Audio
Backstage at Lyric #114
Discovery Series: Hercules
March 3, 2011
Hercules
languished in obscurity for almost two centuries and didn’t receive its first modern performance until 1925! Director Peter Sellars gives us a new production with a fresh perspective on Handel’s 1745 creation. For this Discovery Session, The University of Chicago’s renowned mythologist Wendy Doniger and the ever-brilliant Sellars delve into the timeless themes and compelling characters of the work now considered one of the supreme achievements of its age.
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Backstage at Lyric #113
Lohengrin: Johan Botha
February 11, 2011
South African tenor Johan Botha, who previously starred at Lyric in La Gioconda, Pagliacci, and Turandot, is renowned internationally for his portrayal of many of the most formidably difficult roles in the repertoire. One of his specialties is Wagner's Lohengrin, with which he's making his eagerly awaited return to Lyric this season. The role has been a triumph for him at the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, and the Vienna Staatsoper - he also appears in an acclaimed Lohengrin recording now on CD. In this conversation with Lyric broadcast host George Preston, Botha brings all of his sensitivity and experience to bear on the complexities of this eternally fascinating role.
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Backstage at Lyric #112
Lohengrin: Michaela Schuster
February 11, 2011
German mezzo-soprano Michaela Schuster is making her Lyric debut in one of the most fearsomely challenging roles in the entire Wagner repertoire, Ortrud in Lohengrin. Ortrud has brought Schuster huge acclaim in Copenhagen and Munich (her portrayal in the recent new production at Munich’s Bayerische Staatsoper is now on DVD). Schuster is a star of all the major German houses, as well as Covent Garden and the Vienna Staatsoper. Ortrud has often been regarded as a one-dimensional villainess, but here -- in conversation with Lyric dramaturg and broadcast commentator Roger Pines – Schuster reveals the human dimension behind the villainy of this alluring and intriguing character.
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Backstage at Lyric #111
Discovery Series: Lohengrin
February 5, 2011
Some see it as Wagner's first masterpiece. Others say it was his stepping-stone to the Ring cycle. Either way, Lohengrin is the perfect melding of vocal and orchestral forces and a dramatic tour de force! Join Emily Magee (Elsa), Greer Grimsley (Telramund), and conductor Sir Andrew Davis in an exploration of the master's 1850 magnum opus.
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Backstage at Lyric #110
2011/12 SEASON PREVIEW WITH MUSIC DIRECTOR SIR ANDREW DAVIS
February 4, 2011
Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric's renowned music director, introduces listeners to the 2011-12 season, including commentary and musical highlights from all eight operas.
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Backstage at Lyric #109
Discovery Series: The Girl of the Golden West
January 21, 2011
Sagebrush verismo! Rough-and tumble characters, soaring arias, and a harmonically sumptuous score in the original spaghetti Western! Deborah Voigt (Minnie), Marcello Giordani (Dick Johnson), and conductor Sir Andrew Davis hitch up the buckboard and head west for a look at this most adventuresome addition to the Puccini oeuvre.
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Backstage at Lyric #108
The Mikado: James Morris
December 17, 2010
A legendary artist and a great Lyric favorite, American bass-baritone James Morris has long been celebrated throughout the world in many of the most formidable roles in the repertoire, including Wagner’s Wotan and Dutchman, Puccini’s Scarpia, and the four villains of Offenbach’s TALES OF HOFFMANN. But Morris is also a big fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, and he was delighted to return to Lyric this season in the title role of THE MIKADO. He discusses this amazing change of pace in conversation with Lyric broadcast host George Preston of 98.7WFMT.
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Backstage at Lyric #107
The Mikado: Andriana Chuchman and Toby Spence
December 17, 2010
Canadian soprano Andriana Chuchman, a Ryan Opera Center alumna who is rapidly establishing herself with important companies throughout North America, is returning to Lyric after her captivating portrayal of Valencienne in last season’s Merry Widow. English tenor Toby Spence, a star of both of the major London companies and one of the most prominent British artists internationally, is debuting at Lyric Opera this season. These two singers play opposite each other in The Mikado as the two lovers, Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo. In a conversation with Lyric dramaturg and broadcast commentator Roger Pines, Chuchman and Spence speak about their characterizations in the G&S work, and about Lyric’s new production.
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Backstage at Lyric #107
The Mikado: Toby Spence and Andriana Chuchmann
December 3, 2010
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Backstage at Lyric #106
The Mikado: Sir Andrew Davis
December 2, 2010
Lyric’s music director revealed his immense enthusiasm for Gilbert and Sullivan when he led the company premiere of The Pirates of Penzance (2003-04). Now he’s back on the podium for the new production of The Mikado, which he discusses in a lively conversation with the company’s dramaturg, Roger Pines.
