Macbeth

September 17. 2021 - October 09. 2021

September 17. 2021 - October 09. 2021

New production Macbeth

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Lyric’s riveting season opener is the inaugural production of Music Director Enrique Mazzola's tenure, and a brand-new production from Sir David McVicar. Adapting one of the greatest tragedies written by his hero, Shakespeare, Verdi created a stunning portrait of the most power-hungry couple who ever trod a stage. Macbeth’s bloody ascent to the throne of Scotland — led and supported by his wife’s own consuming ambition — results in disaster for them both. Verdi brings them to blazing life in a score that bristles with energy and endless excitement. Grand-scale arias, hair-raising duets, stupendous ensembles — they’re all here, in the first genuine masterpiece of Verdi’s career.

  • Language: Sung in Italian with projected English texts
  • Running Time: 3 hours with 1 intermission
  • Location: Lyric Opera House

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Videos

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Joshua Guerrero performs "Ah! la paterna mano" from Verdi's MACBETH

In this heart-wrenching aria, Macduff (performed here by tenor Joshua Guerrero in his Lyric debut) is wracked with guilt, when he is unable to save his wife and children from Macbeth's reign of terror. Despite his drive for vengeance, Macduff asks that God forgive Macbeth should he escape.

Act Three Witches' Sabbath from Verdi's Macbeth

In this spooky scene from Act Three of Verdi's Macbeth, the witches (performed here by members of the Lyric Opera Chorus) dance around a bubbling cauldron as they prepare for their sabbath. Soon after, Macbeth arrives with more questions about his future, quickly learning that he should be careful what he wishes for, when a series of dark apparitions appear.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Verdi's Macbeth

Experience the drama and excitement of Verdi's Macbeth. Director Sir David McVicar breathes new life into the Shakespearean tragedy with a thrilling new production starring Craig Colclough, Sondra Radvanovsky, Joshua Guerrero, Christian Van Horn, and more, along with the full power of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus led by Music Director Enrique Mazzola.

Sondra Radvanovsky & Christian Van Horn on Sir David McVicar's Macbeth

In this excerpt from our new conversation series "Mixing It Up," soprano Sondra Radvanovsky (Lady Macbeth) and bass-baritone Christian Van Horn (Banco) discuss the intensity and excitement around Lyric's new production of Verdi's Macbeth, directed by Sir David McVicar.

Photos

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Macbeth

Christian Van Horn as Banquo in Macbeth (2021/22 Season).

Photo: Ken Howard

Macbeth

Craig Colclough as Macbeth (2021/22 Season).

Photo: Ken Howard

Macbeth

Sondra Radvanovsky as Lady Macbeth in Macbeth (2021/22 Season).

Photo: Ken Howard

Macbeth

A scene from Macbeth (2021|22 Season).

Photo: Ken Howard

Macbeth

Sondra Radvanovsky as Lady Macbeth and the company of Macbeth (2021/22).

Photo: Ken Howard

Macbeth

Craig Colclough as Macbeth and the company of Macbeth (2021/22).

Photo: Ken Howard

Macbeth

Christian Van Horn as Banquo and Craig Colclough as Macbeth in Macbeth (2021/22 Season). 

Photo: Ken Howard

Macbeth

Craig Colclough as Macbeth and Sondra Radvanovsky as Lady Macbeth in Macbeth (2021/22 Season).

Photo: Ken Howard

Macbeth

Joshua Guerrero as Macduff in Macbeth (2021/22 Season).

Photo: Ken Howard

Macbeth

A scene from Macbeth (2021/22 Season).

Photo: Ken Howard

Articles

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By Graham Meyer

A cloistered Macbeth

For an opera so steeped in foggy highlands that its source material is known to superstitious theater insiders as “the Scottish play,” Lyric Opera of Chicago tapped two proud Scotsmen, Sir David McVicar and John Macfarlane, to create a new production to spark the 2021/22 season — Lyric’s return to live mainstage performance after 18 months dark.
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Lyric Libations: MACBETH

Verdi called Shakespeare's Macbeth " one of mankind's greatest creations," and when the Italian composer added his musical genius to the story, it was the perfect recipe for a hit opera. If you're looking to get in the mood for this twisted Scottish tale, break out your bubbling cauldron and shake up a Shakespeare-inspired cocktail with these Macbeth Lyric Libations.
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Stepping back onto the Lyric podium

During a joyful afternoon at the Lyric Opera House in the fall of 2019, with red glasses on those present, Anthony Freud, Lyric's general director, president and CEO announced that Maestro Enrique Mazzola would be stepping into the role of music director starting with the 2021/22 Season. Now that he is preparing to take the podium for Verdi's Macbeth and Donizetti's The Elixir of Love in a new Lyric season — the first live performances in the Lyric Opera House in 19 months — we caught up with Maestro Mazzola to hear what he's been up to and how he's preparing.
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Moving moments of the 2021/22 Season

Missing opera season? We are too. With two Lyric premieres — Florencia en el Amazonas and Fire Shut Up in My Bones — as well as exciting new productions and role debuts, there were countless memorable moments both onstage and off. In order to tide us over until the fall, here are a few of our favorite highlights from the 2021/22 Season.
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Enrique Mazzola, an Italian opera specialist, was in splendid form at the helm, before an orchestra quite capable of sounding otherworldly or glorious, as needed.”

Chicago Sun-Times

A fine, spooky Macbeth… an invigorating piece.”

Chicago Tribune

This "taut, riveting production takes the audience directly into the vortex of the Thane of Cawdor’s madness.”

The Times Weekly

★★★★ The vocal artistry is top-notch throughout.”

Chicago Sun-Times

One can almost hear the naysayers mouthing; ‘Well, I’ve seen it [Macbeth] before.’ No you haven’t. You haven’t seen THIS one.”

The Times Weekly

Meet the artists

* Lyric debut
** Ryan Opera Center alumnus

Macbeth

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

© 2021/22 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board.

Macbeth Commentary by Colin Ure

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Program book

Go inside this production of Macbeth with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

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Enrique Mazzola is generously sponsored by the following members of the Enrique Circle

Alice & John Butler

 

H. Gael Neeson

Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel

Robert & Penelope Steiner Family Foundation

The Enrique Circle is comprised of Lyric’s most dedicated supporters who are committed to championing Maestro Enrique Mazzola's exciting artistic vision and legacy.

Lyric’s new co-production of Verdi’s Macbeth is generously made possible by

Abbott

Julie & Roger Baskes

Marlys A. Beider

Patricia A. Kenney & Gregory J. O'Leary

Additional support is provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago's Production Circle.

A co-production of Lyric Opera of Chicago and Canadian Opera Company.