William Mason, General Director
Sir Andrew Davis, Music Director
Matthew A. Epstein, Artistic Director

Single tickets now on sale for Lyric Opera of Chicago
Prices range from $29 to $152

Lyric Opera's 48th Season begins Saturday,
September 21, at 7:00 p.m. with Bruno Bartoletti conducting
a double bill of Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci,
starring Dolora Zajick, Vincenzo La Scola, Svetla Vassileva,
Johan Botha, and Jean-Philippe Lafont

"CAV/PAG. "SUSANNAH, DIE WALKÜRE. SWEENEY TODD. THAIS.
LA TRAVIATA. PARTENOPE. and A MASKED BALL
to be seen at Lyric Opera this season, including five
productions new to Chicago
 

Subscriptions still available
A New Four-Opera Weekday Matinee Series Added for
2002 / 03 Season!
 

Call 312-332-2244, ext. 5600
or visit www.lyricopera.org
for more information about the exciting new season
 

William Mason, general director of Lyric Opera of Chicago,
has announced that single tickets are now on sale for the
company's 2002 / 2003 season.

Lyric's 48th season offers 86 performances of eight different
operas - five in productions new to Chicago - beginning Saturday,
September 21, 2002, and concluding Saturday, March 22, 2003.

Single tickets range in price from $29 to $142 for weekday
performances, and $39 to $152 for weekend performances. For the
Opening Night Gala Benefit on Sept. 21, single tickets range
in price from $65 to $600.

Excellent seats in several subscription series are also
still available, although some series have already sold out.

"An important element of the 2002 / 2003 season is the addition
of a new, four-opera weekday matinee series," Mason notes. "Our
audience surveys and ticket sales have clearly shown that there is
more and more demand for weekday performances, and this new 'MG'
series should fit the bill." Lyric now has three matinee series
for the new season. The weekend MA matinee series and the weekday
MB series (added just three seasons ago) were both completely sold
out on subscription for the 2001 /02 season.

Single tickets for some matinee performances are available.

A special two-weekend "0 Series" for out-of-town patrons who live
at least 120 miles away from Chicago is offered, as well. The 0 Series consists of Die Walküre on
Fri. Dec. 6 and Sweeney Todd on Sat. Dec. 7 (with time for holiday shopping in between!), then
Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball) on Fri. Mar. 7 and La traviata on Sat. Mar. 8. An optional
Partenope can be added on Thurs. Mar. 6.

"Lyric's 2002 / 03 season is wonderful and well balanced," Mason says. "We run the gamut from
Handel's Partenope to Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, with an all-star lineup of new and returning
artists ideally suited for their roles.

"I'm thrilled about launching our Ring revival with Die Walküre, starring the reigning Wotan, Brünnhilde,
and Sieglinde of our time - James Morris, Jane Eaglen, and Deborah Voigt, with Sir Andrew Davis at
the helm." (Siegfried will be presented in 2003/04, Das Rheingold will be incorporated in the regular
season in 2004/05, as will three performances of Götterdämmerung, before the full cycle is remounted
following the 50th-anniversary season, in the spring of 2005.)
 

"This season Sir Andrew is also conducting the performances of Thaïs and La traviata," notes Mason.
"Our sumptuous production of La traviata features two stellar casts: Alexandra von der Weth and
Frank Lopardo (both from last season's La bohème) as Violetta and Alfredo, with Roberto Frontali
as Germont, Jan. 18-Feb. 4; and Patrizia Ciofi (American debut), Jonas Kaufmann, and
Kim Josephson as Violetta, Alfredo, and Germont Mar. 5-21.

"Under the aegis of our American Horizons initiative, we will bring Sweeney Todd to our stage in what
promises to be an exciting new production starring Bryn Terfel in his role debut, directed by the incomparable
Neil Armfield and conducted by Paul Gemignani, who has such extensive experience with this repertoire,
"says Mason. "Stephen Sondheim is one of today's most important composers. We are committed to
exploring the considerable repertory of American opera and musical theater, and believe Sweeny Todd to
be one of the great works of the past four decades.

"Another great American work next season is the revival of our much-heralded Robert Falls production
of Carlisle Floyd's Susannah, which was subsequently seen at the Metropolitan Opera, Houston,
Washington, and in Geneva," Mason continues. "Samuel Ramey will return in one of his signature roles,
as the Rev. Olin Blitch, and the impressive American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky will make her
Lyric Opera debut and role debut in the title role. Julius Rudel has an unsurpassed knowledge of this work,
having conducted its New York premiere in 1956, its European premiere in 1958, two revivals at
New York City Opera, and many others elsewhere -about 50 performances in all." Brenda Nuckton
will stage-direct the revival in her Lyric debut.

