Lyric Opera 2023-2024 Issue 1 - The Flying Dutchman

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 8 Dear Lyric Community, The start of a new opera season is always an exciting time—and we trust you will agree that this year feels particularly exhilarating. That energy comes from many sources, including the extraordinary season ahead for Music Director Enrique Mazzola who, with this production, begins the third season of his tenure. The Flying Dutchman will be his rst Wagner opera for Lyric audiences, the initial offering in what we have taken to calling a “Season of Firsts” for the maestro (for much more insight on that, please enjoy the conversation with Maestro Mazzola starting on page 16). Though he has enormous experience elsewhere commissioning and conducting contemporary work, later this season he will conduct his rst 21st century piece at Lyric, with Terence Blanchard’s Champion . Later, Enrique will conduct the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus in two performances of Mozart’s grand Requiem , as well as the rarely heard incidental music for Thamos, King of Egypt —the rst Mozart works he will lead in our opera house. He’ll conclude our season with his rst-ever complete production of Aida —an astonishing fact, given his world-renowned stature as an expert Verdian. This production of The Flying Dutchman is a tting start to all these special occasions. Directed by Christopher Alden, the opera stars Tomasz Konieczny, fresh from singing Wotan at this year’s Bayreuth Festival, who made a sensational Lyric debut as Wozzeck in 2015/16. Our Senta is Tamara Wilson, a Lyric favorite who opened last season as Elvira in Ernani and in 2018/19 sang Leonora in Il trovatore . Needless to say, The Flying Dutchman —Wagner’s rst acknowledged masterwork—requires epic talents like these, and we are delighted to have these international stars joining us. None of these splendid productions would be possible without your continued support. Whether it’s your rst time or your 100th, we welcome you once again into the Lyric Opera House with open arms and open hearts. Thank you for your ongoing, essential participation in bringing grand opera to Chicago’s grandest stage. Welcome, and enjoy the season, From the Chair and the General Director SYLVIA NEIL Chair ANTHONY FREUD OBE President, General Director & CEO The Women’s Board Endowed Chair Todd Rosenberg Todd Rosenberg Lyric Opera of Chicago | 8 ear Lyric Co unity, The start of a new opera season is always an excit ng time and we trust you will agre that his year fe ls particularly exhilarating. That energy comes from many sources, including the extraordinary season ahead for Mae tro Enrique Mazzola who, with t is production, begins his third full season on ur podium as Lyric’s acclaimed Music Director. The Flying Dutchman will be his rst Wagner opera for Lyric audiences, the initial offering in what we have taken to calling a “Season f Firsts” for the maestro (for much more insight on that, please enjoy the conversation with M estro Mazzola starting on page 16). Though he has enormous experience elsewhere commissioning and conducting cont mporary work, later this season he will conduct his rst 21st century pi c at Lyric, with Terence Bla chard’s Champion . Later, Enrique will conduct the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus in two performances of Mozart’s grand Requiem , as well as the rarely heard incidental music for Thamos, King of Egypt —the rst Moz rt works he will lead in our opera house. He’ll conclude our season with his rst-ever c mplete production of Aida —an asto ishing fact, given his world-renowned stature as an expert Verdian. This production of The Flying Dutchman is a tting start to all these special occasions. Directed by Christopher Alden, the opera stars Tomasz Konieczny, fresh from singing Wotan at this year’s Bayreuth Festival, who made a sensational Lyric debut as Wozzeck in 2015/16. Our Senta is Tamara Wilson, a Lyric favorite who opened last season as Elvira in Ernani and in 2018/19 sang Leonora in Il trovatore . Needless to say, The Flying Dutchman —Wagner’s rst acknowledged masterwork—requires epic talents like these, and we are delighted to have these international stars joining us. None of these splendid productions would be possible without your continued support. Whether it’s your rst time or your 100th, we welcome you once again into the Lyric Opera House with open arms and open hearts. Thank you for your ongoing, essential participation in bringing grand opera to Chicago’s grandest stage. Welcome, and enjoy the season, i l i SYLVIA NEIL Chair ANTHONY FREUD OBE President, General Director & CEO The Women’s Board Endowed Chair Todd Rosenberg Todd Rosenberg