Lyric Opera of Chicago's Verdi Voices concert now available for free digital streaming

CHICAGO (6/29/22) — Lyric Opera of Chicago’s recent Verdi Voices concert starring three of the world’s most accomplished Verdians — soprano Tamara Wilson, tenor Russell Thomas, and conductor and Lyric Opera of Chicago Music Director Enrique Mazzola — is now available digitally and can be streamed for free here starting today.

This concert features a comprehensive survey of Verdi’s musical genius, from his shimmering overture to La forza del destino, to favorite arias from Don Carlos and Simon Boccanegra, to mesmerizing duets from Aida and Otello, and more. These Verdi specialtists will join forces again to open Lyric's 2022/23 season with the composer's Ernani in September. The Verdi concert film offers a preview of Ernani with the arias "Mercè, diletti amici" and "Ernani, involami."

Chicago-area native Tamara Wilson, winner of the 2016 Richard Tucker Award, made her Lyric debut as Leonora in Verdi’s Il trovatore during the 2018/19 Season. She recently graced Lyric’s stage to perform the towering role of Odabella in Verdi’s "Attila: Highlights in Concert." She returns to the Lyric stage to open the season as Elvira in Ernani.

Russell Thomas made his Lyric debut as Pollione in Bellini’s Norma in the 2016/17 Season and has quickly become an audience favorite, returning for Manrico in Verdi’s Il trovatore in the 2018/2019 Season with Wilson. Thomas was Canio in Lyric's recently released filmed version of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. He starred in Lyric’s 2021/22 season as Cavaradossi in Puccini’s Tosca and will once again join Tamara Wilson in Lyric’s season-opening Ernani in the title role.

Enrique Mazzola began his tenure as Lyric’s third Music Director by conducting the 2021/22 Season-opening performances of Verdi’s Macbeth and Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love to great critical and audience acclaim. During Lyric’s 2019/20 Season, as music director designate, he led Verdi’s Luisa Miller to launch the company’s Early Verdi Series. His work at Lyric during the 2020/21 Virtual Season included several explorations of Verdi’s work, from "Attila: Breaking Down the Score" to "Attila: Highlights in Concert," to "The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown," all still available for streaming.

Verdi Voices is generously presented by

Lyric’s Guild Board of Directors

Enrique Mazzola is generously sponsored by the following members of the Enrique Circle

Alice & John Butler

H. Gael Neeson

Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel

Robert & Penelope Steiner Family Foundation

The Enrique Circle is comprised of Lyric’s most dedicated supporters who are committed to championing Maestro Enrique Mazzola's exciting artistic vision and legacy.

Lyric Opera's Season is presented by

Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline, American Airlines, and acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency

About Lyric

About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is where the world sings — and where Chicago comes alive.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric stands at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic purpose, harnessing the full power of opera — voice, orchestra, stagecraft, and story — to illuminate the questions, emotions, and experiences that define us as human beings. Nearly 75 seasons of world-class performances have made Lyric one of the greatest opera companies in the world. What drives us now is what has always driven us: the belief that this art form, at its best, can move people in ways nothing else can.

Lyric is also Chicago’s partner — in its neighborhoods, its schools, and its communities — through education, engagement, and a relentless commitment to making opera accessible, relevant, and irresistible to everyone. At the heart of that commitment is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, which trains the artists who will carry this art form into its future. Every night when the curtain rises, Lyric reminds this city — and the world — why live performance still matters.

Lyric Opera of Chicago doesn’t just present opera, it redefines what opera can be. It’s where Chicago comes to be moved, inspired, and connected.

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