February 04. 2018 - February 28. 2018

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February 04. 2018 - February 28. 2018

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I puritani

Of all opera composers, none glorified the human voice more than Bellini. His final opera was I Puritani, in which a soprano, tenor, baritone, and bass can truly revel in some of the most thrilling vocal music ever written. Opera companies produce this work only when they can cast fabulous singers with masterful techniques and superb style. Bellini places them within a sweeping historical drama in 17th-century England, in which a passionate young couple find themselves caught up in a conflict between opposing political factions.

Language: Sung in Italian with projected English translations
Running Time: 3 hours, 35 minutes with 2 intermissions
Location: Lyric Opera House

I puritani videos

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See what critics are saying about I Puritani

Bellini's I Puritani at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Anthony Clark Evans on his time in the Ryan Opera Center and I Puritani

Baritone Anthony Clark Evans talks about his time in the Ryan Opera Center and how that prepared him to take on the role of Ricarrdo in Lyric Opera's production of Bellini's I Puritani.

Patter Up! 60 seconds with Clark Evans

Baritone Clark Evans, who is a Ryan Opera Center alum and stars as the Ricardo in I Puritani, talks deep dish vs thin crust, who his best opera-bud would be, and if he has any tattoos.

Lawrence Brownlee on the appeal of Arturo and I Puritani

Tenor Lawrence Brownlee talks about what makes Arturo such a noble character and what audiences will walk away with after coming to enjoy Lyric Opera's production of Bellini's I Puritani.

Lawrence Brownlee Invites you to Bellini's I Puritani

Tenor Lawrence Brownlee invites you to see him and a star-studded cast in Lyric Opera's production of Bellini's comedy, I Puritani.

Director Eric Einhorn talks about the look and feel of I Puritani

Hear from director Eric Einhorn on what Lyric Opera's production of Bellini's I Puritani will look and feel like.

Director Eric Einhorn summarizes the plot of I Puritani

Director Eric Einhorn summarizes the plot of Bellini's final operatic masterpiece, I Puritani.

I Puritani

by Vincenzo Bellini

EMI recording — Caballé, Kraus, Manuguerra, Ferrin, cond. Muti. Courtesy of Warner Classics.
Musical excerpts provided through a generous arrangement with Warner Classics, Official Education and Promotion Music Provider for Lyric Opera of Chicago.

“A te, o cara”

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“Vien, diletto”

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“Suoni la tromba”

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I puritani

by Vincenzo Bellini

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2017/18 Lyric Opera Commentaries Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Music Group. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women’s Board

Commentary by Roger Pines

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I puritani articles

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Lawrence Brownlee Flies High

This season, Lawrence Brownlee returns to the Lyric stage in another bel canto role he has truly made his own, Arturo in Bellini's I Puritani.

I Puritani: Vocal Fireworks and Passions That Run High

The Olympics are coming! You may be excited about the athletics that will be taking place in Seoul, but equally as thrilling is the feat of acrobatic vocals that will be coming to Lyric's stage when I Puritani opens.

Aaaaand...the Gold Medal Goes to...TEAM PURITANI!!!

Brilliant bel canto singing and Olympic sports have more in common than you might think. We asked members of Lyric's I Puritani team two questions to illustrate that point. Here's what they had to say.

Synopsis

During the English Civil War, the emotionally fragile, Puritan woman Elvira and the heroic Royalist Arturo have fallen in love and are to be married. However, another Puritan, Riccardo, is in love with Elvira and has been promised her hand in marriage. The star-crossed lovers’ story unravels in a tangle of political intrigue, deception, misunderstanding, and madness, but the power of true love may be able to conquer all.

TIME: About 1650
PLACE: England

Scene 1. The terrace of a fortress near Plymouth.

As dawn breaks, Bruno Robertson leads the Puritan soldiers in prayer before they set about their duties. Villagers enter in a festive mood and announce that it is Elvira’s wedding day. Sir Riccardo Forth appears, brooding and in despair. Lord Gualtiero Walton has yielded to his daughter Elvira’s wish to marry Lord Arturo Talbot, a royalist opposed to Cromwell and the Puritan cause. Lord Walton has thus broken his promise to Riccardo that Elvira should be his bride. Bruno’s attempts to comfort the rejected suitor are to no avail. Riccardo laments his lost happiness.

