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L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O
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February 22 - March 19, 2016
Of all subjects that opera composers and librettists have taken on over the centuries, love is the most prevalent and the most cherished
by audiences everywhere. Love in all its aspects presents operatic creators with every possibility for drama as well as for lyrical
expression, encompassing every shade of emotion.
For many, Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet
, written well over 400 years ago, remains the most romantic story ever written.
Of all love stories in literary history, it’s surely this one that has awakened more people to the joys – and, of course, the sorrows –
of young love. Take the magic of the play, add to it Charles Gounod’s breathtaking
music, and you have a rapturously beautiful event in the opera house. I truly believe
that if you haven’t seen Gounod’s opera, you haven’t yet experienced the full impact
of this unforgettable tale. Like Vincenzo Bellini before him with
I Capuleti e i
Montecchi
, Leonard Bernstein after him with
West Side Story
, and countless other
composers, Gounod was powerless to resist the attraction of the ultimate star-crossed
lovers. The musical highlights of his opera are unforgettable, including no fewer than
four glorious duets for the youthful hero and heroine.
We’re presenting
Romeo and Juliet
in an exceptionally exciting production.
It’s directed by Bartlett Sher, long celebrated for his achievements in theater and
musicals, who has in recent years achieved great distinction in opera. I saw his
production a few years ago at the Salzburg Festival and fell in love with it. Since
then, it’s been triumphantly received at La Scala. Michael Yeargan’s imposing sets
and Catherine Zuber’s lavish costumes contribute to the production’s achievement
in capturing the essence of Shakespeare’s original story.
If ever an opera required a special chemistry between its two leading artists,
it’s this one. That chemistry will be evident onstage at Lyric in our marvelous cast.
Returning to the company is a great favorite of our audiences, Ryan Opera Center
alumna Susanna Phillips. Her tenure in the program actually included a highly
successful last-minute substitution as Juliet on the Lyric stage. Since then she has
gone on to star at the Metropolitan Opera and many other major companies.
Sharing the role of Romeo are two of today’s most eminent tenors, Joseph Calleja and Eric Cutler. Joseph is returning
to us for his first French role at Lyric, after great successes as tenor heroes of Verdi and Puccini. Eric has already exhibited
his prowess in French opera at Lyric with his marvelous portrayal of Nadir in Bizet’s
The Pearl Fishers.
I’m delighted that this quintessentially French opera will be led by one of today’s most remarkable French conductors,
Emmanuel Villaume, music director of The Dallas Opera, who has led many Lyric performances. The innate stylistic flair
of his music-making, combined with his sense of elegance and romance, is always a joy and will add immeasurably to this opera
in its eagerly awaited return to our stage.
Anthony Freud
From the General Director
STEVE LEONARD