March 06, 2019

Things You Can’t Miss Next Season

The 2018/19 Season at Lyric is packed with thrills and enchantment. Here’s just a sampling of what awaits you:

Cinderella with a French twist: Lyric’s premiere of Massenet’s charming Cendrillon reveals a different take on the beloved fairytale, in a playful production that has captivated audiences internationally.

A fresh look for a beloved classic: Puccini’s La bohème gets a bright and lovely new production that captures the impetuous spirit of love among young Parisians. 

Check out the stage-sized dragon in the brand-new production of Wagner’s Siegfried, the third installment in Lyric’s Ring tetralogy. Also, dragon’s blood makes you understand birdsong and the unspoken thoughts of others.

Onstage anvil-hammering in opera’s most rousing chorus — go on, we dare you not to grin when the bare-chested actors in Verdi’s Il trovatore start swinging their mighty hammers.

Three internationally acclaimed alumni of the Ryan Opera Center in Mozart’s Idomeneo. Matthew Polenzani, Erin Wall, and David Portillo — onstage together? Yes please! Vocal glory and histrionic fireworks guaranteed.

Hear lyrics never previously uttered onstage at Lyric: “The Jets are in gear, our cylinders are clickin'!” “Breeze it, buzz it, easy does it, turn off the juice, boy,” “But if they start a rumble, we’ll rumble ‘em right.” West Side Story will be an unforgettable Broadway at Lyric premiere.

Family “issues,” gloriously sung: A daughter’s matricidal rage comes to life in Sir David McVicar's grand-scale Elektra, which will feature the Lyric debut of acclaimed soprano Nina Stemme in the title role.

The ever-versatile Lyric Opera Orchestra
 masterfully switches styles from show to show, supersized to a majestic 100+ for the through-composed Siegfried, pared down for the crisp Baroque sounds of Handel’s Ariodante, and everything in between. 

Lyric Premieres: An American Dream tells the story of the unexpected challenges and revelations of two families during World War II — a truly memorable new American Opera, and one of four brand-new-to-Lyric titles in the new season.

Parisians, Cretans, Gypsies, soldiers, ball guests, and countless others — members of the chameleonic Lyric Opera Chorus countless characters in a wide range of glorious musical styles throughout the season, enriching each story.

Which amazing guest artists will join “The People’s Diva,” soprano Renée Fleming to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her Lyric debut? Don't miss highlights from the ten operas in which she’s starred here will be featured. 

Forget Hairspray — we’ve got really big hair. And giant puppets, too. The extravagantly tall wigs and costumes of Lyric’s La traviata return to the stage in a dazzling production.

The consummately alluring superstar soprano Anna Netrebko will get intimate with Lyric’s audience on a Sunday afternoon — and promises to be simply irresistible.

Photos: Bill Cooper/Royal Opera House, Preliminary model rendering of Siegfried, Robert Kusel, Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera, Timothy White/Decca, Todd Rosenberg