Week 19: Lyric Commentaries for opera streaming and more!

Have you heard the news? Lyric Opera of Chicago is back with our first virtual event of the season this week. Join us on Sunday when the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center presents Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter, a free virtual concert celebrating Black artistry. Hosted by tenor Lawrence Brownlee, this event will showcase 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. Don't miss this virtual concert taking place at 6pm CDT on Sunday, July 26. 

On Saturday, our brodcast series with WFMT continues with Bellini's bel canto masterpiece I puritani from Lyric's 2017/18 Season, starring Albina Shagimuratova and Lawrence Brownlee—that's right, you have two chances to hear the incredible Lawrence Brownlee this week! To enrich your listening experience, we've provided you with Lyric Commentaries, musical highlights, program articles, and photos. 

Also in this week's lineup is a special virtual performance from Audra McDonald hosted by Carnegie Hall, and productions from our friends at Des Moines Opera, Royal Opera House, and The Metropolitan Opera. 

Lyric Commentaries discuss the synopses, music, and some historical insights into how each piece was created. It’s like a Pre-Opera Talk you can hear at home!

Enjoy the background materials and enjoy the operas! View more Lyric Commentaries that enhance your weekly opera streaming. 

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

The Metropolitan Opera
Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia

This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Isabel Leonard, Lawrence Brownlee, Christopher Maltman, and Maurizio Muraro. Il Barbiere di Siviglia was conducted by Michele Mariotti starting November 22, 2014.

Lyric Commentary from the 2019/29 Season is by Nicholas Ivor Martin.

Des Moines Opera
Massenet: Manon 

This production from Des Moines Opera stars Sydney Mancasola, Joseph Dennis, Michael Adams, Troy Cook, and Brian Frutiger, and was directed by Kristine McIntyre. Manon was conducted by David Neely on July 5, 2016. 

Lyric Commentary from the 2008/09 Season is by Roger Pines.  

Live at Carnegie Hall: Audra McDonald

Six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald joins Carnegie Hall music director Andy Einhorn for a varied selection of songs in this at-home virtual concert. Following her performance, McDonald will join TV journalist Mo Rocca in a conversation about the role of artisic expression in times of social change. This virtual event will take place at 1pm CDT/2pm EDT.


LEARN MORE

Royal Opera House
Gounod: Faust

This production from the Royal Opera House stars Michael Fabiano, Irina Lungu, and Erwin Schrott, and was directed by Sir David McVicar. Faust was conducted by Dan Ettinger in 2019. This opera stream will be available through July 29, 2020. 

Lyric Commentary from the 2017/18 Season is by Nicholas Ivor Martin. 

The Metropolitan Opera
Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier

This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Renée Fleming, Christine Schäfer, Susan Graham, and Kristinn Sigmundsson. Der Rosenkavalier was conducted by Edo de Waart from January 9, 2010.

Lyric Commentary from the 2015/16 Season is by Roger Pines.

San Francisco Opera
Janáček: The Makropulos Case

This production from San Francisco Opera stars Karita Mattila, Gerd Grochowski, Dale Travis, and Miro Dvorsky, and was directed by Olivier Tambosi. The Makropulos Case was conducted by the late Jiří Bělohlávek in 2010. This opera stream will premiere at 10am PDT/12pm CDT, and will be available until 11:59pm the following evening. 

Lyric Opera of Chicago
Bellini: I puritani

This production of I puritani from Lyric's 2017/18 Season stars Albina Shagimuratova, Lawrence Brownlee, Ryan Opera Center alumnus Anthony Clark Evans, and Adrian Sâmpetrean, and was directed by Eric Einhorn. I puritani was conducted by Lyric's music director designate Enrique Mazzola, and can be heard at 12pm CDT on WFMT. 

In addition to listening to the Lyric Commentary by Roger Pines, you can visit our production page for musical highlights, program articles, the synopsis, and photos.

Lyric Opera of Chicago
Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter

Lyric’s Ryan Opera Center presents Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter, 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 will feature 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. Performances will be accompanied by Craig Terry, the Grammy Award-winning music director of the Ryan Opera Center, and Chris Reynolds, current Ensemble pianist. Members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra will also appear in a selection, performing from their homes. 

Music selections were chosen by the artists, and will include a dynamic combination of arias, songs, and sprituals. The performance will begin streaming live on July 26 at 6pm CDT on Lyric's YouTube site and on Lyric’s Facebook page. Add the event to your Facebook calendars today so you don’t miss this exciting live event! 

RSVP NOW! 

Photos: Kyle Flubacker, Dan Rest, Todd Rosenberg, Cory Weaver