The curtain has just gone up on The Barber of Seville to open our 65th season and we couldn't be more excited to welcome you back to the opera house! In this issue, you'll get a glimpse at the critical acclaim the Lyric production is receiving, as well as a brief video recap of the red carpet excitement outside the Lyric Opera House on opening night.
Up next this season is the early Verdi masterpiece Luisa Miller conducted by our newly named music director designate, Enrique Mazzola. See him in action from October 12-31 and you'll instantly understand why he's such a sought-after conductor, world-wide. Continue with this issue to hear more from him directly on the piece and gain insights on the production from its director, Francesa Zambello. And be sure not to miss your exclusive first look at Sister Helen Prejean's Dead Man Walking (November 2-22) program note.
Toi toi toi to everyone onstage, behind the scenes, and in the theater – here's to a captivating new season of opera!
The red carpet was unfurled, photographers lined the colonnade, and palpable excitement was in the air as Lyric opened the 65th Season with an original production of The Barber of Seville that thrilled critic and audience members alike.
The Barber of Seville is only here for six more performances through October 27 – here’s just a sample of the rave reviews!
It’s always exciting when a wonderful work returns to Lyric after a long absence, creating magic onstage for a whole new generation of operagoers. Not since 1982 has Lyric produced Giuseppe Verdi’s glorious Luisa Miller, but now it’s back at last, in a production by one of the world’s most highly respected directors, Francesca Zambello.
Experiencing the Ring is a unique adventure, an opportunity to immerse yourself in a world of gods and giants for an unforgettable journey of four operas in a week. To help operagoers make the most of this bucket-list event, Lyric has put together an exciting slate of ancillary programming that supports learning more and often adds to the pure entertainment value of the Ring.
It’s been nearly two decades since the powerful story of the Louisiana nun who became spiritual adviser to a condemned man first premiered on the opera stage. First a New York Times best-selling book, then an Academy Award-winning film, Dead Man Walking is now the most often-produced opera of our generation. The ongoing emotional resonance of this gripping story is undeniable.
It’s thrilling to find new emerging talent, and all of us in the Lyric had the opportunity to share this experience at the Ryan Opera Center’s Final Auditions. Held on Sunday, September 15, at the Lyric Opera House, the Finals featured more than 20 singers auditioning for a spot in the program’s 2020/21 Ensemble.
If you had encountered opera at an early age, even as young as 7 years old, what difference would that exposure have made in your life? Lyric has been providing innovative educational and artistic programming for youth across the Chicago area for many years, reaching an average of 33,000 students each season. With the start of our new season comes a new wave of young operagoers that we’re eager to introduce to the art form.
The latest news, upcoming dates to add to your calendar, and special offers for Lyric patrons.
Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg, Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera, Cory Weaver/Lyric Opera of Chicago, Jaclyn Simpson