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

Peter Kellner (Fiagro) and Ying Fang (Susanna)

Kayleigh Decker (Cherubino) and Ying Fang (Susanna)

Ying Fang (Susanna)

Federica Lombardi (Countess) and Ying Fang (Susanna)

Brenton Ryan (Don Basilio), Peter Kellner (Figaro) and Nicholas Newton (Dr Bartolo)

By Graham Meyer, 11 November 2024

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“Lombardi stopped time with her sorrow and languor”

Reviewed at Lyric Opera House, Chicago on 9 November 2024

Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)

Lyric Opera of Chicago

Erina Yashima, Conductor

Barbara Gaines, Director

James Noone, Set Designer

Susan Mickey, Costume Designer

Robert Wierzel, Lighting Designer

Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra

Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus

Gordon Bintner, Count Almaviva

Federica Lombardi, Countess Almaviva

Peter Kellner, Figaro

Ying Fang, Susanna

Kayleigh Decker, Cherubino

Nicholas Newton, Doctor Bartolo

Brenton Ryan, Don Basilio

Daniel Espinal, Don Curzio

Gemma Nha, Barbarina

Harrison McEldowney, 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

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

Davidsen and Stemme anchor an extraordinary Jenůfa in Chicago

Cameron Kelsall, 12th November

Claus Guth's production foregrounds the regimented, repressive world that drives the plot of Janáček’s tragic masterpiece.

*****

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.

*****

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Graham Meyer

Graham is a Chicago-based arts and culture journalist, covering all forms of live performance, and specializing in classical music. His work has appeared extensively in Chicago magazine and Crain’s Chicago Business, as well as in The Chicago Tribune and at Chicago Classical Review. He has also covered dining and restaurants, winning a City and Regional Magazine Award for the restaurant newsletter Dish. Semi-professionally, he sings baritone in the choir Vox Venti, plays amateur piano, and composes music, especially choral. Apart from music, he constructs crossword puzzles and plays competitive bridge with his teenage daughter.

Focus on farce: a light Marriage of Figaro makes the case for fun in Chicago