March 16, 2020
Week of February 22: Lyric Commentaries for opera streaming and more
It’s the last week of February—can you believe it? We’ll start the week with Verdi and Tchaikovsky from The Metropolitan Opera (in gorgeous productions previously seen at Lyric), enjoy a recital with Seattle Opera, and then spend our Friday evening viewing Save the Boys, a new commission from Tyshawn Sorey (Cycles of My Being) at Opera Philadelphia.
Then, we’ll escape Chicago winter with San Francisco Opera’s upcoming stream of Verdi’s Falstaff, starring Lyric favorite Bryn Terfel.
As you enjoy this week's set of streaming opportunities, you can explore Lyric Opera Commentaries, which discuss the synopses, music, and some historical insights 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 22
The Metropolitan Opera
Verdi: Il trovatore
This performance from The Metropolitan Opera stars Sondra Radvanovsky, Dolora Zajick, Marcelo Álvarez, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and was directed by Sir David McVicar in a co-production with Lyric Opera and San Francisco Opera. Il trovatore was conducted by Marco Armiliato on April 30, 2011. This production is available until 6:30pm on Tuesday, February 23.
Lyric Commentary from the 2018/19 Season is by Elinor Olin.
Il trovatore
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2018/19 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved. Recording & production services provided by Mark Travis. The music featured in Lyric Commentaries is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board
Commentary by Elinor Olin
Tuesday, February 23
Seattle Opera
Jasmine Habersham in Recital
This virtual recital from Seattle Opera features soprano Jasmine Habersham accompanied by pianist David McDade. This stream is available through March 12.
Wednesday, February 24
The Metropolitan Opera
Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Renée Fleming, and Ramón Vargas, and was directed by Robert Carsen. Eugene Onegin was conducted by Valery Gergiev on February 24, 2007.
Lyric Commentary from the 2016/17 Season is by Roger Pines.
Eugene Onegin
by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2016/17 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Music furnished through an arrangement with Universal Music. All rights reserved. Recording & production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women's Board.
Commentary by Roger Pines, Dramaturg
Thursday, February 25
The Metropolitan Opera
Verdi: Ernani
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Marcello Giordani, Angela Meade, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and Ferruccio Furlanetto, and was directed by Pier Luigi Samaritani. Ernani was conducted by Marco Armiliato by February 25, 2012.
Lyric Commentary from the 2009/2010 Season is by William Mason.
Ernani
By Giuseppe Verdi
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2009/10 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved. Recording & production services provided by Mark Travis. The music featured in Lyric Commentaries is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board.
Commentary by Bill Mason, former General Director of Lyric Opera of Chicago
Part two
Part three
Part four
Part five
Friday, February 26
Opera Philadelphia
Sorey: Save the Boys
This digital production from Opera Philadelphia was written by Tyshawn Sorey, and was inspired by “Save the Boys,” an 1887 poem by abolitionist, writer, and Black women’s rights activist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Countertenor John Holiday performs in this commission, and is accompanied by pianist Grant Loehnig. Save the Boys is available for streaming through May 31.
Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28
San Francisco Opera
Verdi: Falstaff
This performance from San Francisco Opera of a Lyric co-production stars Bryn Terfel, Ainhoa Arteta, Heidi Stober, and Meredith Arwady, and was directed by Olivier Tambosi. Falstaff was conducted by Nicola Luisotti in 2013. This opera stream premieres on Saturday, February 27 at 12pm CT, and will be available through Sunday, February 28.
Lyric Commentary from the 2007/08 Season is by Gianna Rolandi and Nicholas Ivor Martin.
Falstaff
By Giuseppe Verdi
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
© 2007/08 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved. Recording & production services provided by Mark Travis. The music featured in Lyric Commentaries is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board
.
Commentary by Gianna Rolandi and Nicholas Ivor Martin
Creating The Factotum
Creating The Factotum
Follow the development of a new opera by Ryan Opera Center alumnus Will Liverman and DJ/recording artist K-Rico that transcends the limits of traditional repertoire. The Factotum, inspired by Rossini's The Barber of Seville, takes place in a present-day Black barbershop in Chicago and combines operatic singing with hip-hop, barbershop, gospel, funk, neo soul, and R&B music.
Chicago filmmaker Raphael Nash has captured the behind-the-scenes process of creating this new work and brings us backstage to meet the artists, hear from the creators, and feel the energy of a new opera being born.
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 Ryan Opera Center artists and alumni.
These engaging artists 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.