Opera and Dance Reviews

***RECOMMENDED***           It's not every day that you can say that you've attended the world premiere of an opera. When that opera happens to be created by multiple local artists and set on the South Side of Chicago during the summer of 2019, it is extremely exciting for all individuals involved. "The Factotum" was commissioned by Lyric Opera of Chicago and Houston Grand Opera. Chicagoland audiences, upon witnessing the conclusion of this fresh and insightful work, should leave the performance with a great sense of pride -- not only for our city -- but for all of the dedicated artists who assisted in bringing this opera to us. 3 AND 1/2 SPOTLIGHTS

***** Highly Recommended ***** The Joffrey Ballet’s “Chicago-centric” version of The Nutcracker, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, is quite simply magnificent. By setting The Nutcracker amidst Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, Wheeldon gave the city a unique gift.  No matter how many times I see The Nutcracker, I never get tired of the feeling of anticipation and excitement before a performance, waiting for that first chord of Tchaikovsky’s glorious music!  The Nutcracker is absolutely perfect in every way.  4 BIG Spotlights

***RECOMMENDED***   You may have heard of the old jazz standard "What a Difference a Day Makes." Well, it can also be said that more than a mere 24 hours can alter how we perceive something or how we may process it. A particular language can make a major difference as well, as evidenced with Lyric Opera of Chicago's latest "Don Carlos." This is the very first time that Lyric is presenting Verdi's epic work in the 1886 five-act version in French and the one that the composer himself believed to be the most complete. The four-act version sung in Italian is most frequently encountered and has been performed multiple times at Lyric in the past.  3 SPOTLIGHTS

***RECOMMENDED***  The American artist Georgia O'Keeffe, who is the primary subject of "The Brightness of Light," was a very complex individual. This recent work by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts (2012's "Silent Night") offers a rare glimpse into her most intimate and private thoughts, all presented in her own words. Interpreting all of O'Keeffe's text is the beloved American soprano Renee Fleming, who is currently in her twelfth year as Lyric Opera's creative consultant. Chicago audiences clearly adore Fleming and they turned out in droves to get the rare opportunity to hear her perform live in this glorious one-night only event.  3 SPOTLIGHTS