March 16, 2020
Week of February 8: Lyric Commentaries for opera streaming and more
There’s something for everyone this week! First, we’ll visit our friends at Opera Philadelphia, who have created a brand-new film of David T. Little’s opera Soldier Songs, streaming now through May.
Ever wonder what it takes to create a new opera? On Tuesday, we’re excited to premiere “Creating The Factotum,” a documentary about the creative process of Ryan Opera Center alumnus baritone Will Liverman and DJ/recording artist K-Rico’s new opera, inspired by The Barber of Seville, placed in a present-day Black barbershop in Chicago.
We’ll also stop by The Met and Atlanta Opera, and celebrate Valentine’s Day with Sheboygan Symphony Center’s Love (starring happily married Ryan Opera Center alumni Amanda Majeski and Sam Handley) and San Francisco Opera’s stream of Mozart’s Così fan tutte.
Lyric Opera Commentaries discuss the synopses, music, and some historical insights into the creation of the world's most beloved operas, and musical masterpieces you might never have experienced.
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Monday, February 8
Opera Philadelphia
Little: Soldier Songs
This film from Opera Philadelphia is a depiction of David T. Little’s opera Soldier Songs, which stars and was directed by baritone Johnathan McCullough—outside, rather than onstage. This ticketed stream is available through May 2021.
Tuesday, February 9
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Creating The Factotum
Follow the creation of Ryan Opera Center alumnus baritone Will Liverman and DJ/recording artist K-Rico's new opera, inspired by Rossini's The Barber of Seville, set in a present-day Black barbershop in Chicago. The Factotum combines operatic singing with hip-hop, barbershop, gospel, funk, neo soul, and R&B music. The behind-the-scenes process of creating the new work was documented by Chicago filmmaker Raphael Nash as an inside look to what it takes to create a new opera.
Learn more
Wednesday, February 10
The Metropolitan Opera
Rossini: The Barber of Seville
This classic production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Leo Nucci, Rockwell Blake, Kathleen Battle, Enzo Dara, and Ferruccio Furlanetto, and was directed by John Cox. The Barber of Seville was conducted by Ralf Weikert on December 3, 1988. This opera stream is available until 6:30pm on Thursday, February 11.
Lyric Commentary from the 2019/20 Season is by Nicholas Ivor Martin.
The Barber of Seville
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2019/20 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board.
Commentary by Nicholas Ivor Martin
Thursday, February 11
Atlanta Opera
Ullmann: The Kaiser of Atlantis
This production from Atlanta Opera stars Calvin Griffin, Alek Shrader, Kevin Burdette, and Daniela Mack, and was directed by Tomer Zvulun. The Kaiser of Atlantis was conducted by Clinton Smith in 2020. This stream is available indefinitely.
Friday, February 12
The Metropolitan Opera
Glass: Akhnaten
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Anthony Roth Costanzo, Ryan Opera Center alumna J’Nai Bridges, Dísella Lárusdóttir, Aaron Blake, Ryan Opera Center alumnus Will Liverman, Richard Bernstein, and Zachary James, and was directed by Phelim McDermott. Akhnaten was conducted by Karen Kamensek on November 23, 2019. This opera stream is available until 6:30pm on Saturday, February 13.
Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra
Love
This livestream event from Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra stars Ryan Opera Center alumni and husband-wife duo Amanda Majeski and Sam Handley, accompanied by Emile Blasczyk on the piano. Love takes place at 7:30pm CT.
Madison Opera
Live from the Madison Opera Center
This recital from Madison Opera stars Ryan Opera Center alumna Emily Birsan accompanied by cellist Karl Levine, pianist Scott Gendel, bassist John Christensen and pianist Pete Lundberg. This performance is at 7:30pm CT.
Sunday, February 14
San Francisco Opera
Mozart: Così fan tutte
This production from San Francisco Opera stars Marco Vinco, Francesco Demuro, Philippe Sly, Ellie Dehn, and was directed by Jose Maria Condemi. Così fan tutte was conducted by Nicola Luisotti. This opera stream premieres on Saturday, February 13 at 12pm CT, and will be available through Sunday, February 14.
Lyric Commentary from the 2015/16 Season is by Nicholas Ivor Martin.
Così fan tutte
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2017/18 Lyric Opera Commentaries Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Music Group. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women’s Board
Commentary by Nicholas Ivor Martin
Pasión Latina
Pasión Latina
Celebrate music of the Spanish-speaking world with a free virtual concert starring and hosted by renowned soprano and Lyric favorite Ana María Martínez, and featuring prominent Ryan Opera Center artists and alumni.
These engaging artists will perform a dynamic selection of some of their favorite music from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Argentina, and Spain, with piano accompaniment by Ryan Opera Center Music Director Craig Terry and current Ensemble pianist Chris Reynolds.
Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter
Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter
Lyric's Ryan Opera Center presents a free virtual concert celebrating the depth and breadth of Black artistry, hosted by world-renowned tenor Lawrence Brownlee, who also serves as artistic advisor for the event. The concert also features prominent Ryan Opera Center alumni — soprano Whitney Morrison, mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges, and baritone Will Liverman — and three current 2020/21 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members — tenors Martin Luther Clark and Lunga Eric Hallam, and baritone Leroy Davis.