Articles tagged with: Verdi
Verdi’s ‘Don Carlos’ at Lyric Opera of Chicago: Epic French version is potent despite stark set
![Verdi’s ‘Don Carlos’ at Lyric Opera of Chicago: Epic French version is potent despite stark set LyricOpera Don Carlos ftr img Guerrero Sorensen-Todd Rosenberg](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/LyricOpera-Don-Carlos-ftr-img-Guerrero-Sorensen-Todd-Rosenberg-125x125.jpg)
Review: The fascinating problem with the Lyric Opera production of Verdi’s “Don Carlos” – beautifully conducted by music director Enrique Mazzola, especially in the mystical, delicate parts – is that there is almost too much of it. A Thanksgiving feast comes to mind, that overwhelmed sense that can develop before the third helpings are passed and desserts loom. The fifth and final act ends, as it must, in defeat and death, with Verdi’s music at its most painfully exquisite.★★★★
‘Il trovatore’ at the Lyric Opera of Chicago: Vital foursome re-energizes a Verdi classic
![‘Il trovatore’ at the Lyric Opera of Chicago: Vital foursome re-energizes a Verdi classic Il trovatore feature image (Lyric Opera of Chicago)](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Il-trovatore-feature-image-Lyric-Opera-of-Chicago-125x125.jpg)
Review: When people talk about high-energy spectacle and romantic intensity in Italian opera, “Il Trovatore” is the classic Exhibit A. An instant hit when it opened in Rome, it’s still a winner. Lyric’s three-way production with the San Francisco Opera and the Met is a concept that remains dynamic and fresh, from the flash and wham of gypsy smithies hammering away at their swords in the extravagant Anvil Chorus, to the tragic love triangle that complicates a civil war unfolding. ★★★★
‘Nabucco’ at Lyric Opera: The youthful Verdi’s future on display in a grand night of singing
![‘Nabucco’ at Lyric Opera: The youthful Verdi’s future on display in a grand night of singing Nabucco (Andrew Cioffi, Lyric Opera Chicago)](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Nabucco-Andrew-Cioffi-Lyric-Opera-Chicago-125x125.jpg)
Review: The best way to experience a performance of Verdi’s “Nabucco” is to think like an actor thinks. Stay in the moment completely. Don’t overthink the logic, the plot complications, the evidence of history. Avoid those traps and the musical impact of “Nabucco” — which is currently on the boards at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, where several mighty singing actors are doing terrific work – will thrill you to your bones.★★★★
Relive Chicago Symphony’s Verdi Requiem: Chicago On the Aisle offers clickable concert
![Relive Chicago Symphony’s Verdi Requiem: Chicago On the Aisle offers clickable concert Chicago Symphony Orchestra command truck for Verdi Requiem simulcast Oct. 20, 2013 (Todd Rosenberg)](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Chicago-Symphony-Orchestra-command-truck-for-Verdi-Requiem-simulcast-Oct.-20-2013-Todd-Rosenberg-125x125.jpg)
UPDATE: Get your finest audio headphones ready: A video on demand is now available here of the CSO’s first-ever simulcast — Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem with Riccardo Muti conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, soprano Tatiana Serjan, mezzo-soprano Daniela Barcellona, tenor Mario Zeffiri and bass Ildar Abdrazakov.
Lyric Opera’s storm-tossed ‘Otello’ weathers sudden cast change not even Iago could plot
![Lyric Opera’s storm-tossed ‘Otello’ weathers sudden cast change not even Iago could plot Chorus Master Michael Black](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Chorus-master-Michael-Black-100x100.jpg)
Review: Villainous Iago’s creed, which holds that man is the sport of unjust fate, must be on the minds of impresarios everywhere when opening night emergencies befall. So it was at the Lyric Opera’s gala opener Oct. 6, when the Iago of Verdi’s “Otello,” Falk Struckmann, made it only through Act 1. Valiant standby Todd Thomas made the save. The Lyric announced that Struckmann will sing Oct. 9. ★★★
Russian soprano’s venomous Lady Macbeth sets tone in Chicago Symphony’s Verdi thriller
![Russian soprano’s venomous Lady Macbeth sets tone in Chicago Symphony’s Verdi thriller Dramatic coloratura soprano Tatiana Serjan as Lady Macbeth with Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Sept. 28, 2013 (© Todd Rosenberg)](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Tatiana-Serjan-dramatic-coloratura-soprano-Todd-Rosenberg-125x125.jpg)
Review: Tatiana Serjan is a flat-out thrilling soprano who exudes the temperament of a lioness. She is a Lady Macbeth in her early prime. There isn’t a better place to be this week than Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, where the Russian-born Serjan sings in Verdi’s “Macbeth” under ideal conditions — in concert with other emerging opera stars and the superb forces of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under Riccardo Muti. ★★★★★
Muddling the stakes, Chicago Opera Theater drives one through the heart of Verdi’s ‘Joan’
![Muddling the stakes, Chicago Opera Theater drives one through the heart of Verdi’s ‘Joan’ Joan of Arc struggles with the devil's emissaries in Verdi's 'Giovanna d'Arco' Chicago Opera Theater 2013 (Liz Lauren)](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Joan-of-Arc-struggles-with-the-devils-emissaries-in-Verdis-Giovanna-dArco-Chicago-Opera-Theater-2013-Liz-Lauren-125x125.jpg)
Review: Does the middling label “lesser,” in the habitually repeated rankings of Verdi operas, give presenters a green light to “fix” things that may not be broken? Stage director David Schweizer fell into that trap with the Chicago Opera Theater production of “Giovanna d’Arco.” From a musical standpoint, Verdi’s Joan of Arc opera was a stunning achievement by the 31-year-old composer. COT conductor Francesco Milioto got that. Schweizer, not so much. ★★
In Verdi’s rarely staged ‘Giovanna d’Arco,’ director sees image of modern fanaticism
![In Verdi’s rarely staged ‘Giovanna d’Arco,’ director sees image of modern fanaticism Joan of Arc, ca.1450-1500, oil on canvas, Centre Historique des Archives Nationales, Paris](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Joan-of-Arc-ca.1450-1500-oil-on-canvas-Centre-Historique-des-Archives-Nationales-Paris-125x125.jpg)
Preview: Chicago Opera Theater jumps into the Verdi bicentennial observance this weekend with its season opener, a relatively rare staging of the composer’s early “Giovanna d’Arco.” The stage has not generously embraced this odd riff on Joan of Arc’s life – and death. “It’s one of history’s most extraordinary, mind-bending true stories,” says stage director David Schweizer, “and the audience knows that. But the work is filled with rapturous music.”
