Romantic comedy, sublimely beautiful music… plus love triangles and double-cross-dressing! Der Rosenkavalier continues tonight at Lyric now starring Alice Coote in the title role

LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
lyricopera.org
#LyricRosenkavalier

Friday, March 4, 2016

Romantic comedy, sublimely beautiful music…
plus love triangles and double-cross-dressing!
Der Rosenkavalier
continues tonight at Lyric
now starring Alice Coote in the title role

CHICAGO – Lyric Opera of Chicago’s lavish production of Richard Strauss’s delectably bittersweet romantic comedy Der Rosenkavalier continues tonight, Friday, March 4, with acclaimed English mezzo-soprano Alice Coote portraying Octavian for the four final performances through Sunday, March 13.

The opera centers on the “Knight of the Silver Rose,” the teenage Count Octavian (Alice Coote), who is amorously involved with a woman twice his age, the Marschallin, sung by Amanda Majeski. Her cousin, the boorish Baron Ochs (Matthew Rose/debut), plans to marry the lovely young Sophie (Christina Landshamer/American debut) for her family’s money. Sophie, however, falls hard for the betrothal messenger Octavian instead, and he with her. Much merry confusion ensues – including Ochs pursuing a chambermaid who’s really Octavian in disguise – before the rapturous trio and duet that conclude this musically divine comedy, when the Marschallin releases her young lover and Sophie and Octavian are joyfully united.

Edward Gardner conducts the production directed by Martina Weber (both debuts). Sets and costumes are designed by Thierry Bosquet with lighting by Duane Schuler. Michael Black is chorus master. French soprano Sophie Koch sang the four February performances.

Alice Coote has triumphed as Octavian previously in New York, Vienna, Munich, Los Angeles, and Geneva; and as Strauss’s Composer in Ariadne auf Naxos at Lyric and in Munich, London, Paris, and Toronto. Coote debuted at Lyric in Hansel and Gretel, returning as Orlovsky/Die Fledermaus and Dejanira/Hercules. The renowned English mezzo-soprano has performed extensively and with great success in a wide range of roles internationally (San Francisco, Frankfurt, Salzburg, Amsterdam, Boston, and elsewhere, in addition to the leading opera houses in the cities mentioned above). Her repertoire includes the trouser roles of Monteverdi, Gluck, Mozart, Massenet, and Strauss, and also female roles such as Poppea, Carmen, Charlotte, and Berlioz’s Marguerite. Coote has numerous critically praised recordings to her credit, including recent solo discs of Schuman lieder and French art song.

Watch the video below to see Alice Coote’s transformation into Octavian:

The Music Information Summary for Lyric’s production of Der Rosenkavalier can be found here.

Remaining performance dates are March 4, and 7 at 6:30pm; and March 10 and 13 at 1:00pm. For tickets and information call (312) 827-5600 or go to lyricopera.org/rosenkavalier.

PLEASE NOTE: All performances of Der Rosenkavalier will offer audiences the opportunity to observe Lyric’s stage crew changing the scenery. Those who want to see how it all happens can remain in their seats at the end of Act One to see the changeover from the Marschallin’s bedroom to Faninal’s home, done in full view of the audience with narration by stage manager John W. Coleman.

BOX MEALS: Box meals are available for $15 and may be purchased in the lobby upon arrival at the Civic Opera House, for pickup during the first intermission. Choose from three delectable sandwiches (roast beef, turkey, or vegetarian) with chips and water.

Lyric’s production of Der Rosenkavalier is generously made possible by an Anonymous Donor and Mr. & Mrs. Dietrich M. Gross.

About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s mission is to express and promote the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great opera. Lyric exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to Chicago and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form.

Founded in 1954, Lyric is dedicated to producing and performing consistently thrilling, entertaining, and thought-provoking opera with a balanced repertoire of core classics, lesser-known masterpieces, and new works; to creating an innovative and wide-ranging program of community engagement and educational activities; and to developing exceptional emerging operatic talent.

Under the leadership of general director Anthony Freud, music director Sir Andrew Davis, and creative consultant Renée Fleming, Lyric strives to become The Great North American Opera Company for the 21st century: a globally significant arts organization embodying the core values of excellence, relevance, and fiscal responsibility.