Sunday, September 7, was a memorable evening. The Corn Moon waxed full, hung in the clear over the lake. The temperature was cool with a nip of autumn to come. The best way to spend such an evening is at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, listening to artists from the prestigious Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center. Sunday in the Park with Lyric was a preview of the 2025-26 Lyric Opera season. It was also a preview of the tremendous talent emerging from the prestigious Ryan Center program. Maestro Enrique Mazzola led the Lyric Orchestra and generously shared the podium with Chi-Yuan Lin, a conductor from the Ryan Center program.
Features from Georges Bizet's Carmen bookended the program. First was a scene from Carmen danced by members of the Joffrey Ballet. The performance was choreographed by Liam Scarlett and featured Victoria Jaiani as Carmen seducing lovestruck soldiers from the Joffrey Ensemble. The Joffrey Ballet stages its performances at the Lyric Opera House, and it was announced that this partnership will continue through 2036. It was a delicious preview of the classic tragedy being performed starting September 18. This season marks the 70th anniversary of the Joffrey Ballet, and it is thrilling that they call Chicago home.
After the dance, Mazzola led the orchestra in the overture to Cherubini's Medea, which will open the Lyric Opera season on October 11. Cherubini's overture is deceptively cheery, considering the storyline. Chicago-born Sondra Radvanovsky plays Medea, and it promises to be a smashing opener. Next was a selection from Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci by a trio of Emily Richter (Nedda), Sankara Harouna (Silvio), and Christopher Humbert Jr. (Tonio). The Ryan Center takes a holistic approach to opera performance by training its members to prepare not only as singers but also as performers. That comprehensive training in voice, acting, and languages was on full display.
Each of the singers is a rising star. I have already seen Harouna in action as Benny Paret in Terence Blanchard's Champion, and Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto. Humbert has a stunning baritone and a charismatic stage presence. Richter's soprano is pure with a lovely timbre. I am looking forward to watching her career. Next was "Alla Bella Despinetta" from Mozart's Così fan tutte, featuring Benjamin R. Sokol (Don Alfonso), Travon D. Walker (Ferrando)
Finn Sagal (Guglielmo), Alexis Peart (Despina), Emily Richter (Fiordiligi), and Camille Robles (Dorabella). It was funny and featured some equally hilarious facial hair.
A preview of Puccini's Madama Butterfly featured Daniel Luis Espinal as Pinkerton singing “Addio, fiorito asil.” Adia Evans followed as Cio-Cio-San and brought the house down with “Un bel dì.” Evans has a velvety soprano and gave a heart-tugging performance as the naive and lovestruck Butterfly.
The performance ventured into the Great American Songbook with Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell's classic "Georgia on My Mind," sung by Travon D. Walker, accompanied by Michael Banwarth on piano. Walker has a fantastic crossover voice. His tenor would suit opera or stage musicals. I was annoyed with the changing tempo. It sped up, and the piano seemed at odds with the singer. It gave the song a lounge-y feel, and I was not a fan of that. Walker also has a fabulous stage presence that stands on its own. He did not need so much melisma in the vocals.
Benjamin Sokal gave a delightful performance of Harold Arlen and E. Y. “Yip” Harburg's "Lydia the Tattooed Lady." Sokal was fabulous at singing the tongue-twisting lyrics. He gave the song a comic boost with his facial expressions and movements. Lydia is featured in the Marx Brothers' movie At the Circus (1939), with Groucho Mark performing the bawdy song. The popular songs are a reminder that the Lyric also does Broadway shows. I have seen West Side Story and other fine musical productions that usually happen at the end of the season. I could see Sokal taking a comedic role to the next level.
Speaking of great comic chops, tenor Sihao Hu took on the role of Figaro in Rossini's Barber of Seville, singing “Largo al factotum.” Conductor Chi-Yuan Lin returned for this segment, followed by Camille Robles (Rosina) and Finn Sagal as Figaro singing “Dunque io son”. The finale was a bookend to Bizet's Carmen, featuring two of the opera's highlights. Alexis Peart took on Carmen's seduction of Don José (Daniel Luis Espinal), singing “Près des remparts de Séville”. Peart put some fire into her brief portrayal of Carmen. I think she would be perfect as opera's foremost 'bad girl'.
The performance concluded with “Votre toast,” featuring Christopher Humbert Jr. as Escamillo, accompanied by the ensemble as the cheering chorus. I would love to see an entire production featuring Peart, Spinal, and Humbert Jr. There was great chemistry, but that holds for the whole production. It was so cool to see Mazzola up close. His interactions with the singers were as if they were living instruments, and by the same token, watching him take command as maestro was thrilling. Conductors have big personalities, and Mazzola goes even further with a visible love of the music and respect for those who play it.
Sunday in the Park with Lyric was a chance to get a peek at the new season and a preview of the talent in the pipeline for opera houses across the world. My only quibble was the competing concert booming from Grant Park. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) should review the calendar more closely. Whatever was emanating from Grant Park sounded like some jerk driving a car with woofers as big as the car. One day, that person will regret their hearing loss and wish they had come to the performance in Millennium Park. It took some effort to block out the booming bass and the helicopters buzzing overhead. Once I was able to block out the offending noise and focus, I enjoyed the performances and highly recommend catching next year's edition. Bonus- you can bring your own wine and food while lounging under the stars, listening to the future of opera.
Sunday in the Park with Lyric played on September 7 at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. These performances are always free and presented by the City of Chicago and DCASE (the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events). For more information, please visit lyricopera.org, DCASE, and joffrey.org
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