2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries

A project of the Women’s Board

Everyone will enjoy learning about this season's operas with the convenient and fun Lyric Opera commentaries! Available again this season, you can stream all eight commentaries free of charge.

Our commentators simplify abstract plots, share some of their favorite musical excerpts, offer tidbits about the production, and narrate anecdotal stories of composers and cast members. The commentaries promise to make each opera a more rewarding experience.

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in honor of their parents.

The Marriage of Figaro

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women’s Board.

Cinderella

by Gioachino Rossini

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women’s Board.

Wozzeck

by Alban Berg

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women’s Board.

The Merry Widow

by Franz Lehár

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women’s Board.

Bel Canto

Composed by Jimmy López 
Libretto by Nilo Cruz 
Based on the novel by Ann Patchett

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women's Board.

Nabucco

by Giuseppe Verdi

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women's Board.

Der Rosenkavalier

by Richard Strauss

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women's Board.

Romeo and Juliet

by Charles Gounod

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women’s Board.

Enjoy more opera online

Enjoy more opera online

Our friends at opera houses around the world are streaming some of our favorite productions online. We've compiled a weekly streaming guide to share some of our recommendations, accompanied — in many cases — by our popular Lyric Opera Commentaries as a way for you to get the most out of your viewing experience.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.

Photos: Todd Rosenberg, Cory Weaver