June 04, 2021
Lyric Family Favorites: June 4
The gorgeous song “L’abbandono” by Vincenzo Bellini is truly a hidden gem. Not published until a century after his death, the song was likely written in Italy when Bellini was very young. Full of melancholy, a despondent young man addresses the breeze (why should it sigh when he's the only one who's allowed to sigh?), the flowers (they languish), and a bee (he should fly to the singer's beloved and implore her to return to him). Baritone Ricardo José Rivera, who recently completed his residency with the Ryan Opera Center Ensemble, brings out Bellini’s beautiful phrasing in this performance from Sole e Amore.
Plus, learn more about star soprano Janai Brugger, watch the full first episode of Inside Opera with Renée Fleming, Ann Ziff, and Sylvia Neil, and listen to a full Lyric performance of Rusalka.
Spotlight on Janai Brugger
In Celebrating Sir Andrew Davis, from Mozart to Stravinsky, we were thrilled to have soprano and Chicago native Janai Brugger return to our stage as both Susanna/The Marriage of Figaro and Anne Trulove/The Rake’s Progress. Previously at Lyric she portrayed Ilia/Idomeneo (2018/19) and Liù/Turandot (2017/18). Learn more about this starry artist in our midst.
Inside Opera with Renée Fleming, Ann Ziff, and Sylvia Neil
Watch the full first episode of this new video interview series hosted by Board Chair Sylvia Neil. World-renowned soprano and Lyric Special Projects Advisor Renée Fleming joins Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera Board Ann Ziff to discuss “Women, Power and Opera.”
Rusalka and her journey
Sir David McVicar, director of the 2013/14 Lyric premiere of Rusalka and the upcoming new production of Macbeth, described Dvořák’s opera as “a fairytale for adults.” See why and explore the fantastical world of Rusalka in this article, then listen to the full recording with Lyric Audio Streaming.