Lyric Opera 2018-2019 Issue 4 Siegfried

L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O 6 | November 3 - 16, 2018 There is nothing more ambitious for an opera company to undertake than a new Ring cycle. In terms of the vocal, orchestral, and visual requirements, Wagner’s tetralogy is the ultimate challenge. It calls on artists, musicians, and backstage personnel to contribute their last ounce of skill to do justice to the four operas, which stand among the greatest works of art ever produced. When Sir Andrew Davis and I first spoke to director David Pountney about creating Lyric’s new Ring , we told him we wanted to reclaim this masterpiece for the theater. Over the years so much has been done to the Ring , to the point that we felt it had lost its true connection to its theatrical roots. David took that literally, and is setting each opera within the skeleton of an old theater. Within that structure, the worlds of each opera are quite different. After getting off to a great start with the first two operas of the cycle, Das Rheingold and Die Walküre , we’ve arrived at Siegfried , unquestionably the liveliest portion of the tetralogy and frequently referred to as the Ring ’s “scherzo.” David and his brilliant designers have created a fantastical, whimsical, imaginative world that will be extraordinarily potent in its telling of the story. Sir Andrew’s conducting of the major Wagner operas at Lyric has been one of the company’s greatest joys for nearly two decades. It will be hugely exciting for us to witness his return to the stupendously exhilarating music of Siegfried , and to hear our orchestra revel in such highlights as the stirring “Forging Song” of Act One, the “Forest Murmurs” of Act Two, and the luminous music that accompanies Brünnhilde’s awakening in Act Three. Singing the title role for the first time – truly a Mount Everest for tenors – is Burkhard Fritz, in a very eagerly awaited Lyric debut. He comes to us after scoring repeated successes internationally not only in the heldentenor roles of Wagner and Strauss, but also as the romantic heroes of Weber, Berlioz, and Offenbach. Another remarkable tenor, singing the pivotal role of Mime, is another debuting artist, Burkhard’s compatriot Matthias Klink, who will bring exceptional musicality to a role that does not always receive it. Joining us to continue their traversal of two of Wagner’s most magnificent characterizations are our Brünnhilde, Christine Goerke, and our Wanderer (Wotan), Eric Owens. In Das Rheingold and Die Walküre , Eric exhibited a thrilling majesty in his portrayal, which he sang with all the beauty, power, and sensitivity for which he has become celebrated. After captivating our audiences as the heroic warrior-maiden in Die Walküre , Christine’s stupendous singing and passionate acting will show us all the warmth and womanliness of Brünnhilde as the character discovers love. Korean bass-baritone Samuel Youn – so extraordinary as the Rheingold Alberich – will be back with us to reveal more of that fiendishly vindictive character, and the rich-voiced American mezzo-soprano Ronnita Miller will debut at Lyric as Erda, which has become her signature role. I’m delighted to welcome back to our stage two remarkably gifted alumni of the Ryan Opera Center, Diana Newman (Forest Bird) and Patrick Guetti (Fafner). All of us at Lyric are excited that you’ve joined us as we continue our Ring journey with Siegfried . We hope it will prove as great an adventure for you as it is for us. Anthony Freud General Director, President & CEO The Women’s Board Endowed Chair From the General Director STEVE LEONARD