Lyric Opera of Chicago Revamps 2020-21 Season

By Francisco Salazar

The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced new offerings for its revamped 202-21 season.

In a statement, Anthony Freud said, “As we begin the second half of our 2020-21 Season, we are excited to continue to make Lyric programs accessible to audiences everywhere through these creative efforts. We are eager to return to presenting full productions for live audiences at the Lyric Opera House, and in the meantime, we are delighted that during the next couple of months, Lyric will generate some highly innovative, entertaining, and informative programs.”

The programs will begin on Feb. 9 with “The Creating The Factotum documentary which will be available on the company’s YouTube channel and website. The documentary follows the development and recent music workshop of The Factotum, a new opera inspired by Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.

“Sole e Amore (Sun and Love)” will premiere on Feb. 21 and will highlight beautiful lesser-known songs with some familiar melodies by beloved Italian opera composers, including Verdi, Puccini, and Bellini. The program is created and presented by Lyric’s Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola, directed by Matthew Ozawa, and stars the Ryan Opera Center Ensemble.

“Twilight: Gods” will make its Chicago premiere and will showcase a drive-through opera, directed and conceived by Yuval Sharon with new narrative poetry by Chicago artist avery r. young. The work will be presented on April 28, 30, and May 2.

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Gala: Magical Music Around the World celebrating the talent of the world-renowned Ryan Opera Center Ensemble, will be adapted to the virtual space this year. The gala will be presented on March 21, 2021

The company will also present “Attila” Highlights in Concert. Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola leads soprano Tamara Wilson as Odabella, tenor Matthew Polenzani as Foresto, baritone Quinn Kelsey as Ezio, and bass-baritone Christian Van Horn as Attila in a performance of duo piano-accompanied excerpts from the work. The concert will premiere on April 11, 2021.

The Sonata Sessions will showcase Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola leading an expanded string ensemble featuring members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra in performances of all six of Rossini’s String Sonatas. The series premiere in March and April.

The Lyric Opera will present “The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown” which will showcase Music Director Sir Andrew Davis, Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola, and Chorus Master Michael Black conducting two grand Verdi choruses, performed by the Lyric Opera Chorus. Choruses will be chosen “La traviata,” “Il trovatore,” “Otello,” “Luisa Miller,” “Nabucco,” and “Macbeth.” The showcase will premiere in April.

 

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