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Backstage at Lyric #105
Discovery Series: The Mikado
December 2, 2010
One of the most frequently performed stage works in history! Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado has delighted audiences since its 1885 premiere. Gary Griffin, Toby Spence and Neal Davies discuss the 125 year-old socio-political comedy and the two geniuses who created it.
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Backstage at Lyric #104
A Masked Ball: Stephanie Blythe
November 23, 2010
No Lyric debut in recent seasons has been more eagerly anticipated than that of Stephanie Blythe. The American mezzo-soprano, a star of the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, and the Opéra National de Paris, is universally recognized by critics and audiences as one of the finest artists of our time. In this conversation with Lyric broadcast producer Mark Travis, she discusses the two very different roles she’s performing in her first Lyric season – Mme. Arvidson/A Masked Ball (debut) and Katisha/The Mikado.
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Backstage at Lyric #103
A Masked Ball: Mark Delevan
November 22, 2010
American baritone Mark Delavan has demonstrated remarkable versatility at Lyric, where he has scored major successes in operas by Gluck, Verdi, Wagner, Mascagni, Leoncavallo, and Bolcom. The Verdi repertoire has brought Delavan many triumphs at the Metropolitan Opera, as well as Munich, San Francisco, and Santa Fe. He’s making his role debut this season at Lyric in his 14th Verdi role, Anckarström/A Masked Ball, which he discusses here in a lively conversation with Lyric broadcast producer Mark Travis.
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Backstage at Lyric #102
A Masked Ball: Asher Fisch (conductor)
November 17, 2010
Currently principal guest conductor of Seattle Opera, Israeli conductor Asher Fisch Fisch appears frequently at the Vienna Staatsoper and is former music director of both the Vienna Volksoper and the Israeli Opera. He is returning to Lyric Opera to conduct his first performances of A Masked Ball. In a lively conversation with Lyric Opera dramaturg Roger Pines, he discusses this latest addition to his repertoire, while also recalling other career highlights.
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Backstage at Lyric #101
A Masked Ball: Sondra Radvanovsky
November 17, 2010
American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky is acknowledged by audiences and critics throughout North America and Europe as one of today’s few true Verdi sopranos. She is returning to Lyric this season to sing her first Amelia, one of the most eagerly awaited role debuts of her career. Here she discusses the formidable challenges of the role in relation to other heroines in her repertoire. Lyric Opera dramaturg Roger Pines poses the questions.
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Backstage at Lyric #100
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Erin Wall, Elizabeth Deshong, Shawn Mathey, and Lucas Meachem
November 12, 2010
The four exceptional young American artists who are portraying the lovers in A Midsummer Night's Dream are all enjoying highly successful careers throughout North America and with major European opera companies. Here they get together for a roundtable discussion about Britten's opera with WFMT's George Preston, host of the Lyric Opera broadcasts.
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Backstage at Lyric #99
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Anna Christy
November 11, 2010
American soprano Anna Christy, memorable at Lyric in both A Wedding (world premiere) and Dialogues of the Carmelites (company premiere), is portraying Tytania in Lyric’s first production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Lyric Opera dramaturg and broadcast commentator Roger Pines speaks with her about her role, this production, and other important career highlights.
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Backstage at Lyric #98
Discovery Series: A Masked Ball
November 10, 2010
A Swedish monarch flirts with his trusted friend’s wife and soon enough, they’re on the road to perdition. Join A Masked Ball’s director, opera legend Renata Scotto and celebrated tenor Frank Lopardo (King Gustavo) as they explore duty, honor, and middle-period Verdi.
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Backstage at Lyric #97
A Midsummer Night's Dream: David Daniels
November 4, 2010
American countertenor David Daniels, the most renowned countertenor of our time, counts Oberon (his fourth Lyric Opera role) among his most acclaimed portrayals. Here he speaks about the music and his characterization of this formidable figure. Asking the questions is WFMT’s George Preston, host of the Lyric Opera broadcasts.
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Backstage at Lyric #96
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Peter Rose
November 4, 2010
British bass Peter Rose is internationally acknowledged as today’s most celebrated exponent of the role of Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Here, in conversation with Lyric dramaturg and broadcast commentator Roger Pines, Rose discusses important details regarding this portrayal, which has brought him enormous acclaim in major houses internationally.
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Backstage at Lyric # 95
SHAKESPEARE GOES TO THE OPERA SYMPOSIUM
October 22, 2010
Shakespeare has inspired more than a few memorable operas, and this season Lyric is offering two of them — Verdi’s Macbeth (1847) and Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1960). This two-hour symposium features director Barbara Gaines (Macbeth) of Chicago Shakespeare Theater; singers David Daniels (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Thomas Hampson (Macbeth), and Nadja Michael (Macbeth); conductor Rory Macdonald (A Midsummer Night’s Dream); and University of Chicago Shakespeare scholar David Bevington. Moderated by classical music critic Wynne Delacoma and Chicago Public Radio’s Steve Edwards.
