Other members of the cast are… tenor Michael Hendrick, who is appearing at Lyric for the first time.
by Earl Calloway
The long-anticipated debut of Sir Andrew Davis as the new artistic director of Lyric Opera of Chicago finally arrived on opening night at the Civic Opera House recently, with international opera stars and Lyric’s own orchestra and chorus.
Sir Andrew has conducted before in Chicago, however, his ultra-refined conducting of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” certainly secures his place as a major conductor of the world.
He brought together the musical components of the opera based on Black Russian Alexander Pushkin’s literary work with extreme excellence, a sensitive musicianship and breathtaking virtuosity. In fact from Act One to Act Three, the opera overflowing with passion and suspense was fiercely awesome.
Principals in “The Queen of Spade” are tenor Vladimir Galouzine as Ghermann, the army officer obsessed with learning a secret of winning at cards that is known only by the Countess sung by mezzo-soprano Felicity Palmer.
He is also “hung up” on Lisa, the countess’s granddaughter Lisa. Soprano Katarina Dalayman is also making her Lyric debut.
Other members of the cast are baritone Bo Skovhus as Prince Yeletsky, Lisa’s fiance; Count Tomsky, baritone Nikolai Putlin acquaints the Countess’s mysterious past to Ghermann; Lisa’s friend Pauline, mezzo-soprano Nancy Maultsby, Lisa’s governess, mezzo-soprano Susan Nicely in her Lyric debut; and Ghermann’s fellow officer Tchekalinsky, tenor Michael Hendrick, who also is appearing at Lyric for the first time.
Galouzine is a firm assertive singer who provides a convincing interpretation with uncommon musical interest.
In her role as Countess, Palmer utilized her rich, luxurious voice and artistic capabilities to dominate the opera with extraordinary originality of her character.
The scenery and costumes were spectacular. The Chorus was fabulous and its members sang as one voice, while the Chicago Children’s Choir lent its expertise to the production.
ANOTHER LYRIC PREMIERE IS “The Great Gatsby” scheduled for Monday, Oct. 2 and continuing through Oct. 6, 11, 15 (mat), 19, 23, 28, 31 and Nov. 3.
John Harrison’s “The Great Gatsby,” made its premiere at the Metropolitan Opera last season.
American tenor Jerry Hadley appears in the title role of the debonair and fascinating Jay Gatsby that has been extremely popular through the novel of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Soprano Dawn Upshaw portrays Daisy Buchanan, a married woman with whom Gatsby rekindles an old romance.
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