Do not, I implore you, take younger children to see Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Humperdinck’s “Hansel und Gretel.” Perhaps middle schoolers upwards, but not the little ones. It is a frightening, occasionally grotesque staging of this fairy tale, which, full disclosure, I could never read to my own children because in the original […]
The deep, sad chords of the overture to Massenet’s “Werther” at Lyric Opera of Chicago were all we needed to hear. This opera, based on “The Sorrows of Young Werther” by Goethe, was going to be a tragedy. Lyric’s new production, however, is nothing of the sort. Yes, lives are lost and ruined in this […]
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” is a masterpiece for the ages. It opened the evening of Monday, Oct. 16 and the Civic Opera House exploded with a house full of male voices of the highest caliber. The cast is a lineup of men at the top of their game. Led […]
“Elektra” seems a strange choice to open the season at Lyric Opera of Chicago. No arias, no beautiful costumes, no comic relief, just the intense suffering of this title character from the ancient Greek tragedy by Sophocles. Yet the company’s new production of Richard Strauss’s powerful 90-minute theater piece proves a stunning success. Opening night […]
Once every three years, the Lyric Opera of Chicago presents its Wine Auction, a highly anticipated event for lovers of fine wine and luxury living. The 10th triennial auction event, chaired by our very own Susan Blankenbaker Noyes, founder of Make It Better Media, will be held on Friday, February 10th and will feature wine […]
Three dazzling sopranos electrify the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Richard Strauss’ “Ariadne Auf Naxos.” Composed in 1912, “Ariadne” is equal parts high-minded love story and raucous, rustic comedy. It begins with a conflict between a high-strung classical composer and a group of commedia dell’ arte players, both engaged as entertainment at the […]
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Richard Wagner’s “Lohengrin” is glorious. In its first sinuous strains, the score, conducted by Lyric’s music director Sir Andrew Davis, creates a deceptively serene dreamscape. But the story, set in 10th century Antwerp, portrays a violent collision between vengence and virtue. To experience this, you must commit 4 and […]
Blood was flowing at the opening of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2010-2011 season the evening of Oct. 1. Giuseppe Verdi’s powerful “Macbeth” starred the mighty American baritone Thomas Hampson in the title role and slim, sensual German soprano Nadja Michael as his fiercely ambitious partner in crime. Sex accompanies the violence in this production […]
A soprano with a golden voice and tenor who sings with power and beauty. Plus a baritone whose phrasing is exquisite and a bass whose low notes are sinister, indeed. That’s the core of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Ernani,” now in production at the Lyric Opera, and Chicago has assembled a dream team. American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky, […]
Imagine taking your family to a sunny Italian hamlet that time forgot, far away from the midwinter blahs…without jet lag! All you need are tickets to Lyric Opera of Chicago’s charming production of The Elixir of Love – available at special prices just for MakeItBetter readers! Lyric is offering discounted Mib tickets for adults (25%+ […]
