Lyric Opera of Chicago

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by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
In Italian with projected English texts.
Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito is a new-to-Chicago production. Production of The Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, in coproduction with le Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse and l’Opéra de Marseille.
Approximate running time: 2h 50m

Polenzani and DiDonato singing. Davis conducting. McVicar’s production. And Mozart’s music. Season finales don’t come with better pedigrees than this presentation of La Clemenza di Tito.

Emperor Tito strives to be merciful, but there’s betrayal around every corner. He’s come to power because his father usurped the throne. Now, the deposed emperor’s daughter—manipulative Vitellia—wants either to become Tito’s wife or to have him murdered! The proposed assassin? Sesto—her obsessed lover and Tito’s closest friend!

Personal and political power plays in Rome take center stage in this musically ravishing and dramatically complex story. This is Mozart at his most modern—with riveting, desperately conflicted characters and extraordinary music for both solo voice and chorus.

A highlight of the prestigious 2011 Aix-en-Provence Festival, this production is filled with theatrical urgency and fire. “McVicar’s direction is characteristically sharp, adding psychological complexity and bringing the drama to life.” The Telegraph, London

Lyric Opera presentation of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito generously made possible by Julie and Roger Baskes, The Negaunee Foundation, and Roberta L. and Robert J. Washlow.

Starring

Tito

Matthew Polenzani

The role of Tito requires beauty of sound combined with incomparable musicality and flexibility: Matthew Polenzani has it all. He’s heir to the great line of Mozart tenors with “his rich tone, supple phrasing, and ardent delivery.” The New York Times
Sesto

Joyce DiDonato

Talk about dream casting! The remarkable Joyce DiDonato portrays Sesto, one of the mezzo repertoire’s greatest roles. “Staggering, joyful artistry…DiDonato is a transformative presence.” Gramophone
Vitellia

Amanda Majeski

Amanda Majeski “threw herself into Vitellia’s neurotic edginess…a genuine tour de force performance that brought down the house.” Chicago Tribune

	Tito Matthew Polenzani
	Sesto Joyce DiDonato
	Vitellia Amanda Majeski
	Annio Cecelia Hall
	Servilia Emily Birsan
	Publio Christian Van Horn
	Conductor Sir Andrew Davis
	Original Director Sir David McVicar
	Revival Director Marie Lambert
	Set Designer Sir David McVicar
	Costume Designer Jenni Tiramani*
	Lighting Designer Jennifer Tipton
	Chorus Master Michael Black