Lyric Opera 2019-2020 Issue 6 Don Giovanni

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 12 Lyric Opera of Chicago is a living, breathing, and most important, evolving part of Chicago’s cultural landscape. So is its home, the magnificent Lyric Opera House, which began life as the Civic Opera House nine decades ago. When you walk through the brass doors into the foyer, you’re greeted by a hybrid of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architectural details. The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Grand Foyer, with its glittering chandeliers and red-carpeted staircase, gives the feeling of grandeur and importance – history has happened here! While a cool marble floor and towering pillars could, in other places, invoke the feeling of a quiet, foreboding museum, the foyer comes alive when it’s filled with excited patrons. At any performance, you’ll find newcomers and longtime subscribers alike perched on the mezzanine balcony, champagne in hand, taking photos while reveling in the beauty surrounding them. A certain magic happens when the chimes sound to usher you into the Ardis Krainik Theatre. As you enter the auditorium, you’re sure to feel a special electricity in the air. Once you find your seat, look around and take in the gilded walls and stenciled ceiling, as well as the famous fire curtain designed by American artist Jules Guerin, with its exuberant depiction of the Triumphal Scene from Verdi’s Aida (the very first opera performed on this stage in 1929). From the moment the lights dim and the first notes sound from the orchestra, the energy in the historic opera house becomes absolutely palpable. The opera onstage transports the audience to halls of great kings and queens, with power-hungry gods, lovestruck peasant girls, and dastardly villains. We all become part of the By Lindsey Raker Dan Rest No place like home: Our opera house celebrates its 90 th birthday The Triumphal Scene of Aida in the production that opened the Civic Opera House 90 years ago. The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foyer on opening night of the Lyric season.