Davidsen and Stemme anchor an extraordinary Jenůfa in Chicago

Lise Davidsen (Jenůfa) and Nina Stemme (Kostelnička)

Jenůfa, Act 2

Pavel Černoch (Laca) and Lise Davidsen (Jenůfa)

Nina Stemme (Kostelnička)

Lise Davidsen (Jenůfa), Richard Trey Smagur (Števa) and chorus

By Cameron Kelsall, 12 November 2023

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“vocally, the dimensions of Janáček’s score suit Davidsen like a glove”

Reviewed at Lyric Opera House, Chicago on 12 November 2023

Janáček, Jenůfa

Lyric Opera of Chicago

Jakub Hrůša, Conductor

Claus Guth, Director

Michael Levine, Set Designer

Gesine Völlm, Costume Designer

James Farncombe, Lighting Designer

Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra

Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus

rocafilm, Video

Axel Weidauer, Revival Director

Lise Davidsen, Jenůfa

Nina Stemme, Kostelnička

Pavel Černoch, Laca Klemeň

Richard Trey Smagur, Števa Buryja

Marianne Cornetti, Grandmother Buryjovka

Lindsey Reynolds, Barena

Kathryn Henry, Jano

Lucy Baker, Karolka

Wayne Tigges, Mayor

Katherine DeYoung, Mayor's wife

Sophia Maekawa, Pastuchyňa

Laureano Quant, Stárek, Mill foreman

Teresa Rotemberg, Choreography

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera brings Spanish to the Lyric Opera

Graham Meyer, 29th March

The Lyric Opera of Chicago's presentation of El último sueño de Frida y Diego brings the Mexican artists to life... or at least a life reminiscent of their real ones.

****1

Sir David McVicar’s psychologically driven Salome arrives in Chicago

Graham Meyer, 25th January

Revived at Lyric Opera of Chicago, the notorious opera director’s take stirs sympathy for Salome, but leans on some of his theatrical hobby-horses

****1

Missy Mazzoli’s The Listeners takes its Chicago bow

Graham Meyer, 2nd April

Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Missy Mazzoli's opera, which the company co-commissioned, has strong, dramatic, expressive music throughout, but the story lacks continuity.

**111

A light Marriage of Figaro makes the case for fun in Chicago

Graham Meyer, 9th November

Lyric Opera of Chicago revives its diverting and divisive 2015 original production by Barbara Gaines, who does it like a Shakespearean sex farce.

****1

Rigoletto cast dazzles in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s season opener

Graham Meyer, 14th September

Through brilliant singing and layered acting, Javier Camarena, Mané Galoyan, and Igor Golovatenko drive a Rigoletto to warm a traditionalist's heart.

****1

A vibrant, urgent Ariodante at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Katherine Syer, 2nd March

A revival of Richard Jones’ production of Handel’s emotionally probing opera.

*****

More reviews...

Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall is a classical music critic and cultural reporter. He has written for Bachtrack since 2019, and his byline has appeared in many national and international classical music publications. Based in Philadelphia, he regularly travels around the United States for musical events. In addition to his career in journalism, Cameron also teaches in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a certified sommelier and avid home cook. His favorite composer is Mahler. Twitter: @CameronPKelsall.

Davidsen and Stemme anchor an extraordinary Jenůfa at Lyric Opera of Chicago