February 23, 2021

Rossini Sonata Sessions: A photo preview

Lyric's Sonata Sessions are just around the corner! Join Lyric Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola as he leads an enhanced string ensemble comprising of members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra in performances of all six of Rossini's beautiful sonatas! These gorgeous masterpieces, written when Rossini was only 12-years-old, have been recognized as "extraordinarily assured craftsmanship" and have been praised for showing "individuality and more than a little of the humorous and witty personality into which [Rossini] was to develop" (Gramophone). Before the digital series is released in the coming weeks, take a look at some behind-the-scenes photos of the filming of these sonatas, following strict safety protocols on the stage of the Lyric Opera House.

Lyric's Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola leads members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra through a sonata in the beautiful Lyric Opera House.

Mask up! The safety of our artists is the top priority for all Lyric projects.

The Sonata Sessions highlight some of our brilliant orchestra members performing in the Lyric Opera House *(bassist Ian Hallas featured here)*. The filming also provided a sneak peek at the new seats following Lyric's recent accessibility renovation. Both the people and the house can't wait for audiences to be back!

The sonatas were filmed from different angles on the stage and in the house to create a variety of viewpoints for the video series.

Members of our Lyric Opera Orchestra, socially distanced on the Lyric Opera House stage. *(Pictured here from front to back: violinists Bing Jing Yu, Alexander (Sasha) Belavsky, and Heather Wittels.)*

Maestro Mazzola has worked with Lyric on a variety of virtual programs this season, including the *Breaking Down the Score* video series on Verdi's *Attila*, *Sole e Amore*, and the upccoming *The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown* and *Attila* *Highlights in Concert.*

A behind-the-scenes look at how *The Sonata Sessions* are filmed, with the help of our Lyric crew, safety and artistic teams, and a production crew handling the cameras.

Learn more about The Sonata Sessions and how you can watch them at lyricopera.org/sonatasessions.

Photos: Kyle Flubacker