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Lyric stages powerful operatic premiere of 'Bel Canto'

Recent terrorist attacks around the globe have given the world premiere of "Bel Canto" at the Lyric Opera of Chicago an unintended timeliness. But this superlative first-time operatic collaboration by Peruvian composer Jimmy López and Cuban-American librettist Nilo Cruz - featuring gun-toting terrorists taking international officials and party guests hostage - has its roots both in fact and fiction.

The opera was based on Ann Patchett's 2001 best-selling novel "Bel Canto," which was inspired by the Peruvian hostage crisis of 1996 and '97. The story makes for a powerfully gripping and tense drama, particularly in the first act when terrorists from the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) - led by generals Alfred (Rafael Davila) and Benjamin (Bradley Smoak) - burst in and take over the mansion of Peruvian Vice President Rubén Iglesias (William Burden). It goes down in the middle of a reception honoring Japanese electronics mogul Katsumi Hosokawa (Jeongcheol Cha), who only attended because his favorite opera singer, the glamorous American Roxane Coss (Danielle de Niese), was to perform.

Things settle down somewhat in Act II as the monthslong hostage crisis allows the captors and their prisoners to create an unlikely idyll within the mansion - despite the warnings of Red Cross intermediary Joachim Messner (Jacques Imbrailo). Romances blossom, notably between the terrorist Carmen (J'nai Bridges) and Hosokawa's translator Gen Watanabe (Andrew Stenson), while Coss inspires the terrorist César (countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo) to have ambitions to become a professional singer.

The second half gives López the chance to let his melodic gifts soar in a slew of lovely arias and duets as characters come to question their motives and newfound passions. These beautiful moments allow projection designer Greg Emetaz and lighting designer Duane Schuler to visually transport audiences far away from the trashed mansion of set designer David Korins.

If the creators of "Bel Canto" want to revise the work for future productions, they might consider toning down Lopez's ominous choral opening, which foreshadows the upcoming terror a bit too heavily. Also, some of Cruz's lyrics come off as too obtuse. And the sheer number of characters makes "Bel Canto" feel a tad too busy at times.

But the Lyric should be proud of director Kevin Newbury's impeccably acted production and conductor Sir Andrew Davis' fine command of the Lyric Opera Orchestra. It's not often that opera is made to feel current and relevant in America, but "Bel Canto" - with all its horror and humanity - certainly succeeds.

MRTA terrorist Carmen (J'nai Bridges) looks on as Japanese CEO Katsumi Hosokawa (Jeongcheol Cha) and American soprano Roxane Coss (Danielle de Niese) share a tender moment in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's world premiere of “Bel Canto” by composer Jimmy López and librettist Nilo Cruz. The opera inspired by Ann Patchett's 2001 novel continues through Sunday, Jan. 17. Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg Photography/Lyric Opera of Chicago
MRTA terrorist César (Anthony Roth Costanzo) reflects on the sounds of the Peruvian jungles from his childhood in Act II of the Lyric Opera of Chicago's world premiere of “Bel Canto” by composer Jimmy Lopez and librettist Nilo Cruz. The opera inspired by Ann Patchett's novel continues through Sunday, Jan. 17. Courtesy of Andrew Cioffi/Lyric Opera of Chicago
MRTA terrorist leader General Alfredo (Rafael Davila, center) shows a photo of his imprisoned wife to the hostages of Peruvian Vice President, Ruben Iglesias (William Burden, left), Father Arguedas (Takaoki Onishi) and American soprano Roxane Coss (Danielle de Niese) in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's world premiere of “Bel Canto.” Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg Photography/Lyric Opera of Chicago
Red Cross representative Joachim Messner (Jacques Imbrailo, right) tries to warn the Peruvian vice president, Ruben Iglesias (William Burden, center) and his MRTA captors (actor Eduardo Xavier Curley-Carrillo, with tie) and Carmen (J'nai Bridges, right) in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's world premiere of “Bel Canto.” Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg Photography/Lyric Opera of Chicago

“Bel Canto”

★ ★ ★ ½

Location: Lyric Opera of Chicago at Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, (312) 827-5600 or

lyricopera.org

Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 12, Jan. 5 and 13, and 2 p.m. Jan. 8 and 17

Tickets: $20-$349

Running time: About three hours, with intermission. Sung in English, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, German, French, Latin and Quechua with projected English translations.

Parking: Area pay garages and limited street parking

Rating: For teens and older; contains violence and bloodshed

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