Lyric Opera of Chicago Podcasts

The young Korean tenor Yonghoon Lee has enjoyed a spectacular rise to international prominence. This season alone includes his debuts at Lyric Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, and La Scala. In a conversation with Lyric dramaturg Roger Pines, he discusses Don Jose in Carmen, which introduces him to Lyric audiences this season after he triumphed in the role at Glyndebourne, Berlin, Hamburg, and Amsterdam.

American soprano Elaine Alvarez has developed an impressive international career (Munich, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Genoa, Athens, and more) since she first appeared at Lyric three seasons ago. She's returning to Lyric this season as Micaela in Carmen. Here, speaking with Lyric dramaturg Roger Pines, she discusses that role, while also explaining what brought her to singing and reminiscing about the circumstances of her eleventh-hour Lyric debut as Mimi in La boheme.

Acclaimed American bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen, Escamillo in this season's Carmen, joins celebrated French conductor Alain Altinoglu for an illuminating discussion of Bizet's richly melodic and powerfully dramatic masterpiece.

German dramatic soprano Nadja Michael, making her eagerly awaited debut as Lady Macbeth, is a star of La Scala, Covent Garden, the Vienna Staatsoper, Munich's Bayerische Staatsoper (where she recently premiered a new Macbeth). Here she speaks with Lyric dramaturg Roger Pines about all aspects of Lyric's production of Verdi's opera, and also discusses her own remarkable one-woman "theatrical recital," Orlando Misterioso.

The brilliantly imaginative Chicago-based choreographer Harrison McEldowney, who is making his Lyric debut with Macbeth, speaks about his contribution to this new production and discusses other major highlights of his fascinatingly varied career. Lyric Opera dramaturg Roger Pines is host.

The young Italian-American tenor Leonardo Capalbo, whose portrayal of Macduff marks his Lyric debut, has won successes in major houses throughout Europe and America. Here he speaks with Lyric Opera dramaturg Roger Pines about his role in Macbeth, other experiences he's had singing Verdi, and the breadth of his repertoire.

South African dramatic tenor Johan Botha, a true master-singer and hugely acclaimed worldwide portraying the heroes of Wagner, returns to Lyric Opera in the title role of Lohengrin.

Handel's Hercules will mark the return to Lyric of the sensational English mezzo-soprano Alice Coote, who will star in the formidable role of Dejanira.

American mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, acclaimed as one of the most thrilling singers of our time, sings Ulrica in A Masked Ball and then Katisha in The Mikado in her Lyric debut season.

Tenor Marcello Giordani, one of Italy's greatest stars and a huge favorite at the Metropolitan Opera, makes his long-awaited return to Lyric as Dick Johnson in The Girl of the Golden West.

The magnificent American baritone Thomas Hampson, a great favorite of Chicago audiences, is returning to Lyric this season in one of his most celebrated characterizations, the title role of Macbeth. Here he discusses the role in depth with Mark Travis, producer of Lyric's broadcasts.

Thomas Hampson continues his illuminating conversation with Mark Travis about the challenges he finds in the music and character of Macbeth.

Introducing German soprano NADJA MICHAEL, a provocative and totally riveting singing actress who makes her eagerly awaited Lyric debut as the leading lady of Lyric's new Macbeth.

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center was established in 1974 as the professional artist-development program for Lyric Opera of Chicago. In this podcast, host Roger Pines interviews soprano Amber Wagner and baritone Corey Crider, two exceptionally gifted young artists currently completing their tenure in the program.

American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato is Backstage at Lyric! In this episode, the renowned singer discusses her role as Cherubino in Lyric's current production of The Marriage of Figaro, the challenges of singing Mozart's music, and performing at London's Covent Garden in a wheelchair! WFMT's George Preston hosts.

It's one of the great works of Western culture, and Lyric's cast is second to none. Do not miss this Discovery Series session with the delightfully engaging Danielle de Niese (Susanna) and Kyle Ketelsen (Figaro).

The American stage director, who has a long association with Lyric, is remounting Sir Peter Hall's production of The Marriage of Figaro with a new cast. Here he discusses the special qualities of this work, the most important relationships that must be presented onstage, the Beaumarchais play on which the opera was based, and the strengths of the Hall production.

The vivacious Australian-born lyric soprano, who created a sensation in her Lyric debut two seasons ago as Handel's Cleopatra, is making her eagerly awaited return to the company as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro. Here she discusses the qualities she most admires in Susanna, as well as her stage partnership in this opera with Kyle Ketelsen, her feelings regarding Figaro as a whole, and how her performances of pre-1800 repertoire has enhanced her artistry.

The renowned Polish baritone, who triumphed at Lyric two seasons ago as Tchaikovsky's Onegin, is back with the company in 2009-10 in his internationally celebrated portrayal of the Count in The Marriage of Figaro. In this podcast he explores the Count's complex character and also discusses his aria, the most challenging for a baritone in the Mozart repertoire.

The American bass-baritone, recognized worldwide as one of the most outstanding exponents of Mozart's Figaro, is singing this signature role at Lyric this season. In an interview he discusses the character of Figaro, the qualities that make a Mozart ensemble, and his own collaboration onstage with his Susanna (Danielle de Niese).