. “This is something special, and given today’s culture, {…}
Maestro Michael Christie will work as guest conductor with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. Christie will lead a performance that features music from Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” “Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” Argento’s “The Aspern Papers,” Donizetti’s “La Fille du Régiment,” and Berlioz’s “The Corsair. Among the singers that will perform are Mathilda Edge, soprano; Emily Pogorelc, soprano; Kayleigh {…}
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago is set to showcase “Rising Stars in Concert” on April 7, 2019. The event, which will take place at the Lyric Opera House, will feature sopranos Whitney Morrison, Emily Pogorelc, and Ann Toomey; mezzo-soprano Kayleigh Decker; contralto Lauren Decker; tenors Eric Ferring, Josh Lovell, and Mario Rojas; baritones Christopher Kenney and Ricardo José Rivera; bass-baritones Alan {…}
Giorgio Berrugi has canceled tonight’s performance of Verdi’s “La Traviata.” The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that due to the flu, Berrugi will not be able to perform tonight. As a result, second-year Ryan Opera Center member Mario Rojas will sing the role of Alfredo. Rojas made his Lyric opera debut as Borsa in “Rigoletto” during the 2017-18 Lyric {…}
Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that Emily Birsan will step in to replace Albina Shagimuratova in today’s performance of Verdi’s “La Traviata.” The company announced that Shagimuratova is suffering from laryngitis and is therefore unable to perform. This marks the third performance that Shagimuratova cancels during the run. Birsan in an alumnus of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. {…}