Riccardo Muti turns spotlight on CSO Chorus with lustrous account of Verdi ‘Sacred Pieces’
![Riccardo Muti turns spotlight on CSO Chorus with lustrous account of Verdi ‘Sacred Pieces’ Mezzo-soprano-Alisa-Kolosova-with-the-Chicago-Sympohny-Orchestra-and-music-director-Riccardo-Muti-credit-Todd-Rosenberg.j](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Mezzo-soprano-Alisa-Kolosova-with-the-Chicago-Sympohny-Orchestra-and-music-director-Riccardo-Muti-credit-Todd-Rosenberg-125x125.jpg)
Review: Riccardo Muti, winding up his third season as music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this weekend, led the orchestra and Chicago Symphony Chorus on a spiritual voyage Thursday night, from luminous Mozart and rapturous Vivaldi to a transcendental peak in Verdi’s glorious “Four Sacred Pieces.” Performances continue through Sunday. ★★★★★
2013 Summer Season: Ravinia will come out swinging with jazz tribute to Benny Goodman
![2013 Summer Season: Ravinia will come out swinging with jazz tribute to Benny Goodman Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia Festival James Conlon conducting summer 2012](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Chicago-Symphony-Orchestra-at-Ravinia-Festival-James-Conlon-conducting-summer-2012-125x125.jpg)
Ravinia Festival Best Bets: If you want to branch out a bit musically, the summertime Ravinia Festival in Highland Park is a good place for it. There, classical music lovers sample niche-expanding novelties of the sort that gave Brooklyn Academy of Music its must-see reputation. College students picnic on the lawn for free when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs. And family friendly movie prices rule for recitals featuring the latest contest winners and stars on the rise.
CSO, Muti plan tributes to Verdi and Schubert in 2013-14 season, with two world premieres
![CSO, Muti plan tributes to Verdi and Schubert in 2013-14 season, with two world premieres Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti takes a bow with the CSO credit Todd Rosenberg](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Chicago-Symphony-music-director-Riccardo-Muti-and-musicians-of-the-CSO-credit-Todd_Rosenberg-125x125.jpg)
Report: We offer our hot picks.
Soprano Hui He takes over as Aida in Lyric’s new cast, and suddenly the chemistry bubbles
![Soprano Hui He takes over as Aida in Lyric’s new cast, and suddenly the chemistry bubbles Aida featured image Quinn Kelsey Amonasro Hui He Aida Chicago Lyric Opera DAN_7621 c. Dan Rest](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Aida-featured-image-Quinn-Kelsey-Amonasro-Hui-He-Aida-Chicago-Lyric-Opera-DAN_7621-c.-Dan-Rest-125x125.jpg)
“Aida” with four new singers. 4 stars!
‘Aida’ at the Lyric Opera: Verdi’s tragedy hits the pitches but misses some dramatic notes
![‘Aida’ at the Lyric Opera: Verdi’s tragedy hits the pitches but misses some dramatic notes Aida Chicago Lyric featured image credit Dan Rest](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Aida-Chicago-Lyric-featured-image-credit-Dan-Rest-125x125.jpg)
The Princess’ rival is her slave. 3 stars
Light the lights! Lyric Opera stirs a musical into the mix
![Light the lights! Lyric Opera stirs a musical into the mix Lyric Opera of Chicago production of "Aida"](https://chicagoontheaisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Aida-production-Lyric-Opera-e1317240944156-125x125.jpg)
Eight operas for 2011-12 include new productions of “Showboat,”Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” and Handel’s “Rinaldo.” The new season opens Saturday night with Offenbach’s “The Tales of Hoffmann.”