Opera on WRTI

When it comes to romances that tear at the heartstrings, this one ranks among the best. Goethe’s novel on which it’s based made him the toast of Europe. And Jules Massenet’s emotionally vivid music - sometimes grandiose, sometimes achingly fragile - brilliantly illuminates the complex psychology of its troubled protagonists.

Get ready for a dynamic season of opera broadcasts from the world-renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago. The lineup includes La boheme, Elektra, Hansel & Gretel, Rigoletto, Oklahoma! and more. This Saturday, May 18th, it's Giuseppe Verdi's SIMON BOCCANEGRA from 1 to 4 pm featuring baritone Thomas Hamspon in the title role. Sir Andrew Davis conducts.

Poulenc’s masterpiece makes a rare return to the repertory with a fine cast led by Patricia Racette, Felicity Palmer, and Isabel Leonard. Louis Langrée conducts this dramatic work with one of the most haunting final moments in opera. Saturday, May 4, *11:30 am to 3 pm (*note early start time).

Francis Poulenc: Dialogues des Carmelites

Synopsis

Cast:

Conductor: Louis Langrée
Blanche de la Force: Isabel Leonard
Mme Lidoine: Patricia Racette
Constance: Erin Morley
Mère Marie: Elizabeth Bishop
First Prioress: Felicity Palmer
Chevalier de la Force: Paul Appleby

Join us for the third installment of Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen," on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth. Jay Hunter Morris reprises his acclaimed portrayal of the title hero, Deborah Voigt sings Brünnhilde, Mark Delavan is the Wanderer, and Eric Owens sings Alberich. Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi is on the podium. Saturday, April 20, *11 am to 5 pm (*note early start time).

Synopsis

Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen is back for three complete cycles in spring 2013, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth. In this second installment, the focus of the story shifts from the realm of the gods to the human world. Deborah Voigt sings Brünnhilde and Mark Delavan sings Wotan. Stephanie Blythe, Martina Serafin, Simon O'Neill, and Hans-Peter König also star. Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi is on the podium. Join us on Saturday, April 13th, *11 am to 4:30 pm. *Note early start time.

Cast:

Wagner's Ring Cycle is back on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth. In the epic's first installment, the theft of the Rhinegold and Alberich's curse set in motion the tragic events that will lead to the downfall of the gods. Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads an extraordinary cast that includes Stephanie Blythe, Stefan Margita, and Mark Delavan as Wotan. Saturday, April 6, 1 to 3:30 pm.

The Opera: In Focus

Soprano Diana Damrau tackles Verdi’s eternal heroine for the first time anywhere in Willy Decker’s inspiring production. Plácido Domingo expands his repertoire to sing the baritone role of Germont, Violetta’s tormentor. Tenor Saimir Pirgu sings Alfredo, her naïve lover. Our very own Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts! Saturday, March 30, *12:30 to 3:15 pm. (*Note early start time.)

Cast:

Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Violetta Valéry: Diana Damrau
Alfredo Germont: Saimir Pirgu
Giorgio Germont: Plácido Domingo

Verdi's sprawling, moving drama, LA FORZA DEL DESTINO, chronicles a noble family destroyed by powers beyond their control. In this classic performance, James Levine conducts a legendary cast, with Leontyne Price and Placido Domingo as the ill-fated overs. Archival performance from 1977, Saturday, March 23, 1 to 4 pm.

Cast:
Leonora: Leontyne Price
Freziosilla: Rosalind Elias
Don Alvaro: Placido Domingo
Don Carlo: Cornell MacNeil
Fra Meutone: Renato Capecchi
Padre Guardiano: Martti Talvela