We say farewell to artists who have passed away in 2016 and especially note the Wagnerian tenor long associated with Lyric Opera, Johan Botha. We also remember Patrice Munsel, Edita Gruberova, Denise Duval and Marni Nixon.

Spain’s long celebrated Knight Errant, Don Quixote and his ever faithful servant, Sancho Panza return to Lyric Opera of Chicago. Two superb artists, Jose Van Dam, and Vanni-Marcoux give the Knight his due.

Based on Virgil’s Aeneid this five act grand opera by Berlioz is heard this season at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Selections will be heard with Dame Janet Baker as Dido and Georges Thill as Aeneas. Playlist: Berlioz: LesTroyens “March” (excerpt) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham RecordedinLondonin1961 EMICDM763412 2 Berlioz: Les Troyens, […]

Nine delightful songs will be heard and each with a color in its title. Among the artists are Marian Anderson who has the color blue, Simon Keenlyside who has red, Jerry Hadley has gold and many more.

Expect spectacular singing from of one of the greatest voices of the twentieth century as Larry observes the 90th birthday anniversary of this fondly remembered Australian diva.

Callas will be heard in the Mad Scene in performance in Berlin in 1955. Natalie Dessay and Roberto Alagna and more will be heard in the Sextet.

An instrumental version of a familiar song or aria is followed by a vocal rendition. Tito Gobbi, Kirsten Flagstad and Angela Gheorghiu join James Galway, Jean Yves Thibaudet and the Orchestra of La Scala conducted by Herbert von Karajan.

As Lyric begins the Ring Cycle this season, comedian Anna Russell will explain the plot. We then join the Gods and enter Valhalla with a transcription of this opera’s musical themes by Leopold Stokowski.

Larry presents a thoughtful retrospective on artists whose lives were cut short and who left us all too soon. They are Jussi Bjoerling, Lorriane Hunt Lieberson, Enrico Caruso, Arleen Auger, Fritz Wunderlich, Jerry Hadley, Tatiana Troyanos and Mario Lanza.

This program recalls the conductor whose musical instincts influenced and molded the voices of three of the twentieth century’s greatest sopranos: Rosa Ponselle, Maria Callas, and Joan Sutherland.