Week of November 23: Lyric Commentaries for opera streaming and more

Thanksgiving is nearly here, and a good reminder of the things for which we are thankful! This week in opera streaming, we'll save the histrionics for the stage with The Metropolitan Opera's "Family Drama" lineup. Then, we're in for a treat with Houston Grand Opera's The Impresario, a retelling of Mozart's brief opera written by famed playwright Jim Luig, the writer behind Das Barbecü, the hilarious musical based on Wagner's Ring cycle. Finally, we'll share the love with Donizetti's The Elixir of Love at San Francisco Opera. 

Lyric Opera Commentaries discuss the synopses, music, and some historical insights into the creation of the world's most beloved operas, and musical masterpieces you might never have experienced. 

Explore Lyric Commentaries to make the most out of your opera streaming experience. 

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

The Metropolitan Opera 
Verdi: Il trovatore

This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Marcelo Álvarez, Sondra Radvanovsky, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and Dolora Zajick, and was directed by Sir David McVicar. Il trovatore was conducted by Marco Armiliato on April 30, 2011. This opera stream will be available until November 24 at 6:30pm. 

Lyric Commentary from the 2018/19 Season is by Elinor Olin. 

The Metropolitan Opera
Nico Muhly: Marnie

This world-premiere production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Isabel Leonard, Iestyn Davies, and Christopher Maltman, and was directed by Des McAnuff. Marnie was conducted by Roberto Spano on November 10, 2018. This opera stream will be available until Wednesday, November 25 at 6:30pm. 

The Metropolitan Opera
Thomas: Hamlet

This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Simon Keenlyside, Marlis Petersen, James Morris, and Jennifer Larmore, and was directed by Brian Large. Hamlet was conducted by Louis Langrée on March 27, 2010. This opera stream will be available until Thursday, November 27 at 6:30pm. 

Classic Lyric Commentary from the 1989/90 season is by Alfred Glasser.

The Metropolitan Opera
Strauss: Elektra

This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Nina Stemme, Adrianne Pieczonka, Waltraud Meier, Eric Owens, and Burkhard Ulrich, and was directed by Patrice Chéreau. Elektra was conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen on April 30, 2016. This opera stream will be available until Friday, November 27 at 6:30pm.

Lyric Commentary from the 2018/19 Season is by Nicholas Ivor Martin. 

Houston Grand Opera
Mozart: The Impresario

This retelling of Mozart's brief opera from Houston Grand Opera is written by playwright Jim Luigs, and stars Nova Thomas, Raven McMillon, Nicole Heaston, Frederick Ballentine, and William Guanbo Su, and is directed by E. Loren Meeker. The Impresario is conducted by Eun Sun, and premieres on November 27, 2020 at 7:30pm. 

Apollo Chorus of Chicago
Glory: Music for Our World

This virtual concert is Apollo Chorus of Chicago's first full-length offering of their online season. Glory: Music of Our World is curated to celebrate frontline workers, to honor the memories of those lost to the pandemic, to delight in the solace found in nature and in moments of shared humanity, and to energize the creation of a better tomorrow. 

San Francisco Opera
Donizetti: L’elisir d’Amore (The Elixir of Love)

This production from San Francisco Opera stars Ramón Vargas, Inva Mula, Giorgio Caoduro, Alessandro Corbelli, and was directed by Harry Silverstein. L’elisir d’Amore was conducted by Bruno Campanella in 2008. This opera stream premieres on Saturday, November 28 at 12pm CST, and will be available through Sunday, November 29.

Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center presents Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter, 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 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. Performances are accompanied by Craig Terry, the Grammy Award-winning music director of the Ryan Opera Center; and Chris Reynolds, current Ensemble pianist. Members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra make an appearance in a special selection, performing from their homes.

Visit our production page for program notes, artist biographies, and video conversations with the artists discussing their musical selections and why this concert is taking place. This stream will be available through January 26, 2021. 

WATCH LAWRENCE BROWNLEE AND FRIENDS: THE NEXT CHAPTER

For the Love of Lyric 

For the Love of Lyric's starry lineup is led by world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming and features special guests, including Tony Award® and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter-actress Heather Headley, sopranos Ailyn Pérez and Julia Bullock, mezzo-soprano and Ryan Opera Center alumna J'Nai Bridges, and bass Soloman Howard, with Doug Peck serving as music director. Members of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Ensemble and members of the Chicago Children's Choir also perform in this enlightening and entertaining program of familiar and revelatory selections from the worlds of opera, Broadway, popular music, and some surprising sources.

Visit our production page to listen to a special commentary from dramaturg Roger Pines as he delves into what to expect from this unique virtual concert. This stream will be available through December 13, 2020. 

WATCH FOR THE LOVE OF LYRIC