The reedy lyric tenor of Jonathan Johnson, now in his third year at the Ryan Center, was heard to better vocal advantage in Arturo's brief exchanges with the chorus in Act 2 of "Lucia" than in Tamino's aria "Dies Bildnis," from Mozart's "The Magic Flute." In fact, the choristers came through wonderfully throughout the program, in choral excerpts from "Carmen," "Lucia" and Mozart's "Idomeneo." Director Michael Black's stalwart Lyric Opera Chorus delivered a lively peasants' chorus from that Tchaikovsky opera. The last of these parts marked his final appearances with the company, in 2014-15.Īlthough the announced indisposition of soprano Ana Maria Martinez deprived the audience of hearing Tatiana's letter scene from "Eugene Onegin," all was decidedly not lost. Botha sang seven roles at Lyric, including three Wagner roles for which he was justly celebrated - Lohengrin, Walther (in "Die Meistersinger") and Tannhauser. General director Anthony Freud announced at the outset that the event, which was broadcast live over WFMT-FM 98.7, was being dedicated to the memory of the internationally admired South African tenor Johan Botha, who died Sept. Despite threatening skies, a crowd estimated at 10,000 turned out to cheer on the performers. The concert included selections from four of the season's eight operas, sung by leading artists from the roster, along with members of the Ryan Opera Center, accompanied by the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus under the jovial command of music director Andrew Davis. If the surprises were fewer in the rest of the program, there were enough high points to make this a satisfying 2 1/2-hour tasting menu for the fuller courses on offer during the main stage season at the Civic Opera House.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |