Where: Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker Drive When: through Nov. 2 Phone: 1-312-332-2244 By M.L. Rantala Classical Music Critic Verdi’s “Otello” never fails to offer rich opportunities for artists who are both splendid singers and actors. Opening night at Lyric Opera of Chicago proved this to be true yet again, with a splendid cast and […]
Where: Harris Theater in Millenium Park When: through Sept. 29 Phone: 312-704-8414 By M.L. RANTALA Classical Music Critic Opera’s bread and butter has always been the historical drama. Giuseppe Verdi, whose 200th birthday is now being celebrated throughout Chicago, certainly had an output that contains some notable historical operas — “Don Carlos” and “Attila” coming […]
By M.L. Rantala Classical Music Critic The Chicago Music Association was created in March of 1919 to provide a performance venue for classically trained Black musicians who had traditionally been denied access to major concert halls and opera houses throughout the U.S. In July of the same year, musicians from Washington, D.C., met with members […]
By M.L. RANTALA Classical Music Critic Another season of the Grant Park Music Festival has come to a close, and it could not have happened on a more pleasant evening, as thousands filled the Pritzker Pavilion, the Great Lawn and other parts of Millennium Park. GPMF artistic director and principal conductor Carlos Kalmar kicked off […]
By M.L. RANTALA Classical Music Critic Schubert’s stirring Mass in E-flat Major was the major work on the Grant Park Music Festival’s program Saturday night. Artistic director and principal conductor Carlos Kalmar presided over a large force: full orchestra, big chorus and five soloists. The results were splendid. Kalmar found all the majesty and glory […]
By M.L. RANTALA Classical Music Critic The stars twinkled above Ravinia Park on Saturday. The pavilion stage was also full of stars, as James Conlon led the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a marvelous collection of soloists in a concert performance of Verdi’s “Aida.” Soprano Latonia Moore made her Ravinia debut, singing the title role with […]
By M.L. RANTALA Classical Music Critic As a teenager, Jean Sibelius longed to be a great violinist. After aborting legal studies, he entered the Helsinki Music School (later renamed the Sibelius Academy) where he realized he would never be a violin virtuoso. He turned to composing, becoming not only his country’s most renowned and beloved […]
By M.L. RANTALA Classical Music Critic Last Wednesday, just as the heat wave began to lose steam, it was a perfect night for an outdoor concert. The Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park had gentle breezes which wafted the attractive scent of the foliage nearby. It was the perfect accompaniment to the music of the Grant […]
Where: 773 Theatre, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. When: through July 14 Contact: chicagofolksoperetta.org By M.L. RANTALA Classical Music Critic Chicago Folks Operetta has launched their 2013 season with the first Chicago production in some 25 years of Franz Lehár’s “The Land of Smiles” (“Das Land des Lächelns”). While Lehár is renowned for “The Merry Widow,” […]
By M.L. RANTALA Classical Music Critic The Chicago Ensemble’s 36th Hyde Park season came to a close on the Sunday of Alumni Weekend with a pleasant afternoon concert at International House, 1414 E. 59th St., replete with champagne and many smiling faces. The concert opened with the Trio-sonata in C Major by J.J. Quantz, performed […]