The definition of daunting: the chance to sit down with one of your favorite living authors. I was lucky enough to have that opportunity recently when award-winning author Ann Patchett was in town for the Dec. 7 world premiere of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s “Bel Canto,” an original opera based on her luminous 2001 book. It […]
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s love affair with the beautiful Renée Fleming shows no signs of cooling, and after the premiere of “The Merry Widow” Nov. 14, the whole arts community and beyond appeared to be wrapped in the embrace of this acclaimed American soprano. A virtually sold-out crowd packed the Civic Opera House to see and […]
Last weekend’s shopping fun continues with Bling, a jewelry and gift show, and fans of “The Hunger Games” have a chance to win free movie tickets. Plus, the McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink and two shows open in Chicago. Bling: The Jewelry & Gift Show Nov. 13-15 Highland Park This Amdur Productions festival features more […]
Lyric Opera of Chicago is presenting the story of Cinderella as we’ve never seen it before. Gioachino Rossini’s marvelous retelling of this story (“La Cenerentola”) at the Civic Opera House makes us forget the Disney version. There is no fairy godmother. Instead, a towering philosopher sees to it that virtue is rewarded. No cute little […]
“The Marriage of Figaro” is all about sex, and Director Barbara Gaines doesn’t let us forget it. In a new production at Lyric Opera of Chicago, which opened Sept. 26 at the Civic Opera House, she gives everything from adolescent longings to le droit du seigneur a humorous touch. Gaines is founder and artistic director of Chicago […]
For theatergoers, season ticket subscriptions offer savings on ticket costs, the ability to change seats or performance dates, and the chance to put some outings on the calendar months ahead of time. And, subscriptions are a way of putting your money behind a group you like. Here’s a look at several superb Chicago-area theater subscription […]
A Wagner opera delivers three things: a seamless score, glorious melodies and great length. Lyric Opera of Chicago‘s production of the composer’s “Tannhauser,” which opened Feb. 9 at the Civic Opera House, certainly had all of the above. But this opera is also a conflict between the spiritual and the sensual. The role of Tannhauser […]
An opera as suspenseful as a Hitchcock film, a soul-searing score, and a marvel of a two-tiered set. And that’s before we even mention the voices on stage at the Lyric Opera of Chicago‘s premiere of “The Passenger” the evening of Feb. 24. The score by Mieczysław Weinberg begins with menacing drums, painting a musical portrait […]
“Tosca” has everything. A chilling story of an opera singer and a painter trapped in the political turmoil of 1800 Rome; their passionate, doomed love story; and blood—oh yes, lots and lots of blood—all borne on the crest of Puccini’s magnificent music. Lyric Opera of Chicago opened a new production of this glorious tragedy at […]
“Anna Bolena” premiered in December of 1830, composed by Gaetano Donizetti, who lived from 1797 to 1848. So it is a bel canto opera, right? Yes, but don’t think the principals will just stand there and sing. The three hour and 25 minute production at Lyric Opera of Chicago opened Saturday, Dec. 6, and this […]
