Tag Archives: Russell Thomas

    Passionate operatic pairing Lyric Opera of Chicago will present Pietro Mascagni’s “Cavalleria rusticana” and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” from Nov. 1-23. This pair of passionate one-act operas explores the depths of spurned lovers’ grief and the lengths they’ll go to avenge betrayal. Deadly love triangles unfold against starkly contrasted backdrops of the Sicilian countryside and a Calabrian village. Music Director Enrique Mazzola will lead a world-class cast that includes Lyric favorites Russell Thomas, Quinn Kelsey and Gabriella Reyes in an original production mounted by Australian opera, theater and television director Elijah Moshinsky. For more, click here. Italian pop phenom …

I’m very happy to report that the Lyric production of “Norma” is by far the strongest musically that I’ve witnessed thus far in the 2016-17 season. One would be hard pressed to think of any other contemporary singers who could do any better in the four major roles, especially that of Norma, than those who took the stage at the Civic Opera House. The chorus was also outstanding, and the fine Lyric orchestra turned in yet another solid performance. Bellini was not the creative orchestrator as were the other Italian masters of opera. His instrumental accompaniments are relatively simple, and …