| Lyric Opera of Chicago - Chicago | 22 January 2021 |
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Madama Butterfly
Don Giovanni
Dead Man Walking
Il barbiere di Siviglia
West Side Story
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Performance reviews
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Madama ButterflyLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Two impressive debuts in Chicago Lyric’s Madama Butterfly reboot |
 17 Mar 20 / Seen and Heard |
A ‘Butterfly that soars |
| 12 Feb 20 / The Times Weekly |
Madama Butterfly is the ultimate bad date story |
| 12 Feb 20 / Chicago Reader |
more reviews [+]
A celebrated Butterfly, Ana Maria Martinez indicates traditional Japanese movement with quiet grace |
| 11 Feb 20 / Newcity Stage |
‘Madama Butterfly’ remains one of opera’s grandest tearjerkers |
| 10 Feb 20 / Chicago Sun-Times |
From a clear-sighted soprano, a high purpose |
| 10 Feb 20 / Chicago on the Aisle |
A compelling case for ‘Madama Butterfly’ |
| 8 Feb 20 / Chicago Tribune |
The Queen of SpadesLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 8 | |
The current production succeeds admirably in portraying such aspects of the human psyche |
| 4 Mar 20 / Opera Today |
Obsession, ill fate and tragedy in Lyric Opera's The Queen of Spades |
| 28 Feb 20 / Chicago Daily Herald |
Raw deal |
| 26 Feb 20 / ConcertoNet (English) |
more reviews [+]
A stunning Queen of Spades in Chicago |
| 21 Feb 20 / Seen and Heard |
Long live this Queen |
| 19 Feb 20 / Newcity Stage |
Tchaikovsky trashed: Lyric audience dealt a losing hand by disastrous staging of “Queen of Spades” |
| 19 Feb 20 / Classical Review |
Brandon Jovanovich passionately tears into Gherman |
| 19 Feb 20 / Windy City Times |
No dancing mice in sight as Lyric showcases Tchaikovsky’s darker side |
| 17 Feb 20 / Chicago Sun-Times |
Don GiovanniLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 10 | |
This production featured several outstanding, individual performances |
| 6 Jan 20 / Opera Today |
Give me libertine |
| 10 Dec 19 / parterre box |
With a new Don, Lyric’s “Don Giovanni” remains a stellar night of Mozart |
| 5 Dec 19 / Classical Review |
more reviews [+]
In Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Don Giovanni, Donna Elvira triumphs |
| 4 Dec 19 / Seen and Heard |
The return of Don Giovanni at the Lyric |
| 20 Nov 19 / Chicago Reader |
Darkness on the edge of town |
| 20 Nov 19 / parterre box |
First-class cast, stylish staging make a “Don Giovanni” to die for at Lyric |
| 16 Nov 19 / Classical Review |
Lyric Opera takes a no-nonsense approach to impassioned ‘Don Giovanni’ |
| 16 Nov 19 / Chicago Sun-Times |
A ‘Don Giovanni’ for the #MeToo era — who is far more monster than charmer |
| 16 Nov 19 / Chicago Tribune |
Stunning ‘Don Giovanni’ a surprisingly ideal fit for the #MeToo era |
| 16 Nov 19 / WTTW |
The Three QueensLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Radvanovsky's performance ranked right up there with those of the greats before her |
| 11 Dec 19 / The Times Weekly |
In parade of regal opera, Sondra Radvanovsky inhabits three tragic Donizetti queens at Lyric |
| 6 Dec 19 / Chicago on the Aisle |
Radvanovsky in regal form for Lyric’s triple crown of Donizetti queens |
| 3 Dec 19 / Classical Review |
more reviews [+]
Radvanovsky excels in Lyric’s ‘Three Queens’ |
| 3 Dec 19 / Chicago Tribune |
Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky vividly conjures ‘Three Queens’ betrayed |
| 3 Dec 19 / WTTW |
We three queens |
| 3 Dec 19 / Chicago Reader |
Dead Man WalkingLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Heggie’s Dead Man Walking finally arrives in Chicago |
| 25 Nov 19 / Seen and Heard |
As to be expected from any Lyric production, Dead Man Walking is beautifully sung |
| 18 Nov 19 / Broadway World |
Powerful vocals a highlight in 'Dead Man Walking' opera |
| 6 Nov 19 / NWI Times |
more reviews [+]
Crime after crime |
| 5 Nov 19 / Newcity Stage |
Patricia Racette makes a strong role debut as Sister Helen |
| 5 Nov 19 / Windy City Times |
Dead Man Walking makes its gut-punching Lyric debut |
| 5 Nov 19 / Chicago Reader |
‘Dead Man Walking’ powerfully probes guilt and redemption |
| 4 Nov 19 / Chicago Tribune |
Lyric Opera’s powerful “Dead Man Walking” comes to life with searing impact |
| 4 Nov 19 / Classical Review |
In ‘Dead Man Walking,’ music elevates the intense emotions surrounding crime and capital punishment |
| 4 Nov 19 / Chicago Sun-Times |
Luisa MillerLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 6 | |
