#LYRIC OPERA CHICAGO LUCIA 2017 SERIES#

The acclaimed American conductor’s career spans over four decades and associations with operatic venues both domestically and internationally. This was one of the several moments in the opera in which the music hit one’s soul dead on.The company is experiencing amazing trajectory since its founding in 2014, explains Maestro Salemno. Audiences have learned to always expect greatness from this tenor, but his pianissimo upper register deserves a special note of admiration very few would call these passages comfortable, but Polenzani rounded off every phrase masterfully as his voice melted into the orchestra. Nadir’s stratospheric tessitura in the Act I aria “Je crois entendre encore” was a thing of beauty in Polenzani’s hands. Playing Nadir was Evanston native Matthew Polenzani, whom audiences had the opportunity to see on stage as the Duke of Mantua in Lyric’s Rigoletto earlier this season. The applause must have lifted Mariusz’s spirits, for his vocal strength seemed to swell in Act III his lower register was louder, and not a single note gave even a hint of stress or strain. Freud said that Mariusz would continue with the performance despite his health. In typical Chicago fashion, the audience cheered on the baritone in a gesture of love and support when Mr.

Prior to the beginning of the third act, we learned from Lyric Opera of Chicago General Director Anthony Freud that Mariusz wasn’t feeling well, so he asked the audience for understanding. Playing Zurga, Polish Baritone Mariusz Kwiecień warmly embraced the audience with his solid, inviting, and velvety tone. The vocal performances in all of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s productions this season have been extraordinary, and those in The Pearl Fishers were no exception. Lyric Opera of Chicago’s The Pearl Fishers – Vocal Performances All the characters connected to religion wear a beautiful silky orange, while other villagers wear blue, perhaps to connect them to the water that plays such an important role in their lives.

One of the first things audience members will notice is the colorful sets and costumes, designed by Zandra Rhodes. The Pearl Fishers at Lyric Opera of Chicago The story and libretto are rather mediocre, but the 24-year-old Bizet set the text to exquisite music. The two lovers are scheduled to be executed for their transgressions, but Zurga saves them when he distracts the villagers by setting the town on fire, thereby sealing his own fate. Ultimately Nadir succumbs to his longing for Leïla, and the priestess falls in love with him as well. Zurga and Nadir have pledged allegiance to one another, promising to honor their friendship and forgo their amorous pursuit of the mysterious Leïla. The fourth solo role in the opera is Nourabad, the high priest who guides and instructs Leïla.

#LYRIC OPERA CHICAGO LUCIA 2017 SERIES#

The story takes place in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in ancient times (Lyric’s production sets the story in the 19th century), and tells of a love triangle among Zurga, the man elected leader of the pearl fishers, Nadir, Zurga’s friend who recently returned from a series of grand adventures, and Leïla, the priestess whom both men have fallen in love with. One notable exception was the critic Hector Berlioz, who wrote that the opera was “full of fire” and commented on the great number of extremely beautiful musical moments. Lyric Opera of Chicago’s The Pearl Fishers – Opera History and Storyįirst performed at the Théâtre-Lyrique in Paris on September 30, 1863, Georges Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers ( Les Pêcheurs de Perles) was immensely popular with audiences, but much less so with critics. There were no weak links in this Lyric production: the phenomenal vocal performances struck emotional chords again and again Zandra Rhodes vibrant sets and costumes charmed the eye and the orchestral colors from Sir Andrew Davis’ treatment of Bizet’s wonderful instrumentation were a delight to the ear.

It’s one of those infectious earworms that elicits a raw sentimental response, hitting you in the gut and bringing tears to your eyes. I left the Lyric Opera House humming “Au fond du temple saint” after watching Lyric Opera of Chicago’s The Pearl Fishers, and I woke up the next morning to find that the tune was still in my head. Opera Sense recommended recordings of The Pearl Fishers:

Lyric opera chicago lucia 2017