Lyric Opera of Chicago - Chicago | 22 January 2021 |
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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 |
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A ‘Butterfly that soars |
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Madama Butterfly is the ultimate bad date story |
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A celebrated Butterfly, Ana Maria Martinez indicates traditional Japanese movement with quiet grace |
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‘Madama Butterfly’ remains one of opera’s grandest tearjerkers |
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From a clear-sighted soprano, a high purpose |
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A compelling case for ‘Madama Butterfly’ |
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The Queen of SpadesLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() |
The current production succeeds admirably in portraying such aspects of the human psyche |
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Obsession, ill fate and tragedy in Lyric Opera's The Queen of Spades |
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Raw deal |
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A stunning Queen of Spades in Chicago |
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Long live this Queen |
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Tchaikovsky trashed: Lyric audience dealt a losing hand by disastrous staging of “Queen of Spades” |
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Brandon Jovanovich passionately tears into Gherman |
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No dancing mice in sight as Lyric showcases Tchaikovsky’s darker side |
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Don GiovanniLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 10 | ![]() ![]() |
This production featured several outstanding, individual performances |
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Give me libertine |
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With a new Don, Lyric’s “Don Giovanni” remains a stellar night of Mozart |
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In Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Don Giovanni, Donna Elvira triumphs |
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The return of Don Giovanni at the Lyric |
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Darkness on the edge of town |
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First-class cast, stylish staging make a “Don Giovanni” to die for at Lyric |
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Lyric Opera takes a no-nonsense approach to impassioned ‘Don Giovanni’ |
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A ‘Don Giovanni’ for the #MeToo era — who is far more monster than charmer |
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Stunning ‘Don Giovanni’ a surprisingly ideal fit for the #MeToo era |
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The Three QueensLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() |
Radvanovsky's performance ranked right up there with those of the greats before her |
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In parade of regal opera, Sondra Radvanovsky inhabits three tragic Donizetti queens at Lyric |
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Radvanovsky in regal form for Lyric’s triple crown of Donizetti queens |
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Radvanovsky excels in Lyric’s ‘Three Queens’ |
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Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky vividly conjures ‘Three Queens’ betrayed |
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We three queens |
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Dead Man WalkingLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() ![]() |
Heggie’s Dead Man Walking finally arrives in Chicago |
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As to be expected from any Lyric production, Dead Man Walking is beautifully sung |
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Powerful vocals a highlight in 'Dead Man Walking' opera |
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Crime after crime |
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Patricia Racette makes a strong role debut as Sister Helen |
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Dead Man Walking makes its gut-punching Lyric debut |
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‘Dead Man Walking’ powerfully probes guilt and redemption |
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Lyric Opera’s powerful “Dead Man Walking” comes to life with searing impact |
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In ‘Dead Man Walking,’ music elevates the intense emotions surrounding crime and capital punishment |
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Luisa MillerLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() |
In Chicago, after 30 years, a welcome return of Luisa Miller |
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Intriguing love |
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The Wurm turns - Luisa Miller snowballs toward disaster and death |
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Music director designate Enrique Mazzola presents a high-stakes ‘Luisa Miller’ |
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Uneven singing, lack of dramatic fire make for low-voltage Verdi in Lyric’s “Luisa Miller” |
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Powerfully sung ‘Luisa Miller’ offers hints of what’s to come |
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Il barbiere di SivigliaLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 12 | ![]() ![]() |
Lyric Opera's The Barber of Seville wraps Chicago with humor and joy |
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Amusing 'Barber of Seville' graces Lyric Opera stage |
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The Lyric Opera opens on a hilarious note with Barber of Seville |
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A charmingly detailed revival |
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Rossini’s Barber opens a new season at Lyric Opera of Chicago |
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This cast embraces the physical humor innate to the comic opera genre |
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Girl power prevails amid vocal fireworks, lots of laughs |
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Smile-filled season opener |
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Sparkle, Lyric, sparkle! |
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Lyric Opera opens season with a bright and delightful “Barber of Seville” |
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A little off at the top, Lyric Opera production builds to mighty finish |
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A wickedly funny ‘Barber of Seville’ begins season |
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West Side StoryLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 10 | ![]() ![]() |
What is strongest was the choreography |
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Zambello's West Side Story staging is an odd and disquieting jumble |
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A classic comes to life at the Lyric Opera |
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A grand, traditional West Side Story |
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West Side Story is bucket list worthy |
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Fresh talent and palpable energy deliver a can’t miss West Side Story |
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‘West Side Story’ still carries a message |
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‘West Side Story’ revived as gritty, witty and bright at Lyric Opera |
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Lyric Opera has a great, traditional 'West Side Story' that believes in the original |
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A star-making performance and Bernstein’s magnificent score boost Lyric Opera’s “West Side Story” |
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An American DreamLyric Opera of ChicagoNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
The Chicago premiere of Perla’s An American Dream |
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In dreams |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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