Lyric Opera 2021-2022 Issue 4 Florencia en el Amazonas

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 20 Additional support is provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Production Circle. Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline,American Airlines. Original production by Houston Grand Opera.Scenery provided by Bay Productions,Cardiff,Wales,U.K.; Adirondack Scenic Studios; McGuire Scenic; and Lyric Opera of Chicago scene shop.Additional costumes provided by Steppenwolf Theatre Company costume shop and Lyric Opera of Chicago wardrobe department. APPROXIMATE TIMINGS Act 1 55 minutes Intermission 25 minutes Act 2 45 minutes Total 2 hours, 5 minutes Act one On the riverbank, Riolobo, a mystical character who can assume many forms, excitedly announces that the El Dorado is bound for the opera house in Manaus. There, the legendary opera diva Florencia Grimaldi, who has not set foot in her native South America for 20 years, will give a concert to reopen the theater. From among the crowds lining the riverbank and selling their local wares, the ship’s passengers come aboard: a young journalist, Rosalba, who is working on a biography about Florencia Grimaldi; Paula and Alvaro, a middle-aged couple journeying to hear Grimaldi in hopes of rekindling their marriage; and the diva herself, traveling incognito. As the Captain steers the ship out of the busy port, Florencia reflects on the emptiness of her life and her desire to rediscover herself and find her long-lost lover, Cristobal, a butterfly hunter in search of the rare Emerald Muse. Rosalba accidentally drops her notebook into the river; she is distraught because it contains all her notes for the biography, but it is rescued by the Captain’s nephew, Arcadio. The two exchange confidences about their longings and desires. Alvaro and Paula attempt to dine on deck, but misunderstandings about the exotic menu lead to bitter exchanges. Florencia, awakened by the sounds of the jungle, learns from the Captain that the butterfly hunter disappeared into the jungle without a trace. Later, a tempestuous game of cards contrasts the growing affection between Rosalba and Arcadio and the escalating tension between Paula and Alvaro. A violent storm quickly develops and the ship is carried helplessly in rushing currents and a downpour of pink rain. Alvaro saves the boat from being crushed by tree trunks but is knocked overboard. With the Captain unconscious, Riolobo appears in the guise of a river spirit and implores the mercy of the river gods. Arcadio ably takes the helm but is unable to stop the forces of nature as the ship runs aground. INTERMISSION Act two In the quiet after the storm, Florencia wonders whether she is dead or alive. Arcadio and Rosalba rejoice to find they have survived the storm, but frightened by the intensity of their feelings for each other, they vow not to fall in love and risk disillusionment. Paula laments the loss of Alvaro, recognizing that the wall between them was pride, not a lack of love. Riolobo once again calls upon the mystical and transformative powers of the Amazon. Suddenly, Alvaro is returned to the boat, explaining that Paula’s voice called him back from the brink of death. On behalf of all the PRODUCTION SPONSORS Anonymous Marion A.Cameron-Gray Synopsis TIME | Early 1900s PLACE | The El Dorado , a steamboat sailing down the Amazon from Leticia, Colombia, to Manaus, Brazil