In Chicago, after 30 years, a welcome return of Luisa Miller |
| 18 Oct 19 / Seen and Heard |
Intriguing love |
| 15 Oct 19 / Newcity Stage |
The Wurm turns - Luisa Miller snowballs toward disaster and death |
| 15 Oct 19 / parterre box |
more reviews [+]
Music director designate Enrique Mazzola presents a high-stakes ‘Luisa Miller’ |
| 14 Oct 19 / Chicago Tribune |
Uneven singing, lack of dramatic fire make for low-voltage Verdi in Lyric’s “Luisa Miller” |
| 14 Oct 19 / Classical Review |
Powerfully sung ‘Luisa Miller’ offers hints of what’s to come |
| 14 Oct 19 / Chicago Sun-Times |
Il barbiere di SivigliaLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 12 | |
Lyric Opera's The Barber of Seville wraps Chicago with humor and joy |
| 18 Oct 19 / Chicago Daily Herald |
Amusing 'Barber of Seville' graces Lyric Opera stage |
| 15 Oct 19 / NWI Times |
The Lyric Opera opens on a hilarious note with Barber of Seville |
| 14 Oct 19 / Chicago Maroon |
more reviews [+]
A charmingly detailed revival |
| 10 Oct 19 / Opera Today |
Rossini’s Barber opens a new season at Lyric Opera of Chicago |
| 5 Oct 19 / Seen and Heard |
This cast embraces the physical humor innate to the comic opera genre |
| 2 Oct 19 / Broadway World |
Girl power prevails amid vocal fireworks, lots of laughs |
| 2 Oct 19 / Chicago on the Aisle |
Smile-filled season opener |
| 1 Oct 19 / Picture this Post |
Sparkle, Lyric, sparkle! |
| 1 Oct 19 / parterre box |
Lyric Opera opens season with a bright and delightful “Barber of Seville” |
| 30 Sep 19 / Classical Review |
A little off at the top, Lyric Opera production builds to mighty finish |
| 30 Sep 19 / Chicago Sun-Times |
A wickedly funny ‘Barber of Seville’ begins season |
| 30 Sep 19 / Chicago Tribune |
West Side StoryLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 10 | |
What is strongest was the choreography |
| 15 May 19 / Hollywood Chicago |
Zambello's West Side Story staging is an odd and disquieting jumble |
| 8 May 19 / Windy City Times |
A classic comes to life at the Lyric Opera |
| 8 May 19 / Urban Matter |
more reviews [+]
A grand, traditional West Side Story |
| 7 May 19 / Broadway World |
West Side Story is bucket list worthy |
| 7 May 19 / Chicago Parent |
Fresh talent and palpable energy deliver a can’t miss West Side Story |
| 7 May 19 / Third Coast Review |
‘West Side Story’ still carries a message |
| 7 May 19 / Chicago Theater and Arts |
‘West Side Story’ revived as gritty, witty and bright at Lyric Opera |
| 6 May 19 / Chicago Sun-Times |
Lyric Opera has a great, traditional 'West Side Story' that believes in the original |
| 6 May 19 / Chicago Tribune |
A star-making performance and Bernstein’s magnificent score boost Lyric Opera’s “West Side Story” |
| 6 May 19 / Classical Review |
An American DreamLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 2 | |
The Chicago premiere of Perla’s An American Dream |
| 23 Mar 19 / Seen and Heard |
In dreams |
| 21 Mar 19 / parterre box |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
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News & Articles
| Lyric Opera patrons will return (eventually) to new, wider seats |
In a show of confidence about its future, the company has been replacing every seat and reconfiguring its audience space, and expects to finish the project this week. |
| 24 Nov 2020 / Chicago Sun-Times |
| Lyric Opera cancels rest of season |
To no one’s surprise the Lyric Opera of Chicago has cancelled the rest of its 2020-21 season. At the same time, the company announced “highlights” of its schedule for 2021-22. |
| 22 Oct 2020 / Chicago Classical Review |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago announces first woman board chair |
Anthony Freud, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s general director, president & CEO, has announced the election of Sylvia Neil as chair of Lyric’s Board of Directors making her the first woman to serve as board chair in the company’s history. |
| 20 Sep 2020 / OperaWire |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago cancels further performances |
Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that it has cancelled the performances scheduled from September to December in the company's 2020-21 season due to the ongoing health crisis. |
| 17 Jun 2020 / Opera News |
| What happens when you cancel a once-in-a-lifetime opera |
The coronavirus hit America at the worst possible moment for Lyric Opera of Chicago. |
| 9 Apr 2020 / Chicago Magazine |
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