March 15, 2021
Week of March 29: Lyric Commentaries for opera streaming and more
We hope you enjoy a new week of curated streaming opportunities that you can explore in the comfort of your own home! Turn on your biggest screen and check out our streaming suggestions below, along with commentaries that accompany Lyric titles.
As you delve into this week's set of streaming opportunities, you can peruse 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 29
The Metropolitan Opera
Bellini: Norma
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Sondra Radvanovsky, Joyce DiDonato, Joseph Calleja, and Matthew Rose, and was directed by Sir David McVicar. Norma was conducted by Carlo Rizzi on October 7, 2017. This opera stream is available until 6:30pm on Tuesday, March 30.
Lyric Commentary from the 2016/17 Season is by Roger Pines.
Norma
by Vincenzo Bellini
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 Roger Pines, Dramaturg
Tuesday, March 30
The Metropolitan Opera
Strauss: Capriccio
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Renée Fleming, Sarah Connolly, Joseph Kaiser, Russell Braun, Morten Frank Larsen, and Peter Rose, and was directed by John Cox. Capriccio was conducted by Sir Andrew Davis on April 23, 2011. This opera stream is available until 6:30pm on Wednesday, March 31.
Lyric Commentary from the 2014/15 Season is by Sir Andrew Davis and Nicholas Ivor Martin.
Capriccio
By Richard Strauss
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2014/15 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 and Nicholas Ivor Martin
Wednesday, March 31
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Towards Freedom
This streamed concert from London Philharmonic Orchestra features Missy Mazzoli's These Worlds In Us, and is conducted by Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola. Towards Freedom premieres at 9am CT.
The Metropolitan Opera
Donizetti: Roberto Devereux
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Sondra Radvanovsky, Elīna Garanča, Matthew Polenzani, and Mariusz Kwiecień, and was directed by Sir David McVicar. Roberto Devereux was conducted by Maurizio Benini on April 16, 2016. This opera stream is available until 6:30pm on Thursday, April 1.
Thursday, April 1
Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre
Strauss: Salome
This production from Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre stars Amy Johnson, Katharine Goeldner, Jeffrey Dowd, and Mark Schnaible, and was directed by Gregory Keller. Salome was conducted by Daniel Kleinknecht in 2010. This opera stream is available indefinitely.
Lyric Commentary from the 2006/07 Season is by Sir Andrew Davis and Nicholas Ivor Martin.
Salome
By Richard Strauss
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2006/07 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 and Nicholas Ivor Martin
Friday, April 2
The Metropolitan Opera
Massenet: Werther
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Jonas Kaufmann, Sophie Koch, Lisette Oropesa, and David Bizic, and was directed by Sir Richard Eyre. Werther was conducted by Alain Altinoglu on March 15, 2013. This stream available until 6:30pm on Saturday, April 3.
Lyric Commentary from the 2012/13 Season is by Sir Andrew Davis and Nicholas Ivor Martin.
Werther
By Jules Massenet
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2012/13 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 and Nicholas Ivor Martin
Saturday, April 3
LA Opera
Ayanna Witter-Johnson: Brown Sounds
In this uplifting new digital short from LA Opera, Brown Sounds gets a sumptuous visual treatment from a dynamic assembly of artists—filmmaker Jérémy Adonis, fashion designer Allan Virgo and dancer Lateef Williams—all united in a joyous celebration of Black art, Black bodies, and Black consciousness.
Sole e Amore (Sun and Love)
Sole e Amore (Sun and Love)
Revel in the sounds of Italy with a virtual recital awash with beautiful lesser-known musical gems by beloved Italian opera composers, curated and hosted by Lyric’s Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola and presented by The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center. With Maestro Mazzola and Ensemble member Chris Reynolds alternating at the piano, members of the Ryan Opera Center 2020/21 Ensemble perform songs by Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, Puccini, and Mascagni, selected with love by Mazzola.
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.