Holding out for a hero
Clémence de Grandval’s Mazeppa gets the superhero treatment in Dortmund.
Denis Velev
8 pieces since 2019 — in 6 roles, at 3 companies, most often at Lyric Opera of Chicago.
8
pieces
6
roles
3
companies
8
years
Role Archimandrite
Role Frasquita
This is the part when I break free
Following the great success of its new piece The Factotum, Lyric Opera of Chicago returned to the tried and true with the audience-pleaser Carmen in an equally tried and true 20-year old Lyric production that has stood the test of time.
Role Giannetta
The brew that is true
This is an exuberant, uplifting, and joyous Elisir, and, for once, it was actually laugh-out-loud funny.
Role Papagena
Unequal tooning
There is sensory overload, and very little humanity.
Role Sandman and Dew Fairy
Hunger games
Director Richard Jones’ well-traveled and visually arresting production of Humperdinck’s 1893 opera Hansel and Gretel has returned to Lyric Opera of Chicago after a 10-year absence.
Role Thibault
Three dimensions
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Don Carlos was a real feast of good singing and orchestral grandeur.
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).