My Fair Lady

18 / 68

L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O
16 | April - May, 2017
John Frame, is known as one of his
generation’s most innovative sculptors.
This quintessentially French opera will
have a French conductor at the helm,
Emmanuel Villaume, and onstage will be
a remarkably gifted young French tenor,
Benjamin Bernheim (title role). He’ll
partner two Ryan Opera Center alumni
who both enjoy spectacular international
careers, Erin Wall (Marguerite) and
Christian Van Horn (Méphistophélès).
Beyond the season’s eight mainstage
operas, there are special events to make
the Lyric season even more varied and
exciting.
“Up to now in our musical-theater
productions we’ve concentrated on
American classics,” notes Freud, “but
in 2017/18, for the first time, we’re
producing an iconic rock opera, one
that suits a big theater – Jesus Christ
Superstar.” In director Timothy Sheader’s
new production adapted from London’s
Regent’s Park Open-Air Theatre, “our
audience will be reminded that this is a
truly unforgettable piece. When it arrived
in America in 1972, it became one of the
greatest successes in Broadway history, and
it’s been enthralling audiences everywhere
ever since.”
A Lyric Unlimited project at the
Athenaeum Theatre will give Chicago
audiences the opportunity to experience
one of the most acclaimed new American
works of recent years. “I heard Gregory
Spears’s chamber opera Fellow Travelers
deeply poignant one-act opera Trouble in
Tahiti, will be followed by a selection of
beloved gems from the Bernstein vocal
catalog. Don’t miss this glorious, one-
night-only tribute to an American icon.
Any solo recital at Lyric is always
a thrilling occasion, and next season
will be no exception when the company
welcomes Polish tenor Piotr Beczała on
February 25. “Piotr is sought after by
all the major opera houses,” says Freud,
“and his artistry is one of the great joys
of the international vocal scene. He won
innumerable new Chicago fans with his
Lyric debut in Faust eight years ago, and
he was a magnificent Edgardo in Lucia
earlier this season. I couldn’t be more
delighted that we’ll highlight his gifts as a
recitalist on the Lyric stage.”
In creating the 2017/18 season,
Anthony Freud and Sir Andrew Davis
recognize that, in Freud’s words, “there
has never been a more challenging – or
a more exciting – time to be part of
the Chicago artistic community. I’m so
proud of what Lyric is achieving, season
after season. All of us in this company are
part of a great legacy. We’re committed
to honoring our past, celebrating our
present, and nurturing our company in
ways that ensure a vibrant and meaningful
future. We welcome every member of our
audience to be part of the journey.”
Learn more about next season at
.
Roger Pines, Lyric’s dramaturg and broadcast
co-host, contributes writing regularly to
opera-related publications and recording
companies internationally.
Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open-Air Theatre
in its Cincinnati world premiere and
was enormously impressed,” says Freud.
This is a story of 1950s Washington; in
the politically highly charged atmosphere
of the crusade against communism,
an idealistic young man becomes
romantically involved with a handsome
State Department official. Forbidden love,
political corruption, unexpected betrayal
– it’s all part of this riveting and moving
work that The New York Times praised as
“a near-perfect example of fast-flowing
musical drama.” Kevin Newbury will be
reprising his world-premiere production,
in which, said Opera News, “Fellow
Travelers’ delicacy came through in full,
and so did its emotional wallop.”
Whether on Broadway or with
orchestras, Leonard Bernstein personified
20th-century American music. Lyric will
commemorate his 100th birthday on
March 10 with Celebrating 100 Years
of Bernstein. David Chase will conduct
and renowned artists will be participating
onstage. Bernstein’s bitingly funny and
DAVID JENSEN/REGENT’S PARK OPEN-AIR THEATRE
Leonard Bernstein’s
100th birthday
will be celebrated
with a special
concert.
Polish tenor Piotr Beczała
(pictured as Edgardo
in this season’s Lucia
di Lammermoor)
returns to Lyric
in a solo recital.
JACK MITCHELL
TODD ROSENBERG