Scene 2. Giorgio’s apartment within the fortress.

Unaware of her father’s change of heart, Elvira has resolved not to go through with the loveless marriage to Riccardo. She learns from her uncle, Sir Giorgio Walton, that the wedding preparations are for her and her beloved Arturo, through her uncle’s intercession. Elvira is overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.

Scene 3. The courtyard of the fortress.

The residents of the fortress assemble to greet the bridegroom. Among them is the condemned royal prisoner, Queen Enrichetta. Arturo recognizes her and promises to rescue her. Elvira is filled with a happiness she longs to share with the prisoner; before leaving to prepare for the ceremony, she gives Enrichetta a veil, a present form Arturo. Alone, Arturo recognizes the prisoner as the Queen and promises to rescue her. Arturo convinces her that in his company and disguised as his bride, she will be able to evade the sentries.

Their escape is barred by the arrival of Riccardo, who challenges Arturo to a duel for stealing Elvira’s affections from him. Enrichetta places herself between them and, in the confusion, her identity is revealed. Riccardo offers no further hindrance to their departure, knowing that Arturo’s treason will prevent his ever marrying Elvira. She and the other Puritans return to the courtyard; in the distance, they can see the fugitives riding away, leaving Elvira distraught.
The great hall of the fortress.

Giorgio describes to the Puritans the madness that has overcome Elvira, who believes that Arturo has abandoned her for another woman. Riccardo appears with a proclamation naming him leader of Cromwell’s forces and ordering him to capture and execute Arturo. A disheveled Elvira appears. Her confused mind darts from the reality of Arturo’s departure to the delusion that he has never left. Giorgio begs Riccardo to save his rival’s life for Elvira’s sake. Riccardo agrees to spare him if he returns alone and defenseless, but if he returns armed and with military escort, the rebel will be crushed. Giorgio declares that he will join Riccardo in battle if England is attacked.
Elvira’s garden.

Pursued by Cromwell’s troops, Arturo approaches the fortress hoping desperately to see Elvira once more. The lovers are soon joyfully reunited. Arturo refuses to leave Elvira, despite his personal danger. The troops come upon them and seize Arturo. A sentence of death is about to be carried out, which shocks Elvira and restores her reason. Suddenly a messenger arrives with the news of Cromwell’s victory and the pardon of all prisoners, leaving the way clear for Arturo and Elvira to marry.

Program book

Go inside this production of I puritani with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

View Digital Program Book

Meet the artists

Albina Shagimuratova

Elvira

Russian soprano Albina Shagimuratova's Lyric credits include Violetta Valéry/ La Traviata (2018|19); Elvira/I puritani (2017|18).

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Lawrence Brownlee

Arturo

Winner of 2017’s “Male Singer of the Year” award from both the International Opera Awards and Bachtrack, the celebrated American tenor has triumphed in many roles at Lyric.

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Anthony Clark Evans

Riccardo

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

Anthony Clark Evans has sung twelve roles at Lyric Opera since his 2013|14 season debut

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Adrian Sâmpetrean

Giorgio

Bass Adrian Sampetrean's Lyric credits include Colline/La boheme (2018|19) and Sir Giorgio Walton/I puritani (2017|18)

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Enrique Mazzola

Conductor

As of July 1, 2021, Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola is music director of Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is only the third person to serve in this capacity at Lyric, following the tenures of Sir Andrew Davis and the late Bruno Bartoletti.

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Eric Einhorn

Director

The American director is cofounder of On Site Opera, a company dedicated to immersive, site-specific productions, including Einhorn’s own productions of John Musto’s Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt (world premiere) at the American Museum of Natural History

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Ming Cho Lee

Set Designer

Set designer Ming Cho Lee's Lyric credits include nine productions since 1969

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Peter J. Hall

Costume Designer

The distinguished British designer (1926-2010), whose Puritani costumes were seen at Lyric in the company’s previous revival of Bellini’s opera (1991/92 season), created costumes for some of the stage’s most celebrated luminaries.

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Chris Maravich

Lighting Designer

Chris Maravich, Lighting Director, has been with Lyric Opera since 2014

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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* Lyric Opera debut
** Ryan Opera Center alumnus

Photos: Todd Rosenberg

I puritani

I puritani videos

See what critics are saying about I Puritani

Bellini's I Puritani at Lyric Opera of Chicago