The Fourth Walsh

Theatre with a side of life

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  • Review “Romeo and Juliet” (Lyric Opera): The Greatest Love Story Ever… Sung!

    Wednesday, February 24, 2016 Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Fourth Walsh Permalink 0

    Lyric Opera of Chicago presents ROMEO AND JULIET.        At the Lyric, I’m gotten fairly adept at reading the English titles while watching the opera. This time because I’m very familiar with ‘the greatest love story ever told,’ I chose to ignore the printed translation and just experience the opera.  I focused on the ...

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  • Review “Der Rosenkavalier” (Lyric Opera): Long and Luscious!

    Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Fourth Walsh Permalink 0

    Photo by Cory Weaver Lyric Opera of Chicago presents DER ROSENKAVALIER. Love and lust is in the air this winter at the Lyric. Richard Strauss composed an opera driven by desire. The curtains open on the pillow talk between Sophie Koch (Octavian) and Amanda Majeski (The Marschallin).  Mezzo-soprano Koch is playing a seventeen year-old boy and ...

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  • Review “Bel Canto” (Lyric Opera): Profound!

    Saturday, December 12, 2015 Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Fourth Walsh Permalink 1

    Lyric Opera of Chicago presents the world premiere of Bel Canto. When I read Ann Patchett’s novel, I was captivated by her storytelling.  Inspired by the Peruvian hostage crisis of 1996-97, Patchett penned a tale of an elite house party attacked by terrorists.  A group of international dignitaries have gathered for a private concert by a world renown ...

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  • Review “Wozzeck” (Lyric Opera): Tight and Unsettling Examination of Humanity

    Friday, November 6, 2015 Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Fourth Walsh Permalink 0

    The Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a new production of WOZZECK . Lyric’s latest opera is a unique theatrical experience for multiple reasons.  Historically, Composer Alban Berg debuted this opera in Berlin in 1925.  He had seen the the 1830‘s play “Wozzeck” in 1914.  He begin writing the opera about a soldier named Wozzeck during World ...

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  • Review “The Marriage of Figaro” (Lyric Opera of Chicago): Mozart’s Masterpiece Infused with Joy

    Monday, September 28, 2015 Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Fourth Walsh Permalink 0

    The Lyric Opera of Chicago presents THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO. In the Director’s Note, Barbara Gaines reflects on seeing THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO as a young girl.  Although she loved the joyful music, Gaines found the production dark, distant with limited interaction by the singers.  When Gaines took on this year’s Lyric season opener, her goal ...

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  • Review “The Passenger” (Lyric Opera): Unforgiving and Poignantly Memorable

    Thursday, March 5, 2015 Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Fourth Walsh Permalink 0

    Lyric Opera presents its premiere of THE PASSENGER. This unforgettable story is based on the Polish radio play by concentration camp survivor Zofia Posmysz.  On a luxury ocean liner, a woman is haunted by her past. It’s the 1960s. Liese (performed by Daveda Karanas) and her German diplomat husband (performed by Brandon Jovanovich) are enjoying a ...

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  • Review “Tannhauser” (Lyric Opera): Lust to Love

    Tuesday, February 10, 2015 Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Fourth Walsh Permalink 0

    Lyric Opera presents TANNHAUSER. Wagner’s love debate of intellectual connection verses physical attraction opens with sensual athleticism.  On a surreal set featuring a grand stage on the Lyric’s grandeur stage, Michaela Schuster (Venus) seduces Johan Botha (Tannhauser).  He watches from a chair.  She beckons from the stage.  Reality is blurred.  Venus becomes several ladies.  Tannhauser becomes ...

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  • Review “Tosca” (Lyric Opera): For the love of Puccini

    Sunday, January 25, 2015 Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Fourth Walsh Permalink 0

    Lyric Opera of Chicago presents TOSCA. The Lyric is presenting this Puccini favorite in an extended run featuring two different casts.  I reviewed the principals for the January 24th- February 5th performances.  TOSCA is being mounted with a new production co-produced by the Lyric and Houston Grand Opera.  Scenic and Costume Designer Bunny Christie introduces each ...

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  • Review “Anna Bolena” (Lyric Opera): Radvanovsky Bewitchingly Rules!

    Wednesday, December 10, 2014 Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Fourth Walsh Permalink 0

    Lyric Opera presents ANNA BOLENA. The tale of the unfortunate fate of King Henry VIII’s second wife is familiar.  Queen Anne Boleyn’s reign ended by beheading.  ANNA BOLENA’s liberetto by Felice Romani focuses more on the guilt of Anne than Henry.  The fact that Henry is killing his wife to marry Jane Seymour is buried underneath ...

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  • Review “Porgy and Bess” (Lyric Opera): First-Rate Operatic Rendition

    Thursday, November 20, 2014 Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Fourth Walsh Permalink 0

    Lyric Opera presents PORGY AND BESS.  PORGY AND BESS is about the residents of Catfish Row in South Carolina.  They struggle in racially influenced poverty.  To endure the challenging times, the black folks have established a tight community.  The gals anchor their homes in religious fervor.  The guys gamble for a better future playing craps.  They ...

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The Fourth Walsh

Theatre with a side of life

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