Tune In: Lyric Opera of Chicago announces world premiere on Feb 28
Lyric Opera of Chicago will reveal details of its world-premiere commission for the 2015-16 season on Tuesday, February 28 at noon CST at the Civic Opera House in Chicago. Live audio of the press conference will be streamed by classical radio station 98.7WFMT on wfmt.com and Lyric’s website (lyricopera.org). Joining Lyric’s general director Anthony Freud at the press event will be music director Sir Andrew Davis and creative consultant Renée Fleming, and the composer, librettist, and stage director of the new opera.
Members of the media community not in attendance may submit questions via email during the press conference: [email protected] or Twitter with the hashtag #lyricpress.
This new commission is part of Lyric’s Renée Fleming Initiative, which also involves expanded educational engagement projects with Chicago’s Merit School of Music and other organizations; and an innovative visibility campaign in collaboration with a major Chicago advertising agency. The commission is the first for Lyric’s main stage since 2004’s A Wedding by William Bolcom.
What: Announcement of Lyric’s world-premiere commission for the 2015-16 season
When: February 28, noon CST
Where: Civic Opera House, Rice Grand Foyer, Chicago
Who: Anthony Freud, Sir Andrew Davis, Renée Fleming, and the composer, librettist and stage director for the new commission
Tune in: Live audio stream of the event on www.lyricopera.org and www.wfmt.com
RSVP:
Members of the media community who would like to attend the press conference in person should contact Jack Zimmerman no later than February 24: [email protected]; 312-827-5925.
Media attendees of the press conference in Chicago will also have the opportunity to see two new Lyric productions: Jerome Kern’s Show Boat on February 28 and the opening of Handel’s Rinaldo on February 29.
Show Boat is directed by Francesca Zambello. Nathan Gunn stars as Ravenal opposite Broadway star Ashley Brown as Magnolia. Alyson Cambridge is Julie; Angela Renée Simpson and Morris Robinson are making their Lyric debuts as Queenie and Joe respectively. Show Boat runs through March 17.
Rinaldo is receiving its company stage premiere, starring David Daniels in the title role. The cast includes Luca Pisaroni in his Lyric debut as Argante; also debuting are Julia Kleiter, Elza van den Heever, Sonia Prina, and Iestyn Davies. Francisco Negrin is the stage director and Harry Bicket conducts. Marilyn Horne sang Lyric’s only previous presentation of Rinaldo in a 1984 concert performance. Rinaldo runs through March 24.
About Lyric Opera of Chicago
Founded in 1954, Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the world’s great opera companies, renowned internationally for its artistic excellence and financial strength. In October 2011 Lyric entered a new era of leadership under incoming general director Anthony Freud. The company’s artistic team also includes music director Sir Andrew Davis and creative consultant Renée Fleming.
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© 21C Media Group, February 2012
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