Lyric Opera of Chicago Podcasts

Hear the poet himself, Lyric fave Matthew Polenzani, and the production's musical architect, conductor Emmanuel Villaume, discuss The Tales of Hoffmann in this Discovery Series session, part of the Backstage at Lyric podcasts.

Hercules languished in obscurity for almost two centuries and didn’t receive its first modern performance until 1925! Director Peter Sellars gives us a new production with a fresh perspective on Handel's 1745 creation. For this Discovery Session, The University of Chicago's renowned mythologist Wendy Doniger and the ever-brilliant Sellars delve into the timeless themes and compelling characters of the work now considered one of the supreme achievements of its age.

South African tenor Johan Botha, who previously starred at Lyric in La Gioconda, Pagliacci, and Turandot, is renowned internationally for his portrayal of many of the most formidably difficult roles in the repertoire. One of his specialties is Wagner's Lohengrin, with which he's making his eagerly awaited return to Lyric this season. The role has been a triumph for him at the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, and the Vienna Staatsoper - he also appears in an acclaimed Lohengrin recording now on CD. In this conversation with Lyric broadcast host George Preston, Botha brings all of his sensitivity and experience to bear on the complexities of this eternally fascinating role.

German mezzo-soprano Michaela Schuster is making her Lyric debut in one of the most fearsomely challenging roles in the entire Wagner repertoire, Ortrud in Lohengrin. Ortrud has brought Schuster huge acclaim in Copenhagen and Munich (her portrayal in the recent new production at Munich's Bayerische Staatsoper is now on DVD). Schuster is a star of all the major German houses, as well as Covent Garden and the Vienna Staatsoper. Ortrud has often been regarded as a one-dimensional villainess, but here -- in conversation with Lyric dramaturg and broadcast commentator Roger Pines - Schuster reveals the human dimension behind the villainy of this alluring and intriguing character.

Some see it as Wagner's first masterpiece. Others say it was his stepping-stone to the Ring cycle. Either way, Lohengrin is the perfect melding of vocal and orchestral forces and a dramatic tour de force! Join Emily Magee (Elsa), Greer Grimsley (Telramund), and conductor Sir Andrew Davis in an exploration of the master's 1850 magnum opus.

Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric's renowned music director, introduces listeners to the 2011-12 season, including commentary and musical highlights from all eight operas.

Sagebrush verismo! Rough-and tumble characters, soaring arias, and a harmonically sumptuous score in the original spaghetti Western! Deborah Voigt (Minnie), Marcello Giordani (Dick Johnson), and conductor Sir Andrew Davis hitch up the buckboard and head west for a look at this most adventuresome addition to the Puccini oeuvre.

A legendary artist and a great Lyric favorite, American bass-baritone James Morris has long been celebrated throughout the world in many of the most formidable roles in the repertoire, including Wagner's Wotan and Dutchman, Puccini's Scarpia, and the four villains of Offenbach's TALES OF HOFFMANN. But Morris is also a big fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, and he was delighted to return to Lyric this season in the title role of THE MIKADO. He discusses this amazing change of pace in conversation with Lyric broadcast host George Preston of 98.7WFMT.

Canadian soprano Andriana Chuchman, a Ryan Opera Center alumna who is rapidly establishing herself with important companies throughout North America, is returning to Lyric after her captivating portrayal of Valencienne in last season's Merry Widow. English tenor Toby Spence, a star of both of the major London companies and one of the most prominent British artists internationally, is debuting at Lyric Opera this season. These two singers play opposite each other in The Mikado as the two lovers, Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo. In a conversation with Lyric dramaturg and broadcast commentator Roger Pines, Chuchman and Spence speak about their characterizations in the GS work, and about Lyric's new production.

Lyric's music director revealed his immense enthusiasm for Gilbert and Sullivan when he led the company premiere of The Pirates of Penzance (2003-04). Now he's back on the podium for the new production of The Mikado, which he discusses in a lively conversation with the company's dramaturg, Roger Pines.

One of the most frequently performed stage works in history! Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado has delighted audiences since its 1885 premiere. Gary Griffin, Toby Spence and Neal Davies discuss the 125 year-old socio-political comedy and the two geniuses who created it.

No Lyric debut in recent seasons has been more eagerly anticipated than that of Stephanie Blythe. The American mezzo-soprano, a star of the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, and the Opera National de Paris, is universally recognized by critics and audiences as one of the finest artists of our time. In this conversation with Lyric broadcast producer Mark Travis, she discusses the two very different roles she's performing in her first Lyric season -- Mme. Arvidson/A Masked Ball (debut) and Katisha/The Mikado.

American baritone Mark Delavan has demonstrated remarkable versatility at Lyric, where he has scored major successes in operas by Gluck, Verdi, Wagner, Mascagni, Leoncavallo, and Bolcom. The Verdi repertoire has brought Delavan many triumphs at the Metropolitan Opera, as well as Munich, San Francisco, and Santa Fe. He's making his role debut this season at Lyric in his 14th Verdi role, Anckarstrom/A Masked Ball, which he discusses here in a lively conversation with Lyric broadcast producer Mark Travis.

Currently principal guest conductor of Seattle Opera, Israeli conductor Asher Fisch Fisch appears frequently at the Vienna Staatsoper and is former music director of both the Vienna Volksoper and the Israeli Opera. He is returning to Lyric Opera to conduct his first performances of A Masked Ball. In a lively conversation with Lyric Opera dramaturg Roger Pines, he discusses this latest addition to his repertoire, while also recalling other career highlights.

American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky is acknowledged by audiences and critics throughout North America and Europe as one of today's few true Verdi sopranos. She is returning to Lyric this season to sing her first Amelia, one of the most eagerly awaited role debuts of her career. Here she discusses the formidable challenges of the role in relation to other heroines in her repertoire. Lyric Opera dramaturg Roger Pines poses the questions.