"Thaïs hasn't been seen on Lyric's stage since 1959- it was a great Chicago favorite in the 1910s and '20s,
with that lush Massenet score and the legendary Mary Garden starring in the title role," Mason notes. "
Two top American artists who have already recorded the work together head our cast: Renée Fleming will
offer her first fully staged performance of the title role; and Thomas Hampson, one of the great baritones of
our time, will make his long-anticipated Lyric debut as Athanaël. Stage director John Cox, who gave Lyric
a beautiful and imaginative Ariadne auf Naxos a few years ago, is sure to create a wonderful new production
with debuting set and costume designer Paul Brown.

"The Lyric Opera premiere of Handel's Partenope will see the return of Lyric Opera Center alumna
Elizabeth Futral in the title role, and the Lyric debut of two outstanding American countertenors who have
performed their roles in separate performances of this production, but never before together: David Daniels,
a marvelous artist with a beautiful voice who is incomparable in this repertoire; and Bejun Mehta, who
has also had great success in this country and in Europe," says Mason.

"In Un ballo in masehera (A Masked Ball) Neil Shicoff, one of the world's finest Verdi tenors, returns to Lyric
as the protagonist Riccardo; the always-commanding baritone Dimitri Hvorostovsky will sing his first Renato,
and the Chilean soprano Veronica Villarroel will make a much-awaited Lyric and role debut as Amelia.
Mark Elder, who led last season's smash hit Hansel and Gretel, will return to the podium.

"This season opens with another Italian favorite, the double bill of Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci, which
haven't been seen here together since 1978," Mason notes. "Artistic director emeritus Bruno Bartoletti will
conduct the repertory that he understand& so well. The stellar casts include tenor Johan Botha, who triumphed
in his debut here a few years ago in La Gioconda; baritone Jean-Philippe Lafont, who has stirred Lyric audiences
in Tosca, II tabarro, and Don Quichotte; and mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick, who possesses one of today's most
magnificent voices - a true force of nature, as we have heard here previously in Don Carlo, Aida, and Il trovatore.

Projected English titles will be used for every opera in Lyric's 2002/2003 season.

For the 2002 / 2003 season at Lyric Opera, Donald Palumbo is chorus master for six operas
(Die Walküre and Partenope have no chorus). Wigmaster and makeup designer for all productions is
Richard Jarvie.
 

THE WORKS BEING PRESENTED BY LYRIC IN THE 2002 - 2003 SEASON
AND THE PRINCIPAL ARTISTS WHO HAVE BEEN ENGAGED

New production
CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA /Pietro Mascagni and PAGLIACCI / Ruggero Leoncavallo
Sept, 21 (7 pm), 24, 28, Oct. 2 (ma.), 5, 8, 11, 14, 17 (ma.), 20
(ma.), 23, 26; in Italian with projected English titles

At the center of the smoldering Cavalleria Rusticana is Santuzza (mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick), a Sicilian village
girl. Santuzza's beloved Turiddu (tenor Vincenzo La Scola), having returned from the army, abandons her to
return to his own former love, Lola (mezzosoprano Jennifer Dudley), although Lola is married to Alfio
(baritone Jean-Philippe Lafont).

Santuzza reveals the affair to Alfio, with tragic consequences. The cast also includes mezzo-soprano
Susan Nicely as Mamma Lucia, Turiddu's mother.

The second half of this world-famous double bill, Pagliacci, is the story of the heartbreak of a clown. He is
Canio (tenor Johan Botha), leader of a group of traveling players that includes his beautiful wife, Nedda
(soprano Svetla Vassileva, debut). Another clown in the troupe, Tonio (baritone Jean-Philippe Lafont), forces
his attentions on Nedda and is rejected. His fury leads him to reveal Nedda's affair with the handsome villager
Silvio (baritone Mariusz Kwiecien, debut) to Canio, who extorts a terrible revenge. Tenor David Cangelosi
completes the cast as the troupe's fourth member, Beppe.

The new production will be conducted by Bruno Bartoletti (Lyric's artistic director emeritus) and directed by
Elijah Moshiusky, with sets and costumes by Michael Veargan and lighting by Duane Schuler.

