One glorious example of an artist who is clearly comfortable on any stage and having added yet another statistical feat (Donizetti's "The Three Queens") to an already impressive resume, Berwyn's very own favorite diva Sondra Radvanovsky returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago in a very limited engagement to perform, in concert with musical support from the Lyric orchestra, "The Puccini Heroines." 4 SPOTLIGHTS
***** Highly Recommended ***** The Joffrey Ballet’s “Chicago-centric” version of The Nutcracker, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, is quite simply magnificent. By setting The Nutcracker amidst Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, Wheeldon gave the city a unique gift. It’s become a holiday tradition at my house! No matter how many times I see The Nutcracker, I never get tired of the feeling of anticipation and excitement before a performance, waiting for that first chord of Tchaikovsky’s glorious music! The Nutcracker is absolutely perfect in every way. 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended It was an absolute pleasure to see Hubbard Street Dance Chicago performing their Season 47: Fall Series in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre. As a venue, Steppenwolf provided a more intimate feel than does the cavernous Harris Theatre, the usual Hubbard Street venue. I was excited because Hubbard Street was chosen to add Fosse to their repertoire, thanks to the Verden Fosse Legacy. By the way, Nicole Fosse was in the audience opening night. The performance was truly amazing and I am in awe of the strength and grace of the entire ensemble. 4 BIG Spotlights
This season’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” one of Wolfgang Mozart’s most beloved operas and a masterpiece of music and the joy of life and love, surpasses all of Lyric Opera’s past incarnations of the last several decades.
In this production, Barbara Gaines, the now-retired founder and longtime director of Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, once more brings to Lyric her inimitable ability to imbue centuries-old characters with believable humanity and vibrancy – and make them feel like real people, despite the opera’s purposely contrived plot and the characters’ absurd hijinks.
**** Highly Recommended Nobody is better at contemporary jazz than Giordano Dance Chicago. Their fall engagement, Season 62 | SOARING was spectacular. From the gorgeous Gershwin tribute to the world premiere of sultry, swanky Red and Black, the program was outstanding. The Giordano dancers are so strong, so talented, so creative, they are awesome! 4 BIG Spotlights
****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** Lyric Opera of Chicago's ongoing commitment to presenting at least one contemporary opera per season has an added bonus in the programming of their current 2024/2025 season -- not just one but two of the six fully-staged operas that Lyric is producing are company premieres of operas written by living composers and featuring librettos which are sung in English. The first of these operas is "Blue," an emotionally riveting and profoundly powerful work from composer Jeanine Tesori and librettist Tazewell Thompson, who also serves as the director of this finely crafted production. The second, Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek's "The Listeners" will conclude Lyric's season when it opens in March of 2025. 4 SPOTLIGHTS
**** Highly Recommended The Joffrey Ballet’s performance of "Atonement" was absolutely magnificent! Words just don’t do it justice! I thought Cathy Marston’s "Jane Eyre" was the ultimate in translating beloved stories into passionate dance experiences, but I was wrong. I was there when the Joffrey dancers brought Ian McEwan’s novel to life. The Joffrey dancers are the best – talented dancers, athletes and actors What an incredible experience! 4 BIG Spotlights
***RECOMMENDED*** You certainly have to hand it to the clever folks at Chicago Opera Theater, especially their forward-thinking General Director Lawrence Edelson, for perfectly timing the North American premiere of the rarely seen Ferdinando Paer opera "Leonora." Edelson, who also serves as the stage director of this production, has waited many years for the chance to present this obscure work to Chicago audiences. When it was announced that Lyric Opera of Chicago would be presenting Ludwig van Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio," during their 2024/2025 season, Edelson knew that his company needed to act fast to prepare for their own version of the same story.
****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**** Ludwig van Beethoven composed only one opera during his lifetime. That work was first performed at Theater an der Wien in Vienna in 1805. Beethoven, who wasn't completely satisfied with his efforts, did some major revisions and wrote several different versions for the overture of the same opera that, by 1814, became what we know today as "Fidelio." Lyric Opera of Chicago first presented "Fidelio" in November of 1961, which was the seventh season of the company's existence. It has now been over two decades since "Fidelio" has been staged at Lyric. Which makes this moment, and this particular production, the perfect time to acquaint yourself with Beethoven's only opera. 4 SPOTLIGHTS
****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Excitement was in the air at Lyric Opera of Chicago's opening night performance of Verdi's "Rigoletto." Two of the three principals are making their highly-anticipated company debuts and fresh new talent abounds everywhere in this production. As a matter of fact, eight of the twelve cast members are appearing on Lyric's stage for the very first time. Combine that with the insightful and sensitive direction of Mary Birnbaum (also a Lyric debut) as well as the impeccable leadership in the orchestra pit of Music Director Enrique Mazzola, and you have one of the most solid and wholly satisfying productions that Lyric Opera has presented in many, many years. What a glorious way for Lyric to launch their 70th anniversary season. 4 BIG SPOTLIGHTS
