Damnation from the Lyric Opera

COMMANDOpera finds this production seriously SERIOUSLY cool.  The Lyric Opera of Chicago will begin its run of a NEW production of Hector Berlioz’ The Damnation of Faust on the evening of Saturday February 20 at 7:30 P.M. The tournee is for 7 performances with tickets still available for all evenings, though some are now close to sold out…. in other words buy now. All performances are under the baton of the internationally celebrated British conductor Sir Andrew Davis. The good citizens of Chicago will know this to be the 35 th assignment the august conductor has accepted with the Lyric Opera.

 
There are three stunning debuts with this production which reads like a whose who in their respective disciplines. The acclaimed English director Mr. Stephen Langridge who directed the recent and highly rated ’The Minotaur’ at the Royal Opera House. The Cypriot Set and Costume Designer Mr. Georges Souglides whose production of Adams ’A Flowering Tree’ for the Carlo Felice, Chicagoans saw in 2008. The distinguished German Lighting Designer, Mr. Wolfgang Gobbel is regarded as the very pinnacle in his field of expertise. Projection Designer Mr. John Boesche returns for his fifth production.

 
The all American vocal talent includes Louisiana tenor Mr. Paul Groves as Faust, mezzo soprano Miss Susan Graham will essay the role of Marguerite, bass baritone Mr. John Relyea makes his Lyric Opera debut as Mephistopheles, with bass baritone Mr. Christian Van Horn rounding out the cast as Bander. Noting the cast is American in breeding, these are stars who enjoy extremely active international careers, which is always a pleasance when they appear on home boards.   

In the excellent tradition of The Lyric Opera of Chicago, the opening night will be broadcast LIVE courtesy of the Bucksbaum Family. COMMANDOpera wishes to personally thank the Bucksbaum family for starting the tradition, the Crown family, and Richard and Susan Kiphart who match funds to keep this critical venue of opera performances alive. The linking page to all the broadcasts can be found here. For the international audience which includes COMMANDOpera, a simultaneous Internet stream will be found here.

The COMMANDOpera calendar is exceptionally engaged, however the possibility to review the opening night event next Saturday may prove to great to miss. The performance of L’elisir D’amore live blogged and reviewed here was a great deal of fun to do… if a great deal of work.

All of the photographs are to the credit of Dan Rest, and appear courtesy of the Lyric Opera.