This new production is made possible by the Julius Frankel Foundation.
The Opening Night Benefit is sponsored by Aon Corporation.
The Opera Ball is sponsored by Northern Trust and ITW.
 

SUSANNAH / Carlisle Floyd
Sept. 30, Oct. 4, 6 (ma.), 9, 12, 16 (ma.), 19, 22, 25, 29; in
English with projected English titles This 1955 work by Carlisle Floyd,
one of the most successful of all American operas,centers on an ill-fated encounter between a country girl and
an itinerant preacher. In Appalachian Tennessee in the 1920s, the free-spirited Susannah (soprano Sondra
Radvanovsky, debut), is adored by young Little Bat McLean (tenor David Cangelosi) but frowned upon by their
village's other residents: Elder McLean and Mrs. McLean (bass-baritone Michael Devlin and mezzo-soprano
Dorothy Byrne), Elder Hayes and Mrs. Hayes (tenor Matthew Lord, debut, and mezzo-soprano Buffy Baggott),
Elder Gleaton and Mrs. Gleaton (tenor Brad Cresswell and soprano Erin Wood), and Elder Ott and Mrs. Ott
(bass Wilbur Pauley and mezzo-soprano Susan Nicely). After Susannah is seen by the village elders bathing
naked in a stream, the Rev. Olin Butch (bass Samuel Ramey) vows to reform her. Instead he seduces her,
and is overcome with guilt. Susannah's brother Sam (tenor Anthony Dean Griffey, debut) shoots the preacher,
but Susannah remains defiant in the face of the village's rejection.

Lyric is reviving a production premiered with great success during the 1993/94 season. Julius Rudel will
conduct. Brenda Nuckton (debut) is stage director and Michael Yeargan is set and costume designer. The
lighting designer is Duane Schuier. Original production by Robert Falls.

The Lyric Opera revival of the Abbott Laboratories production is made possible by The Elizabeth Morse
Charitable Trust. Susannah is a co-production of Lyric Opera of Chicago and Houston Grand Opera.
 

DIE  WALKÜRE / Richard Wagner
Nov. 6, 10 (ma.), 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 29;
Dec.2, 6; in German with projected English titles;
EVENING PERFORMANCES at 6:30 p.m., MATINEE PERFORMANCE at 1:30 p.m.

The second opera of Wagner's monumental Ring cycle, Die Walküre focuses on the conflict between Wotan
(bass James Morris), king of the gods, and his mortal son, Siegmund (tenor Thomas Studebaker, debut).
Siegmund has unwittingly fallen in love with his twin, Sieglinde (soprano Deborah Voigt), although she is the
wife of Hunding (bass Phillip Ens, debut). This arouses the wrath of Wotan's wife, Fricka (mezzo-soprano
Marjana Lipovsek), and the compassion of Wotan's daughter, the warrior-maiden Brünnhilde (soprano
Jane Eaglen). The turning point of the opera arrives when Brünnhilde disobeys her father by siding with
Siegmund in the latter's fight against Hunding. Among Wotan's other Valkyrie daughters are Helmwige (soprano
Tamara Acosta, debut), Ortlinde (soprano Erin Wood), Waltraute (mezzosoprano Jennifer Roderer, debut),
Schwertleite (mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Grohowski), Siegrune (mezzo-soprano Buffy Baggott), and Grimgerde
(contralto Heather Meyers, debut).

Lyric Opera's production was first seen in 1993 / 94 and then revived as part of the company's acclaimed
1996 Ring cycle. Sir Andrew Davis will conduct, with the original production by the late August Everding
remounted by stage director Herbert Kellner. The set and costume designer is John Conklin, the lighting
designer is Duane Schuler, and the choreographer is Debra Brown.

Die Walküre is the Cynthia Wood and Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Claeyssens production. Part of Lyric's Ring cycle,
with major support from the SBC Foundation. Lyric Opera revival made possible by Mr. & Mrs. Dietrich M. Gross,
Mrs. A. Watson Armour, and an Anonymous Donor.

