Lyric Opera Presents STARS OF THE LYRIC OPERA AT MILLENNIUM PARK Review- -Swelling Emotions

Posted on by Amy Munice

This is a FREE annual event in Chicago.   Look for this same event next year. 

Lyric Opera STARS OF THE LYRIC OPERA
American baritone Zachary Nelson is the first Lyric Star to sing an aria

It seems that the Lyric’s ability to swell our emotions is limitless…

Chicago came out in full force to enjoy one of the last outdoor concerts in Millennium Park—from the 10+/- year-old in wheel-heeled sneakers, to the walker-assisted, and all in between.

Verdi, Puccini, Mozart and more—these were some of the more recognizable of opera’s greatest hits, this year brought to us under the baton of energetic Venezuelan conductor Domingo Hindoyan.

It was two deep throated spurned men –cuckholds actually—characters created by Verdi, and sung by baritone Zachary Nelson and bass Adrian Sâmpetrean that first got us in the mood.

We read the libretto from the giant screen above mixing with the swelling music telling of how they crave vengeance and then lament their loss of so sweet times before. What a perfect choice for openers, reminding that this is opera, where no emotions are ever small.

Lyric Opera STARS OF THE LYRIC OPERA
Mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges, a last minute substitute, caused the crowd to erupt in "BRAVA"s

Lyric Opera Regales with Glamorous Diva Power

Then glamour strode on to the stage—in the person of J’Nai Bridges garbed in a luxurious turquoise high-fashion gown, whom we learned was an 11th hour substitution. Really? Singing from Saint-Saëns Samson et Dalila with regal bearing and voice, she smiled to the chorus of “BRAVA” coming at her conclusion.

How soothing and stirring at once to then hear “O mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s actually more comic opera Gianni Schicchi, that for many in the audience probably transported to them to treasured Starlight Serenade memories. Better yet, this serenade came from charismatic red-clad diva Danielle De Niese whose waves to the crowd and later embodiment of flirtatious Musetta of Puccini’s La Bohème suggested that Millennium Park was right-sized for her. One wonders if perhaps the grand Lyric Opera house might be a tad tiny for her outgoing person.

Lyric Opera STARS OF THE LYRIC OPERA
Soprano Danielle de Niese came on to the stage waving and smiling to the Pritzker Pavilion crowd, and then began singing a song so beautiful it makes it difficult to register that she is threatening her father with suicide

Following came three teasers from the upcoming season: the Lyric Opera Chorus singing the very familiar Anvil Chorus that is an opening scene of Verdi’s ll Trovatore’s Act II; soprano Ann Toomey and the Chorus singing from Mozart’s Idomeneo, and last, the opera world’s best-known drinking song from Verdi’s La traviata, where Alfredo (sung by Mario Rojas) gives a rousing toast to Violetta’s beauty. Whitney Morrison who sparkled as she sang Violetta’s role seemed to happily quake and vibrate with joy during her bow, giving us a mirror on how exciting we, the crowd ,were to her.

Lyric Opera STARS OF THE LYRIC OPERA
Whitney Morrison and Mario Rojas sing a famed duet from Verdi's La traviata, after which a beaming Morrison lingers to appreciate the crowd's enthusiasm
Lyric Opera STARS OF THE LYRIC OPERA
Maria Agresta sings Mimi and Michael Fabiano sings Rodolfo from La Bohème

Then, we all enjoyed an audio hors d’oeuvre of the season opener, La Bohème, and to be the first Chicagoans to see famed Michael Fabiano as Rodolfo and Maria Agresta as Mimi perform one of the world’s most melodious recounts of love at first sight, followed by the complete Act II.

It’s a ritual. It’s annual. It’s a guarantee for walking-on-air bounce at the concert’s conclusion and reminder of the role that Lyric Opera plays in defining Chicago as a global cultural leader.

If you missed the concert you also missed the discount code for tickets that they share with attendees every year. This is yet another reason to make a mental note for next year.

You can still get tickets though for the season or individual operas. Visit the Lyric Opera website.

All photos: Todd Rosenberg

Performers:

LYRIC OPERA ORCHESTRA, LYRIC OPERA CHORUS, CHICAGO CHILDREN’S CHOIR

DOMINGO HINDOYAN, Conductor

MICHAEL BLACK, Chorus Master

JOSEPHINE LEE, Children’s Chorus Master

Lyric Opera Stars: ZACHARY NELSON, ADRIAN SÂMPETREAN, J’NAI BRIDGES, DANIELLE de NIESE, ANN TOOMEY, MARIO ROJAS, WHITNEY MORRISON, 
MICHAEL FABIANO, MARIA AGRESTA, RICARDO JOSÉ RIVERA, ADRIAN SÂMPETREAN,ZACHARY NELSON ,MARIO ROJAS, JAKE GARDNER,

 

 

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.

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