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Backstage at Lyric #94
CARMEN: YONGHOON LEE
October 13, 2010
The young Korean tenor Yonghoon Lee has enjoyed a spectacular rise to international prominence. This season alone includes his debuts at Lyric Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, and La Scala. In a conversation with Lyric dramaturg Roger Pines, he discusses Don José in Carmen, which introduces him to Lyric audiences this season after he triumphed in the role at Glyndebourne, Berlin, Hamburg, and Amsterdam.
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Backstage at Lyric #93
CARMEN: KATHARINE GOELDNER
October 13, 2010
American mezzo-soprano Katharine Goeldner has triumphed in many major houses internationally (the Met, Dallas, Madrid, Paris, Toulouse, Salzburg, and many more). Having debuted at Lyric two seasons ago in Madama Butterfly, she's returning in 2010-11 for two enormously contrasting roles -- the heroine of Carmen and Pitti-Sing in The Mikado. Here Goeldner discusses both roles in a lively conversation with Lyric dramaturg Roger Pines.
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Backstage at Lyric #92
CARMEN: ELAINE ALVAREZ
October 13, 2010
American soprano Elaine Alvarez has developed an impressive international career (Munich, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Genoa, Athens, and more) since she first appeared at Lyric three seasons ago. She's returning to Lyric this season as Micaëla in Carmen. Here, speaking with Lyric dramaturg Roger Pines, she discusses that role, while also explaining what brought her to singing and reminiscing about the circumstances of her eleventh-hour Lyric debut as Mimì in La bohème.
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Backstage at Lyric #91
Carmen: Discovery Series
October 11, 2010
Acclaimed American bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen, Escamillo in this season's Carmen, joins celebrated French conductor Alain Altinoglu for an illuminating discussion of Bizet's richly melodic and powerfully dramatic masterpiece.
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Backstage at Lyric #90
Macbeth: Nadja Michael
September 24, 2010
German dramatic soprano Nadja Michael, making her eagerly awaited debut as Lady Macbeth, is a star of La Scala, Covent Garden, the Vienna Staatsoper, Munich's Bayerische Staatsoper (where she recently premiered a new Macbeth). Here she speaks with Lyric dramaturg Roger Pines about all aspects of Lyric's production of Verdi's opera, and also discusses her own remarkable one-woman "theatrical recital," Orlando Misterioso.
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Backstage at Lyric #89
Macbeth: Harrison McEldowney
September 22, 2010
The brilliantly imaginative Chicago-based choreographer Harrison McEldowney, who is making his Lyric debut with Macbeth, speaks about his contribution to this new production and discusses other major highlights of his fascinatingly varied career. Lyric Opera dramaturg Roger Pines is host.
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Backstage at Lyric #88
Macbeth: Leonardo Capalbo
September 22, 2010
The young Italian-American tenor Leonardo Capalbo, whose portrayal of Macduff marks his Lyric debut, has won successes in major houses throughout Europe and America. Here he speaks with Lyric Opera dramaturg Roger Pines about his role in Macbeth, other experiences he's had singing Verdi, and the breadth of his repertoire.
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Backstage at Lyric #87
Macbeth: Thomas Hampson, Part 1
April 26, 2010
The magnificent American baritone Thomas Hampson, a great favorite of Chicago audiences, is returning to Lyric this season in one of his most celebrated characterizations, the title role of Macbeth. Here he discusses the role in depth with Mark Travis, producer of Lyric's broadcasts.
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Backstage at Lyric #86
Macbeth: Thomas Hampson, Part 2
April 26, 2010
Thomas Hampson continues his illuminating conversation with Mark Travis about the challenges he finds in the music and character of Macbeth.
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A STAR YOU SHOULD KNOW
NADJA MICHAEL
April 21, 2010
Introducing German soprano NADJA MICHAEL, a provocative and totally riveting singing actress who makes her eagerly awaited Lyric debut as the leading lady of Lyric's new Macbeth.
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A Star You Should Know
Johan Botha
September 17, 2010
South African dramatic tenor Johan Botha, a true master-singer and hugely acclaimed worldwide portraying the heroes of Wagner, returns to Lyric Opera in the title role of Lohengrin.
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A STAR YOU SHOULD KNOW
Marcello Giordani
May 26, 2010
Tenor Marcello Giordani, one of Italy's greatest stars and a huge favorite at the Metropolitan Opera, makes his long-awaited return to Lyric as Dick Johnson in The Girl of the Golden West.
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A STAR YOU SHOULD KNOW
STEPHANIE BLYTHE
July 19, 2010
American mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, acclaimed as one of the most thrilling singers of our time, sings Ulrica in A Masked Ball and then Katisha in The Mikado in her Lyric debut season.
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A Star You Should Know
Alice Coote
August 20, 2010
Handel's Hercules will mark the return to Lyric of the sensational English mezzo-soprano Alice Coote, who will star in the formidable role of Dejanira.
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