Lyric Opera

Lyric Opera of Chicago: Aida

George Preston & Roger Pines — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Airs Saturday, June 30 at 12:00 noon. Here it is—the granddaddy of grand-opera spectacle—complete with pyramids and potentates, priestesses and dancing girls, plus armies of soldiers and slaves! At its heart, a treacherous love triangle and a relationship that was never meant to be. Aida, the enslaved Ethiopian princess, and Radames, leader of the Egyptian army that conquered her homeland, long to be together forever. But someone else wants Radames, too—it’s Amneris, the jealous daughter of the Pharaoh himself! Impassioned arias, surging choruses, and exhilarating orchestral music show us Verdi at the peak of his powers–masterfully balancing pomp and pageantry with a deeply moving personal tragedy.

Lyric Opera of Chicago: Show Boat

George Preston & Roger Pines — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Airs Saturday, June 16 at 12:00 noon. This spectacular new production marshals the choral and orchestral forces of our world-renowned company to present Show Boat in all its glory! Created in 1927, this seminal masterpiece gave American musical theater and opera a new voice — one with powerful subject matter, astonishing musical variety and an unmistakably American atmosphere. Moving from 1890s Mississippi to Chicago to “Roaring 20s” Broadway, Show Boat follows the lives of a company of theater folk — deeply involving us in their triumphs and sorrows, while illuminating the racial and social changes that were shaping the country. You’ll love every character: Julie, Joe, Queenie…and especially Magnolia and Ravenal. She’s an aspiring young actress; he’s an irresistible, gambling cad who leaves her when his luck runs out. But Magnolia moves on with her life — eventually becoming a major star. Unforgettable songs, dazzling choreography, and an epic story that moves us with its humanity — Show Boat is both great entertainment and great art.

Lyric Opera of Chicago: Richard Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos

George Preston & Roger Pines — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Airs Saturday, June 9 at 12:00 noon. Vienna’s richest man is planning an incredible party. First — guests will enjoy a serious opera (the Prima Donna plays Ariadne, who’s ready to die on the island of Naxos because her lover’s jilted her). Then comes a ribald comedy, starring saucy Zerbinetta (who’s got a Ph.D. in flirting). And finally, there’s to be a pyrotechnic display. But the host suddenly decides both productions must take place simultaneously so the fireworks can start promptly at nine! The Composer’s aghast and the Prima Donna’s horrified. But watch what happens when Zerbinetta gets into the act and determines that Ariadne’s “tragedy” shouldn’t end unhappily after all! This is Strauss à la Rosenkavalier, with sparkling, luscious music that wraps itself around a witty comedy.

As Ariadne, Amber Wagner is vocally thrilling. Her voice is truly dramatic, with both amplitude and nuance. Zerbinetta’s all about stratospheric vocal acrobatics — ideal for Anna Christy, who entrances listeners with her coloratura fireworks display. The Composer is a poster child for impetuosity, and Alice Coote’s portrayal oozes emotional energy — her singing is glorious. Bacchus must sweep Ariadne off her feet — and tenor sensation Brandon Jovanovich will do just that, vocally descending from the heavens with swashbuckling boldness!

Lyric Opera of Chicago: Mozart's The Magic Flute

George Preston & Roger Pines — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Airs Saturday, June 2 at 12:00 noon. Look out for dancing bears and dinosaurs as into the enchanted forest we go! Lyric’s inspired production reflects the composer himself — seamlessly blending emotional profundity with slapstick humor that appeals to the kid in us all. With a hapless and endearing birdcatcher as his sidekick, Prince Tamino is searching for the girl of his dreams. The mysterious Queen of the Night says her daughter’s the one — and just waiting to be rescued from the evil wizard, Sarastro. But it turns out he’s not the evil one at all! A young couple’s journey to adulthood, the search for universal truths, Masonic rituals and religious allegory — Flute gives us much to ponder, and music that’s a wondrous joy!

The performance is crowned by the passionate, womanly Pamina of Nicole Cabell...her vibrant lyric soprano floats exquisitely above the staff. Looking every inch the prince with charisma to spare, the extravagantly gifted Charles Castronovo gives a wonderful performance as Tamino. With his marvelously rich sound, Austrian bass Günther Groissböck makes an impressive and sonorous Sarastro. Stéphane Degout’s Papageno is funny, sexy and touching. Audrey Luna brings down the house as Queen of the Night.

Lyric Opera of Chicago: Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor

George Preston & Roger Pines — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Airs Saturday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m. “Both heaven and earth have abandoned me.” Lucia In Scotland, Lucia and Edgardo are breathlessly, desperately in love. But their two clans are bitter rivals, so Lucia’s villainous brother Enrico sets out to kill his young sister’s romance. And he deploys every devious device he can muster, including lies, forgery, and finally the false revelation of Edgardo’s infidelity.