March 16, 2020
Week of March 1: Lyric Commentaries for opera streaming and more
Welcome to the first week of March! Enjoy a pre-spring thaw this week with our streaming opportunities contemporary and classical.
We’ll begin with new works by Nico Muhly and Greg Pierce at Catapult Opera, and by Tyshawn Sorey at LA Opera. Then, we’ll continue our week with a digital concert from our friends at the National Museum of Mexican Art from their ongoing Mini Conciertos series.
On Thursday, we’ll enjoy an additional new work by Courtney Bryan from Opera Philadelphia, and then enjoy The Metropolitan Opera's stream of Peter Grimes. On Saturday and Sunday, we'll join San Francisco Opera for their streaming series with the first installment of the Ring cycle.
Did you have a chance to catch our premiere of Sole e Amore? This charming virtual concert, curated by Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola, is now available for on-demand streaming. It’s sure to boost your late-winter mood!
As you enjoy this week's set of streaming opportunities, you can explore Lyric Opera Commentaries, which discuss the synopses, music, and some historical insights of the world's most beloved operas, and musical masterpieces you might never have experienced.
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Monday, March 1
Catapult Opera
Muhly: The Glitch
This short and intense new work from Catapult Opera by composer Nico Muhly and librettist Greg Pierce (Fellow Travelers) stars mezzo-soprano Krysty Swann and baritone Lester Lynch. The Glitch was conducted by Neal Goren and directed by Marcus Shields.
Wednesday, March 3
National Museum of Mexican Art
Mini Conciertos: Jesus Ramos
This virtual concert from the National Museum of Mexican Art features Chicago native Jesus Ramos singing a selection of rancheros and mariachi classics.
Thursday, March 4
Opera Philadelphia
Bryan: Blessed
This digital production from Opera Philadelphia was written by Courtney Bryan in collaboration with filmmaker Tiona Nekkia McClodden. Blessed features soprano Janinah Burnett and vocalist Damian Norfleet. Created as a response to the milestone events of 2020—the uprising in response to police brutality against Black men and women, and the aftermath of the November election—Blessed reflects upon the Christian Bible’s avowal that the meek will one day “inherit the earth.” This digital stream is available through May.
Friday, March 5
The Metropolitan Opera
Britten: Peter Grimes
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Anthony Dean Griffey, Patricia Racette, and Anthony Michaels-Moore, and was directed by John Doyle. Peter Grimes was conducted by Donald Runnicles on March 15, 2008. This opera stream is available until 6:30pm on Saturday, March 6.
Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7
San Francisco Opera
Wagner: Das Rheingold
This performance from San Francisco Opera stars Greer Grimsley, Štefan Margita, Falk Struckmann, and Jamie Barton, and was directed by Francesca Zambello. Das Rheingold was conducted by Donald Runnicles in 2018. This opera stream premieres on Saturday, March 6 at 12pm CT, and will be available through Sunday, March 7.
Lyric Commentary from the 2016/17 Season is by Sir Andrew Davis and Jack Zimmerman
Das Rheingold
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2016/17 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Musical excerpts provided through generous arrangement with Warner Classics, Official Education and Promotion Music Provider for Lyric Opera of Chicago. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women's Board.
Commentary by Sir Andrew Davis in collaboration with Jack Zimmerman
Commentary by Colin Ure
Creating The Factotum
Creating The Factotum
Follow the development of a new opera by Ryan Opera Center alumnus Will Liverman and DJ/recording artist K-Rico that transcends the limits of traditional repertoire. The Factotum, inspired by Rossini's The Barber of Seville, takes place in a present-day Black barbershop in Chicago and combines operatic singing with hip-hop, barbershop, gospel, funk, neo soul, and R&B music.
Chicago filmmaker Raphael Nash has captured the behind-the-scenes process of creating this new work and brings us backstage to meet the artists, hear from the creators, and feel the energy of a new opera being born.
Pasión Latina
Pasión Latina
Celebrate music of the Spanish-speaking world with a free virtual concert starring and hosted by renowned soprano and Lyric favorite Ana María Martínez, and featuring Ryan Opera Center artists and alumni.
These engaging artists perform a dynamic selection of some of their favorite music from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Argentina, and Spain, with piano accompaniment by Ryan Opera Center Music Director Craig Terry and current Ensemble pianist Chris Reynolds.
Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter
Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter
Lyric's Ryan Opera Center presents a free virtual concert celebrating the depth and breadth of Black artistry, hosted by world-renowned tenor Lawrence Brownlee, who also serves as artistic advisor for the event. The concert also features prominent Ryan Opera Center alumni—soprano Whitney Morrison, mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges, and baritone Will Liverman—and three current 2020/21 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members—tenors Martin Luther Clark and Lunga Eric Hallam, and baritone Leroy Davis.