Lyric Opera Presents RIGOLETTO Review‑Transporting Talents

"It’s insane…she’s so young!...”

 “I haven’t heard a live performance better than that in the last 25 years, since I started going to concerts!...”

 “She has a recording…it’s in the program notes…I THINK I FOUND A WAY TO ORDER IT!...”

 That was the buzz at intermission. We had just heard Italian soprano Rosa Feola singing a flawless aria Gualtier Maldé! ...Caro Nome, relishing in her feelings for the newfound love of her life, actually the rakish Duke of Mantua who had pretended to be a penniless student in order to win her heart. As she sang she also projected a sexual longing that perhaps for many evoked a memory of their erotic first crush.

Lyric Opera RIGOLETTO
(left to right) Lauren Decker and Rosa Feola Photo: Andrew Cioffi
Lyric Opera RIGOLETTO
Matthew Polenzani Photo: Andrew Cioffi
Lyric Opera RIGOLETTO
Quinn Kelsey and Rosa Feola Photo: Todd Rosenberg

This was singing that truly transported as only an operatic voice can do. How amazing that this stunning feeling of experiencing perfection returned in Acts II and III— when both tenor Matthew Polenzani performing as the Duke of Mantua and baritone Quinn Kelsey as Rigoletto similarly sang. If this wasn’t a trifecta of perfection, it was darn close.

Lyric Opera stages one of Verdi's most popular operas

For those of us who can summon YouTube born recollections of Pavarotti’s voice singing La donna è mobile easily, it’s not a small feat for a tenor to pierce that ear memory, but Polenzani does and did. And, in a hindsight that was summoned in the instant when Quinn in his bows flashed his charismatic smile, we realize just how much his voice and acting were a super-magnet pulling us to the music and story in every scene.

This Verdi score—so, so beautiful and in that short list of the most popularly recognizable opera repertoire— includes a feast of opportunities for the singers talents to transport us– solos, duets (for example Rigoletto and his daughter singing Figlia, mio Padre!), and the Bella figlia dell’amore quartet in the last Act. Even the voices of relatively minor roles—notably bass Alexander Tsymbalyuk as murderer Sparafucile and mezzo-soprano Zanda Švēde as his sister Maddelena—excite that inner voice that wants to beg “Please, please do it again!” One senses the masterful baton of conductor Marco Armiliato at work throughout.

These transporting voices ARE what make this Rigoletto a top pick.

From this writer’s viewpoint, you won’t find stagecraft on par with the singing by a long stretch. These are sets that take up space, more than define it, and especially in the case of Rigoletto’s home, which feels more like its centerpiece is an industrial building’s stairwell, most of the sets are a bit distracting rather than enriching.

Not to worry though. These voices, this conductor, the never failing Lyric Chorus and Lyric Orchestra don’t need much, if any, help.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read – Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.

 

When:

7 performances thru November 3

 Where:

Lyric Opera House
20 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago

 

Tickets:

$59+

For tickets visit the Lyric Opera website or call the box office at 312-827-5600.

Photos:  Todd Rosenberg and Andrew Cioffi

Note: An excerpt of this review appears in Theatre in Chicago.

Amy Munice

About the Author: Amy Munice

Amy Munice is Editor-in-Chief and Co-Publisher of Picture This Post. She covers books, dance, film, theater, music, museums and travel. Prior to founding Picture This Post, Amy was a freelance writer and global PR specialist for decades—writing and ghostwriting thousands of articles and promotional communications on a wide range of technical and not-so-technical topics.

Amy hopes the magazine’s click-a-picture-to-read-a-vivid-account format will nourish those ever hunting for under-discovered cultural treasures. She especially loves writing articles about travel finds, showcasing works by cultural warriors of a progressive bent, and shining a light on bold, creative strokes by fledgling artists in all genres.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY AMY MUNICE.

Share this:

Make a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *