Lyric gets past backstage drama for spectacular debut
Last week's behind-the-scenes drama at Lyric Opera of Chicago was forgotten Saturday night when the Lyric presented its gala opening-night performance of Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata," one of the most popular and grandest of grand operas.
A tentative new contract with the American Guild of Musical Artists, or AGMA, was announced Friday, ending speculation of a possible opening-night strike by the union comprising the Lyric's chorus and dancers, along with some of the company's solo singers and production staff.
Then, later Friday, general director William Mason announced that the Lyric had terminated the contract of soprano Angela Gheorghiu, scheduled to star as Mimi in the first six performances of "La Boheme," starting Monday night. The firing, according to Mason, was because Ms. Gheorghiu had missed six of 10 rehearsals, including last Tuesday's full orchestra rehearsal, along with costume fittings.
Soprano Elaine Alvarez, already understudying the role, will take center stage for the October performances. As previously announced, Serena Farnocchia will portray Mimi in the November performances.
So, when artistic director emeritus Bruno Bartoletti officially opened the season with the national anthem, followed shortly by the plaintive prelude to "La Traviata's" first act, a sense of relief and calm came over the 3,500 in attendance. It was time for real opera, not backstage soap opera.
The Lyric also demonstrated that it can do just fine, thank you, with home-trained vocal artists, as American soprano Elizabeth Futral demonstrated Saturday with her dazzling interpretation of the opera's tragic young heroine, Violetta.
Futral, an alumna of the Lyric's Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, brought the house down with Violetta's first-act cabaletta, "Sempre libera," along with the dying courtesan's two-hanky final aria. "Addio del passato," plus the scenes with her on-again, off-again lover, Alfredo.
Portraying Alfredo for the fall performances is Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja, who made a memorable Lyric debut in this challenging role. Also standing out Saturday night was American baritone Mark Delavan as Alfredo's father, Giorgio Germont; and returning from "La Traviata's" 2002-03 production is baritone Philip Kraus as Baron Douphol, a favorite here with 21 roles since the 1990-91 season.
Unseen, but making a memorable Lyric Opera debut, was new chorus master Donald Nally. "La Traviata" has several large choral numbers, most notably the familiar drinking song, "Libiamo ne' lieti calici," in the opening scene of the opera; and the Spanish dance in the Act 2 ballroom scene. The Lyric Opera Chorus was simply spectacular.
Bartoletti, as is his custom with the staples of the Italian repertoire, was on top of his game throughout opening night, leading the Lyric Opera orchestra.
Following its fall run, "La Traviata"' will return for six additional performances in January, with Renee Fleming (Violetta) and Matthew Polenzani (Alfredo) taking over the lead roles, and Lyric Opera music director Sir Andrew Davis conducting.
"La traviata"
Where: Ardis Krainik Theatre, Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, at Madison Street, Chicago
When: Additional performances at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6, 9, 12 and 15; Jan. 11, 14, 23 and 26; 2 p.m. Oct. 3; Jan. 17 and 20
Tickets: For availability information or to order, call call (312) 332-2244, Ext. 5600, or visit www.lyricopera.org
Opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi, with libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. Sets and costumes designed by Desmond Heeley. Frank Corsaro, stage director; Donald Nally, chorus master; Sara Stewart, choreographer and ballet mistress. Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Bruno Bartoletti.