SWEENEY TODD /Stephen Sondheim - New production / Lyric premiere
Nov. 18, 21(ma.), 23, 27(ma.), 30; Dec. 4, 7, 10, 13, 17, 20, 22 (ma.); in English with projected English titles
Sweeney Todd (1979), one of America's greatest music-theater pieces of the past quarter-century, is Lyric Opera's
first work by Stephen Sondheim. At the center of the hair-raising web of intrigue and suspense is the title character,
"the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, role debut). The implacable Judge Turpin (baritone
Timothy Nolen), who lusts after Sweeney's wife, has the barber unjustly exiled. After many years, Sweeney returns
to London, desperate for vengeance. He discovers, to his horror, that his daughter Johanna (soprano Celena Shafer,
debut) is now the ward of Judge Turpin, and the judge intends to marry her himself. Madness gradually overtakes
Sweeney as his loathing of the judge turns to a desire for blood - the judge's and everyone else's! He joins forces
with a resourceful pie-baker, Mrs. Lovett (mezzo-soprano Judith Christin, role debut), who cooks his victims into
her meat pies. Their scheme leads inexorably to a harrowing conclusion. Also crucial to the drama are the sailor
Anthony (baritone Nathan Gunn), who loves Johanna; Sweeney's rival and first victim, the flamboyant barber
Pirelli (tenor Bonaventura Bottone); the enigmatic Beggar Woman (soprano Sheri Greenawald); and Mrs.
Lovett's vulnerable young assistant, Tobias (tenor David Cangelosi).

The entire artistic team for this new production will be debuting at Lyric Opera: conductor Paul Gemignani, stage
director Neil Armfield, set designer Brian Thomson , costume designer Tess Schofield, and lighting designer
Rory Dempster.

The new Lyric Opera production is made possible by gifts from the Port, Washlow and Errant families; The
Boeing Company, and Howard A. Stotler. Sweeney Todd is a part of Lyric Opera's American Horizons
initiative, with major support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and AT&T.
 
 

THAIS / Jules Massenet - New production
Dec. 14, 18, 21; Jan. 6, 9 (ma.), 11, 14, 17,22,26 (ma.); in French with projected English titles

Jules Massenet's exotic Thaïs has been produced at Lyric Opera only once before -when Leontyne Price sang
the title role in 1959. This work, a magnificent vehicle for a charismatic soprano and baritone, is the story of a
courtesan-actress and the monk who attempts to lead her to the life of the spirit. The fanatical Athanaël (baritone
Thomas Hampson, Lyric and role debut) is appalled by the hedonistic life of the beautiful Thaïs (soprano Renèe
Fleming,in her first staged performances of this role). Athanaël leaves the monastery of Palémon (bass-baritone
Stephen Morscheck), journeys to the home of his friend Nicias (tenor Donald Kaasch), Thaïs's current lover,
where he encounters Thaïs herself. His angry words arouse disillusion in her, and she allows him to lead her
to a remote convent. He returns there, having realized he is in love with her, but she dies transfigured in one
of the most magnificent final scenes in opera.

The new production will be conducted by Sir Andrew Davis and staged by John Cox, with set and costume
designs by Paul Brown (debut). The lighting designer is Duane Schuler.

The new Lyric Opera production is made possible by gifts from Mr. and Mrs. J.
Christopher Reyes, Reyes Holdings, L.L.C., and an Anonymous Donor.
 

LA TRAVIATA / Giuseppe Verdi
Jan. 18,21 (ma.), 24, 27, 31, Feb. 4; Mar. 5,8,12 (ma.), 15 (ma.), 17, 21; in Italian with projected English titles
Produced in 11 previous seasons at Lyric between 1954 and 1998-99, Giuseppe Verdi's exquisite romantic drama
(premiered in 1853) has as its central figure one of the most appealing operatic heroines of all time. Violetta
Valery (soprano Alexandra von der Weth, Jan. 18-Feb. 4; soprano Patrizia Ciofi, debut, Mar. 5-2 1) is a
courtesan of fragile health living in Paris. There a young man from the country, Alfredo Germont (tenor Frank
Lopardo, Jan. 18-Feb. 4; tenor Jonas Kaufmann,Mar. 5-21) falls in love with her. They live together blissfully
until Aifredo's father Germont (baritone Roberto Frontali, debut, Jan. 18-Feb. 4; baritone Kim JosepHson,
Mar. 5-2 1) insists that Violetta give up his son for the sake of their family. Violetta's heartbroken decision to
do so leads to a catastrophic misunderstanding between the lovers, but Alfredo returns to Violetta. They have
time only for a brief, ecstatic reunion before she dies.

Thor Steingraber (debut) will stage direct the production conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, with sets and costumes
designed by Desmond Heeley, lighting by Christine Binder, and choreography by Peggy Hickey. The original
Frank Galati production was first seen in 1993-94.

The Gramma Fisher Foundation of Marshalltown, Iowa, production. The Lyric Opera revival of La traviata is
made possible by Sonia and William Florian, and the American Express Performing Arts Fund.
 
 

PARTENOPE / George Frideric Handel - Lyric Opera premiere
Feb. 1, 5, 8 (ma.), 11, 14, 17, 22, 26 (ma.); Mar. 1, 6; in Italian with projected English titles

The 2lst of the 40 operas George Frideric Handel wrote for London theaters, Partenope (pronounced par-TEN-o-pay;
world premiere 1730) is a romantic comedy on the amorous intrigues of the Queen of Naples. Lyric's premiere
performances are distinguished by the casting of two widely heralded countertenors (male alto voices) in two
of the male principal roles. Countertenors today often take on roles that in Handel's time were created by castrati,
and until comparatively recently were generally cast with female altos or mezzo-sopranos.

Partenope (soprano Elizabeth Futral) is pursued by three suitors: Prince Arsace of Corinth (countertenor
David Daniels, debut), Prince Armindo of Rhodes (countertenor Bejun Mehta, debut), and Prince Emilio of
Cuma (tenor Kurt Streit). Matters get more complicated with the appearance of Arsace 's betrothed, the virtuous
Rosmira (mezzo-soprano Patricia Bardon, debut). The cast is completed by Oromonte (bass-baritone
Mark S. Doss), captain of Partenope 's guard.

The production's conductor Harry Bicket, stage director Francesco Negrin, and lighting designer Robert Wierzel
will all be making their Lyric debuts. The stage designs are by John Conklin (sets) and Paul Steinberg (costumes).
The scenery and costumes were originally created for Glimmerglass Opera and the New York City Opera.

The Lyric Opera presentation is made possible by the National Endowment for~the
Arts.
 

UN BALL0 IN MASCHERA (A MASKED BALL) / Giuseppe Verdi -
New production Feb. 15, 19, 23 (ma.), 27; Mar. 3, 7, 11, 14, 18, 22; in Italian with projected English titles

One of the most significant works of Giuseppe Verdi's middle period, A Masked Ball (Un ballo in maschera)
has been produced in ten different seasons at Lyric since 1955. A thrilling blend of love, betrayal, and revenge,
this opera has as its hero the ruler Riccardo (tenor Neil Shicoff). He is in love with Amelia (soprano Veronica
Villarroel, debut), wife of his secretary and best friend, Renato (baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky). With his page
Oscar (soprano Maria Kanyova), Riccardo visits the fortuneteller Ulrica (contralto Larissa Diadkova, debut),
who reveals that Riccardo will be killed by the next person who shakes his hand. Riccardo is amused,
especially when that person turns out to be Renato - but Ulrica's prediction comes true in the end.
 

Mark Elder will conduct the new production, to be staged by Olivier Tambosi and designed by Frank Philipp
Schlössmann, with lighting by Duane Schuler. (The latter three created Lyric's rollicking new production of
Falstaff in 1999/2000.)

The new Lyric Opera production of Un ballo in maschera is made possible by The Gramma Fisher
Foundation of Marshalltown, Iowa.
 

The Opening Night Gala performance of Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci begins at 7:00 p.m. sharp on
Saturday, September 21. Evening performances of the 2002 / 2003 season begin at 7:30 sharp and matinee
performances begin at 2:00 p.m. sharp, except for Die Walküre, whose evening performances will begin at
6:30 p.m. sharp, and whose matinee will begin at 1:30 p.m. sharp.
 

Subscription and single-ticket brochures are available on request by calling 3 12-332-2244, ext. 5600.
Information is also available at Lyric's website:  www.lyricopera.org
 

BY TRAIN
The Civic Opera House is conveniently located near both Union Train
Station and the Richard Ogilvie Transportation Center (formerly
Northwestern Station). Union Station is bound by the following
streets: Clinton (west); Canal (east); Jackson (south); and Adams
(north). The Ogilvie Transportation Center is bound by the following
streets: Clinton (west); Canal (east); Madison (south)/ main entrance;
and Washington (north). For additional information, including train
schedules, contact METRA Train Information/Passenger
Services at (312) 322-6777.

Please take advantage of the special opera rates

101 South Wacker
Madison-Wells
215 West Washington
Monroe & Wells
77 South Wacker
Randolph & Franklin
Franklin & Lake
500 West Monroe
319 West Randolph
25 South Wacker
150 North Wacker
100 North Riverside
300 West Monroe
10-30 South Wacker
Madison-Clinton
Washington-Madison-Wells
1 South Wacker
30 North Wells
1 South Wacker
Washington & Franklin

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