April 22, 2021
Week of April 26: Lyric Commentaries for opera streaming and more
We hope you enjoy a new week of curated streaming opportunities that you can explore in the comfort of your home! Turn on your biggest screen and check out our streaming suggestions below, along with commentaries that accompany Lyric titles.
As you delve into this week's set of streaming options, you can peruse 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, April 26
Opera San José
Jake Heggie: Three Decembers
World-renowned mezzo-soprano Susan Graham leads the cast of Opera San José’s first fully staged digital production, Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers, based on Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally’s unpublished play “Some Christmas Letters.” Led by Resident Conductor Christopher James Ray, and staged by Resident Director Tara Branham. Pay-what-you-can tickets are available now for on-demand streaming.
The Metropolitan Opera
Puccini: La bohème
Starring Sonya Yoncheva, Susanna Phillips, Michael Fabiano, Lucas Meachem, and Matthew Rose, conducted by Marco Armiliato. Production by Franco Zeffirelli. From February 24, 2018.
La bohème
by Giacomo Puccini
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 Wynne Delacoma
Tuesday, April 27
Harris Theater
Beyond the Aria
This new Beyond the Aria program, filmed on the Harris Theater stage in February 2021, brings the intimacy and spontaneity of the Beyond the Aria series to the virtual setting. Soprano Amanda Majeski, soprano Ann Toomey, and mezzo-soprano Katherine Beck (Ryan Opera Center Ensemble member) join series artistic director and pianist Craig Terry to perform repertoire of their choosing.
The Metropolitan Opera
Lehár: The Merry Widow
Starring Renée Fleming, Kelli O’Hara, Nathan Gunn, Alek Shrader, and Sir Thomas Allen, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. Production by Susan Stroman. From January 17, 2015.
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.
Commentary by Anthony Freud and Nicholas Ivor Martin
Wednesday, April 28
Tulsa Opera
Verdi: Rigoletto Baseball
A curse placed on a malicious court jester (Todd Thomas) and a licentious duke (Joshua Wheeker) spirals into a tragic tale of jealousy and revenge centered on the jester’s beautiful daughter Gilda (Sarah Coburn.) This unique production is staged on a baseball diamond and is available to stream for free.
Thursday, April 29
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Rising Stars in Concert
Enjoy a program of rarely heard operatic gems in the annual showcase of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center: Rising Stars in Concert. This concert will be led by conductor Christopher Allen, with Ryan Opera Center pianist Chris Reynolds and a chamber ensemble of Lyric Opera Orchestra members. Premieres Thursday, April 29 at 7pm CT.
Friday, April 30
Houston Grand Opera
Damien Sneed and Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton: Marian's Song
Houston Grand Opera’s 68th world premiere — the HGO-commissioned Marian’s Song, composed by Damien Sneed to a libretto by Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, Houston’s poet laureate emeritus — debuted in February 2020. The opera is based on the life of contralto Marian Anderson, one of the most celebrated singers of the 20th century, who broke racial barriers throughout her storied career. Now audiences can enjoy a new filmed version of this innovative fusion of opera, spoken word, and multimedia projections. Premiering for free on Marquee TV.
Saturday, May 1
Florentine Opera
La Vie en Rose
Florentine Opera Company is offering "La Vie en Rose," a recital of French songs performed by the Baumgartner Studio Artists. Tickets are $25. Available through July 9.
The Metropolitan Opera
Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur
Starring Anna Netrebko, Anita Rachvelishvili, Piotr Beczała, and Ambrogio Maestri, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. Production by Sir David McVicar. From January 12, 2019.
Sunday, May 2
The Metropolitan Opera
Puccini: La Rondine
Starring Angela Gheorghiu, Lisette Oropesa, Roberto Alagna, Marius Brenciu, and Samuel Ramey, conducted by Marco Armiliato. Production by Nicolas Joël. From January 10, 2009.
Watch now
Sole e Amore (Sun and Love)
Sole e Amore (Sun and Love)
Revel in the sounds of Italy with a virtual recital awash with beautiful lesser-known musical gems by beloved Italian opera composers, curated and hosted by Lyric’s Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola and presented by The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center. With Maestro Mazzola and Ensemble member Chris Reynolds alternating at the piano, members of the Ryan Opera Center 2020/21 Ensemble perform songs by Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, Puccini, and Mascagni, selected with love by Mazzola.
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.