Witness the Tragic Fate of Verdi’s Luisa Miller

Verdi’s heart-wrenching romantic drama Luisa Miller returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago for the first time in more than three decades.

Enrique Mazzola, Lyric’s music director designate, is conducting. There will be six performances through October 31st. Tickets start at $39 for adults and $20 for children. These performances mark an exciting opportunity to experience a largely unfamiliar work by a well-known and beloved composer.

The opera’s libretto by Salvadore Cammarano is based on the play Kabale und Liebe by the German dramatist Friedrich von Schiller. Luisa Miller has been presented only once previously in Lyric’s 65-year history, during the 1982 season.

The Local Tourist received tickets for two to the October 16th performance of Luisa Miller compliments of Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Star-crossed love, betrayal, revenge – they are all part of this thrillingly dramatic opera. When sweet, vulnerable Luisa falls in love with the son of a powerful count, the heroine and hero confront desperate circumstances and life-changing decisions. Verdi’s music captivates with its beauty and blazers with passion. Grab your chance to discover the masterpiece of romantic Italian opera that is Luisa Miller.

The production features an outstanding international cast of acclaimed Verdian artists. Bulgarian soprano Krassimira Stoyanova is sweet, vulnerable Luisa, who loves and is loved by Rodolfo (Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja), the son of ruthless, unethical nobleman Count Walter (American bass-baritone Christian Van Horn/Ryan Opera Center alumnus) whom Luisa’s own father Miller (American baritone Quinn Kelsey/Ryan Opera Center alumnus) loathes.

To keep the lovers apart, Walter employs the help of his retainer Wurm (American bass Soloman Howard/Lyric debut), who wants to marry Luisa himself. An arranged marriage between Rodolfo and Duchess Federica (Russian mezzo-soprano Alisa Kolosova) further complicates Luisa and Rodolfo’s desperate situation.

Lyric’s music director designate, Enrique Mazzola, is a lauded expert in conducting early Verdi. Luisa Miller marks the first installment of Lyric’s Early Verdi Series, to be presented over the coming years and to be conducted by Maestro Mazzola.

The production of Luisa Miller is directed by Francesca Zambello, with open, evocative set designs by Michael Yeargan, traditional-period costume designs by Dunya Ramicova, and dramatic lighting design by Mark McCullough. Lyric’s chorus master is Michael Black, and August Tye is the choreographer for this presentation.

Luisa Miller is now playing at the Lyric Opera of Chicago located at Civic Opera House, 20 North Wacker Drive.

Tickets are available here.

Photos: Todd Rosenberg