April 08, 2021
Week of April 12: 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.
Sunday, April 11
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Attila Highlights in Concert: Explore More with Enrique Mazzola
Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola leads world-renowned principal artists in a performance of piano-accompanied excerpts from Verdi's Attila, the story of the infamous "Scourge of God," his consuming desire for power, and his final downfall. Premieres Sunday, April 11 at 2pm CT on Lyric's YouTube and Facebook channels.
Monday, April 12
The Metropolitan Opera
Massenet: Cendrillon
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Kathleen Kim, Joyce DiDonato, Alice Coote, Stephanie Blythe, and Laurent Naouri, conducted by Bertrand de Billy. Production by Laurent Pelly. From April 28, 2018.
Lyric Commentary from the 2018/19 Season is by Roger Pines.
Cendrillon
by Jules Massenet
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 for Cendrillon is furnished by Naxos Records.
A project of the Women's Board
Commentary by Roger Pines, Dramaturg
Tuesday, April 13
Sarasota Opera
Rossini: Il signor Bruschino
This lighthearted operatic comedy opens with one of Rossini’s most innovative and playful overtures. Anxious young lovers navigate their way through meddling parents, an arranged marriage, and a case of mistaken identity, with sparkling arias and ensembles soaring towards happily ever after. Featuring Stefano de Peppo, Hanna Brammer, and Alexander Boyd, and conducted by Victor Derenzi. Available through April 24; tickets are available for purchase for $25.
Wednesday, April 14
MasterVoices
Myths and Hymns 3
The central project of MasterVoices’ 2020-2021 season will be a virtual rollout of award-winning composer Adam Guettel’s theatrical song cycle, Myths and Hymns, in an online staging conceived by Ted Sperling. Inspired by Greek myths and a 19th century Presbyterian hymnal, the 1998 cycle is a kaleidoscopic collection of musical genres as it explores the nature of faith and longing in a secular world. New short musical films will illustrate the protagonist’s attempt to seek answers in four ways–through Flight, Work, Love, and Faith. The four chapters of this personal voyage will be released in free digital installments throughout the winter and spring. Featuring Dianne Drayse Alonso, Nina Bernstein, John Brancy, Dove Cameron, Victoria Clark, Drew Gehling, Cheyenne Jackson, Shereen Pimentel, Lori Wilner, Earl Womack, Ted Sperling, The MasterVoices Chorus, and more artists TBA.
International Music Foundation
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts
Featuring David Weigel and Chris Reynolds performing selections from Leslie Adams's Nightsongs, Lili Boulanger's Clairières dans le ciel, and Alberto Ginastera's Cinco Canciones Populares Argentinas, Op. 10. Tune in Wednesday at 12:15pm CT.
Thursday, April 15
The Metropolitan Opera
Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel
Starring Judith Blegen, Frederica von Stade, Jean Kraft, Rosalind Elias, and Michael Devlin, conducted by Thomas Fulton. Production by Nathaniel Merrill. From December 25, 1982.
Friday, April 16
The Metropolitan Opera
Dvořák: Rusalka
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Kristine Opolais, Katarina Dalayman, Jamie Barton, Brandon Jovanovich, and Eric Owens, conducted by Sir Mark Elder. Production by Mary Zimmerman. From February 25, 2017.
Sunday, April 18
The Metropolitan Opera
Rossini: La Cenerentola
This Met livestream stars Joyce DiDonato, Juan Diego Flórez, Pietro Spagnoli, Alessandro Corbelli, and Luca Pisaroni, conducted by Fabio Luisi. Production by Cesare Lievi. From May 10, 2014.
2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries by Sir Andrew Davis in collaboration with Jack Zimmerman.
Cinderella
by Gioachino Rossini
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. 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 Sir Andrew Davis in collaboration with Jack Zimmerman
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.