'Manon' opens Lyric season with real star quality

It seems like yesterday the music of Lyric Opera of Chicago's final production last season of Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin" faded into silence.

But time moves fast in the world of opera, and six months later, the Lyric's 54th season is here. The curtain will rise at 6 p.m. Saturday for the gala opening-night performance of Jules Massenet's "Manon," the first of eight productions running through March 28.

"Manon," one of French romantic opera's magical high points (only "Carmen" and "Faust" have had more performances over the years in Paris), brings real star quality to the Ardis Krainik Theatre stage. The international cast includes the dynamic French soprano Natalie Dessay in the title role and tenor Jonas Kauffmann as the Chevalier des Grieux. Emmanuel Villaume will conduct

This production was mounted by stage director David McVicar for the English National Opera and subsequently seen in Barcelona, Spain, with Dessay and tenor Rolando Villazon (des Grieux) heading that revival, the latter available as a DVD on the Virgin Classics label.

"We have had great success with David McVicar's productions over the years," said Lyric Opera general director William Mason, listing last year's "Julius Caesar," along with the critically praised "Il trovatore" in 2006-07 and "Billy Budd" in 2001-02.

"I can't think of a better way to open the season," Mason said. "The sets and costumes (designed by Tanya McCallin) are visually stunning, and with Natalie Dessay and Jonas Kauffman heading the cast, what more could you ask?"

Dessay's stunning interpretation of the title role in "Lucia di Lammermoor" in 2004 is still being talked about by Lyric Opera subscribers. Now, she's back in what has become a signature role.

"I remember seeing her do 'Manon' for the first time in Geneva," Mason said. "Since then, she's taken the role on, and she's really terrific."

Mason is equally enthusiastic about Kauffman, one of the finest all-around tenors in the world today. He made his American debut as Cassio in the Lyric's production of Verdi's "Otello" in 2001.

"Following 'Otello,' he came back for 'La Traviata' in the 2002-03 season, so this is his third opera with us," Mason said. "He's certainly having a major career."

Speaking of major careers, the Lyric's second opera this season also features artists on that exalted level. Opening Oct. 6, George Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers" has a dynamic cast headed by baritone Nathan Gunn as Zurga, leader of the pearl fishers of the title; and soprano Nicole Cabell as Leila.

Gunn, a member of the music faculty at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, was sensational in the title role of Benjamin Britten's "Billy Budd" at the Lyric in 2001-02, and he regularly performs major baritone roles at New York's Metropolitan Opera. Cabell, an alumna of the Lyric's Ryan Center for American Artists, won the prestigious Cardiff (Wales) Singer of the World competition in 2005. She starred here last season as Musetta in "La Boheme."

The third character in Bizet's passionate love triangle is Nadir, sung by tenor Eric Cutler. The Lyric last presented "The Pearl Fishers" in the 1997-98 season. It's the same production, but most of the scenery has been rebuilt. Conducting this revival will be John Mauceri.

"Obviously, 'The Pearl Fishers' doesn't get done as much as Bizet's 'Carmen,'" Mason said, "but then again, what does? It's a charming piece. It's got some terrific stuff in it, and of course, there is the famous duet: a nice, rousing tenor-baritone duet. People just love this opera."

Following this opening month of French repertoire, the remainder of the Lyric's 2008-09 season continues with its traditional blend of operatic styles, periods and national origins.

Including the opening pair of French operas (along with the late-season verismo Italian double bill of "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "I Pagliacci") there are eight productions encompassing nine operas this season. Three are by Austrian or German composers (Alban Berg's "Lulu," Richard Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" and Mozart's "Abduction from the Seraglio"), there's a third opera from Italy (Giacomo Puccini's "Madama Butterfly") and the long-awaited Lyric Opera premiere of George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess," the latter with 13 performances mid-November to mid-December.

One of this season's operas is from the 18th century, six from the 19th century, with a pair of 20th century works. "We always strive for a balanced season, and I think we've achieved that," Mason said.

Additional highlights:

• "Lulu," opening Nov. 7: Alban Berg's dramatic musical interpretation of the Jack the Ripper story, has a cast headed by soprano Marla Peterson in the title role and baritone Wolfgang Schöne in his Lyric Opera debut as Dr. Schön (Jack the Ripper). Sir Andrew Davis will conduct this new production, designed by Kevin Knight.

