Number One on the Chicago Classical Review’s Choices for ‘Top Ten Performances of 2019’ is the Lyric Opera’s Don Giovanni which James conducted. Here’s what they said about that production:
It didn’t look promising for Lyric Opera’s revival of Mozart’s Don Giovanni when Ildar Abdrazakov pulled out of the title role shortly before rehearsals were to begin. Fortunately, Lucas Meachem was available to take over, and with this fine American baritone leading the way, Lyric delivered a Don Giovanni for the ages in November.
Rarely will one experience as stellar an ensemble lineup in this notoriously hard-to-cast opera, all working together seamlessly and delivering the cynical humor as well as the moral twilight of Mozart’s dramma giocoso with equal relish: Meachem, Matthew Rose (Leporello), Amanda Majeski (Donna Elvira) Rachel Willis-Sørensen (Donna Anna), Mika Kares (Commendatore), Ben Bliss (Don Ottavio), Ying Fang (Zerlina) and Brandon Cedel (Masetto)—the last five all making their company debuts. Robert Falls’ fluent, stylish staging remains theatrical titanium and James Gaffigan delivered a seminar in Mozart opera conducting, just as he did with Lyric’s Così fan tutte in 2018.
Read all of the picks here.
