November 14, 2022

Lyric Libations: Le Comte Ory

Highjinks and high notes abound in Rossini's final comedy, Le Comte Ory. While Countess Adèle's brother is away, fighting in the Crusades, the amorous Count Ory, his lovesick page Isolier, and their partners in crime are ready to do whatever it takes to turn her head — however nunsensical. Get in the mood for this frothy and fun opera with these tasty cocktails, and see it onstage through November 26.

Nuns on the run

While the matron is away, these "nuns" are more likely to play than pray. This bourbon-forward cocktail is the perfect thing to warm you up on a stormy night, especially when it's topped off with a fine red wine from the castle's cellar!

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • ½ oz maple syrup
  • 1 oz dry red wine
  • Garnish: lemon twist

Instructions:

Add the bourbon, lemon juice, and maple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until very cold and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Carefully pour the red wine over the back of a spoon just above the surface of the drink, creating a layer on top. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Recipe courtesy of A Couple Cooks

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Spill the tea daiq-Ory

Looking for love advice? The hermit is in! Tell him your woes, and let the (questionable) wisdom flow. Much like this amorous Count, this cocktail is sweet and flowery on the surface, with a zingy twist.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ oz white rum
  • 1 oz hibiscus tea (steeped and cooled)
  • ½ oz fresh lime juice
  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • Garnish: lime wheel

Instructions:

Steep hibiscus tea according to package instructions and cool. Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

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Bed decisions

Whether you think three is company or a crowd, this cocktail is easy as 1-2-3. To make a full batch, simply triple the ingredients and pour into your favorite pitcher to combine. You'll be giggling up a storm in no time.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz rum
  • 1 oz tequila
  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz blue curacao
  • Top with Sprite
  • Garnish: orange slice, cherry

Instructions:

In a collins glass, add spirits over ice and top with Sprite. Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry.

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On the same page

When it comes to Ory's antics, both his long-suffering tutor, and page-turned-romantic rival, Isolier are on the same page about one thing: keeping the randy Count away from Adèle. This bittersweet cocktail is the perfect thing to take the edge off after a long day of chasing your boss — only to find out he stole your idea (and very nearly, the love of your life).

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz gin
  • 1 oz campari
  • 1½ oz grapefruit juice
  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • Garnish: grapefruit peel

Instructions:

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a grapefruit peel.

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The master of operatic comedy who created The Barber of Seville strikes again with this side-splitting comedy replete with onstage antics that match its high-energy music. High jinks ensue when Countess Adèle sequesters herself in her castle while her valiant brother is away on a crusade. In his absence, the amorous Count Ory stops at nothing (including disguising himself as a nun!) to gain entry to the castle and woo the virtuous Countess. Le Comte Ory is one of opera’s most frothy delights, with music that bubbles over like the most effervescent champagne. In this pricelessly witty production, bel canto tenor par excellence Lawrence Brownlee stars in the virtuosic title role — one of his specialties internationally — opposite the Countess of Kathryn Lewek, one of her generation’s most scintillating coloratura sopranos. You’ll smile from the overture to the happy ending.

November 13 - November 26, 2022

Le Comte Ory

Le Comte Ory

The master of operatic comedy who created The Barber of Seville strikes again with this side-splitting comedy replete with onstage antics that match its high-energy music. High jinks ensue when Countess Adèle sequesters herself in her castle while her valiant brother is away on a crusade. In his absence, the amorous Count Ory stops at nothing (including disguising himself as a nun!) to gain entry to the castle and woo the virtuous Countess. Le Comte Ory is one of opera’s most frothy delights, with music that bubbles over like the most effervescent champagne. In this pricelessly witty production, bel canto tenor par excellence Lawrence Brownlee stars in the virtuosic title role — one of his specialties internationally — opposite the Countess of Kathryn Lewek, one of her generation’s most scintillating coloratura sopranos. You’ll smile from the overture to the happy ending.

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The master of operatic comedy who created The Barber of Seville strikes again with this side-splitting comedy replete with onstage antics that match its high-energy music. High jinks ensue when Countess Adèle sequesters herself in her castle while her valiant brother is away on a crusade. In his absence, the amorous Count Ory stops at nothing (including disguising himself as a nun!) to gain entry to the castle and woo the virtuous Countess. Le Comte Ory is one of opera’s most frothy delights, with music that bubbles over like the most effervescent champagne. In this pricelessly witty production, bel canto tenor par excellence Lawrence Brownlee stars in the virtuosic title role — one of his specialties internationally — opposite the Countess of Kathryn Lewek, one of her generation’s most scintillating coloratura sopranos. You’ll smile from the overture to the happy ending.

Header photo: Joshua Hopkins (center) as Raimbaud in Lyric's 2022/23 production of Rossini's Le Comte Ory. Credit: Todd Rosenberg