• "Porgy and Bess," opening Nov. 18: Because there are 13 performances over a one-month span, the Lyric will use double casts for the major parts, many reprising their roles from this production's premiere at the Washington National Opera and its subsequent showing at Los Angeles Opera. Sharing the role of Porgy are bass-baritones Gordon Hawkins and Lester Lynch, who will sing opposite sopranos Morenike Fadayomi and Lisa Daltrius as Bess. All four are making their Lyric Opera debuts, as is conductor John DeMain.

• "Madama Butterfly," opening Dec. 13: The acclaimed Clarke Dunham-designed production from 1982 will be back for its fifth go-round (Cio-Cio-San's home sits on a turntable, shown in different perspectives with each scene change). The title role goes this time to American soprano Patricia Racette, who earned rave notices here two seasons ago as Madame Lidoine in 'Dialogues of the Carmelites.'

Tenor Frank Lopardo will add Pinkerton to his ever-expanding list of Italian roles at the Lyric since his debut here in 1988. Sir Andrew Davis will be on the podium.

• "Tristan und Isolde," opening Jan. 27: Wagner's legendary music-drama has a cast headed by Chicago-area native Deborah Voigt, whose Isolde has been world-acclaimed since she first performed it in Vienna earlier this decade. Voigt's artistry at the Lyric has been front and center with recent triumphs in two Richard Strauss operas, the title role in "Salome" and the Empress in "Die Frau one Schatten."

Clifton Forbis, one of the new generation of heldentenors, will portray Tristan, and Davis will add another Wagner opera to his growing list as music director at the Lyric. This is a typically color-splashed David Hockney production that has been seen in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

• "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "I Pagliacci," opening Feb. 14: The two one-act potboilers will, for "Cav.," feature mezzo-sopranos Guang Yang and Dolora Zajick splitting the role of Santuzza, and tenors Carlo Ventre and Vincenzo La Scola doing likewise as Turiddu. For "Pag," tenor Vladimir Galouzine will portray Canio and baritone Mark Delavan will be Tonio in the Michael Yeargan-designed production, which opened the 2002-03 season.

• "Abduction from the Seraglio," opening March 2: The Mozart singspiel (blending sung and spoken roles), seen in August in a semi-staged version at the Ravinia Festival, will bring down the curtain on the Lyric's season. Sir Andrew Davis will conduct his fourth opera of the season, leading a cast headed by tenor Matthew Polenzani as the Spanish nobleman Belmonte, soprano Erin Wall as Konstanze and bass Andrea Silvestrelli as Osmin. This new production's authentic 16th century period sets and costumes were designed by David Zinn.

Lyric Opera of Chicago

What: 54th season, opening Saturday and running through March 28.

Where: Ardis Krainik Theatre in the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive at Madison St., Chicago.

Curtain times: Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m., with "Tristan und Isolde" at 6 p.m. Matinees are at 2 p.m. ("Tristan und Isolde at 1 p.m.). Saturday's opening-night gala has a special curtain time of 6 p.m. For a season calendar of performances, visit lyricopera.org,

Parking: Available for special evening rates in garages and outdoor lots within walking distance of the Civic Opera House.

Tickets: Subject to availability, but tickets remain for most performances, particularly on weeknights. Visit lyricopera.org for price information and to order with major credit cards. Prices are based on seat location (main floor, first balcony, second balcony) and day of week (weekend prices are higher).

Enjoying opera: The Lyric's education department has published "Season Companion 2008-09," a 96-page softcover book with general facts, synopses of the operas, background on the composers and librettists, pronunciation guides, along with recommended video and audio recordings and reference books. You can also purchase "Commentaries on CD," featuring insights by opera experts, along with musical examples. Also, a "Discovery Series" of one-night panel discussions with cast members are held from 6-7 p.m., usually the week of each opera's opening. They are in the UBS Tower Ballroom at 1 Wacker Drive, across the street from the Civic Opera House lobby entrance. Note that the "Porgy and Bess" symposium will be 2-4 p.m. Nov. 16 at Northwestern University's Thorne Auditorium, 375 E. Chicago Ave. (Chicago Avenue at Lake Shore Drive For more information, or to purchase any of the above items, visit lyricopera.org and click on the "Education" link.)