March 16, 2020
Week three: Lyric's Commentaries for Met Opera Nightly Streams
Welcome to a new week of Lyric Commentaries to accompany the Met Nightly Streaming calendar for the week of March 30th. You’ll see and hear Joyce DiDonato, Ferruccio Furlanetto (who was last at Lyric in the title role of Don Quichotte), Isabel Leonard, Anna Netrebko, Joseph Calleja, and more! You one again hear the splendid Sandra Radvanovsky in Norma, and you can relive “Au fond du temple saint” from Les Pêcheurs de Perles sung by Matthew Polenzani and Mariusz Kwiecien.
One way to prepare for these broadcasts is by listening to Lyric Opera Commentaries. They’re informative and fun. Learn about the synopsis, music, and some historical insight into how each piece was created. Bring the fun of a Pre-Opera Talk to your home!
Enjoy the commentaries, and enjoy the operas! View more Lyric commentaries that enhance the Met's Nightly Streams.
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Monday, March 30 – Poulenc: Dialogues des Carmélites
This production stars Isabel Leonard, Adrianne Pieczonka, and Karita Mattila. It is conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin and was recorded on May 11, 2019.
The Lyric Commentary is from the 2006|07 season and is read and written by Roger Pines.
Dialogues des Carmélites
By Francis Poulenc
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2006/07 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women’s Board.
Commentary by Roger Pines, Dramaturg
Tuesday, March 31 – Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia
This comic masterpiece is conducted by Maurizio Benini and stars Joyce DiDonato, Juan Diego Flórez, and Peter Mattei in a March 24, 2007 performance.
The commentary is from the 2019|20 season and is read by Nicholas Ivor Martin.
The Barber of Seville
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2019/20 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board.
Commentary by Nicholas Ivor Martin
Wednesday, April 1 – John Adams: Nixon in China
This contemporary classic stars Janis Kelly and James Maddalena. This February, 12, 2011 performance is conducted by composer John Adams.
Lyric has most recently presented Doctor Atomic by John Adams in the 2006|07 season. We suggest listening to that commentary for insights into the composer’s process and style. The Lyric Commentary is written and read by Jesse Gram.
Doctor Atomic
By John Adams
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Commentary by Jesse Gram
Thursday, April 2 – Verdi: Don Carlo
This opera stars Marina Poplavskaya, Roberto Alagna, Simon Keenlyside, and Ferruccio Furlanetto. This December 11, 2010 performance is conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
This classic Lyric Commentary is from the 1989|90 season is read and written by Alfred Glasser.
Don Carlo
by Giuseppe Verdi
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Commentary by Alfred Glasser
Friday, April 3 – Bizet: Les Pêcheurs de Perles
This January 16, 2016 performance stars Diana Damrau, Matthew Polenzani, and Mariusz Kwiecien, and is conducted by Gianandrea Noseda.
The commentary is from the 2017|18 season and is read by Sir Andrew Davis in collaboration with Jack Zimmerman.
The Pearl Fishers
by Georges Bizet
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2017/18 Lyric Opera Commentaries Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Music Group. 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
Saturday, April 4 – Verdi: Macbeth
The Verdi masterpiece stars Anna Netrebko, Joseph Calleja, Željko Lučić, and René Pape, and conducted by Fabio Luisi in a performance from October 11, 2014.
The Lyric Commentary is from the 2010|11 season and written and read by Nicholas Ivor Martin. This Commentary features special guests Barbara Gaines, artistic director at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and Bill Mason, former general director of Lyric.
Macbeth
By Giuseppe Verdi
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Commentary by Nicholas Ivor Martin, featuring Barbara Gaines and Bill Mason
Sunday, April 5 – Bellini: Norma
Sondra Radvanovsky stars in this bel canto tour de force alongside Joyce DiDonato, Joseph Calleja, and Matthew Rose. Carlo Rizzi conducts a October 17, 2017 performance.
The Lyric Commentary is from the 2016|17 season and is written and read 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.
