Lyric Opera 2023-24 season: Wagner, ‘Cinderella’ and an opera about a boxer
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Chicago’s Lyric Opera announced the company’s 2023-24 season Tuesday, billing the extensive slate as a “global tour of opera featuring a richly curated slate of musical events in six different languages.”
At a press event, general director Anthony Freud said the new season keeps opera’s “main pillars front and center” while also offering “fresh contemporary perspectives.” He also said more commissioned operas are in Lyric’s future and that Lyric was thinking more outside of the traditional subscription model and seeing its productions as “a series of activities,” often grouping traditional staging with contrasting contemporary operas and aimed at pleasing traditional audiences while also attracting newcomers.
The renowned institution’s 69th season, which has one less production than the 68th, opens with Richard Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” (Sept. 23 to Oct. 7), conducted by music director Enrique Mazzola, who will lead his first Wagner opera at Lyric. Directed by Christopher Alden, the production stars Tomasz Konieczny in the title role, Tamara Wilson as Senta and Robert Watson in his Lyric debut as Erik.
The season continues with Gaetano Donizetti’s comedic “The Daughter of the Regiment” (Nov. 4-25), featuring Lawrence Brownlee as Tonio and the Lyric debut of Lisette Oropesa as Marie. The Laurent Pelly production is directed by Christian Räth and conducted by Speranza Scappucci, both making their Lyric debuts.
In repertory with that production will be Leos Janáček’s “Jenůfa” (Nov. 12-26), starring soprano Lise Davidsen in the title role and Nina Stemme as the Kostelnička. The production will be conducted by Jakub Hrůša, music director designate of London’s Royal Opera House, and is to be directed by Claus Guth. Both will be making their Lyric debuts.
Rossini’s “Cinderella” (Jan. 21 to Feb. 10, 2024) will feature the Lyric debut of Vasilisa Berzhanskaya as Angelina and Jack Swanson as Ramiro, alongside Alessandro Corbelli as Don Magnifico and Joshua Hopkins as Dandini. Conductor Yi-Chen Lin will make her Lyric debut, with Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s production to be restaged by Crystal Manich, also in her Lyric debut.
In repertory with Cinderella will be “Champion” (Jan. 27 to Feb. 11, 2024) by Terence Blanchard (“Fire Shut Up in My Bones”) and librettist Michael Cristofer. The show is about the true story of Emile Griffith, a professional boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands who in 1962 threw a fatal punch in the boxing ring after his opponent taunted him about his sexuality. Eric Owens will play the older Emile, while Justin Austin will play Young Emile. Whitney Morrison will play Emelda Griffith, Emile’s mother. Mazzola will conduct a coproduction with the Metropolitan Opera, directed by James Robinson.
Cristofer also wrote the play “Man in the Ring” about Griffith, which had its world premiere at Chicago’s Court Theatre in 2016.
Lyric’s season continues with Francesca Zambello’s production of Verdi’s famed “Aida” (March 9 to April 7, 2024), conducted by Mazzola and starring Michelle Bradley and Russell Thomas, both of whom appeared in last season’s “Tosca.” Jamie Barton plays Amneris. The production will feature contemporary designs by RETNA, also a muralist, and it will be choreographed by Jessica Lang.
During that run, Mazzola also will lead two performances of Mozart’s “Requiem” (March 22-24) featuring the Lyric Opera Chorus and Orchestra and soloists to be announced. And Broadway star Audra McDonald will sing at the Lyric’s Season Opening Gala on Oct 6. A spring musical for 2024 is expected but has yet to be announced.
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.
