October 12. 2019 - October 31. 2019

Swipe

October 12. 2019 - October 31. 2019

- Overview
- Videos
- Audio
- Articles
- Synopsis
- Artists

New-to-Chicago Production Luisa Miller

Verdi’s sumptuously beautiful romantic drama tells the story of sweet, vulnerable Luisa, who loves Rodolfo, the son of a ruthless, unethical nobleman whom Luisa’s own father loathes. The young couple’s relationship leads to catastrophe in a drama that breathes passion and excitement. Memorable arias (including “Quando le sere al placido,” one of the composer’s greatest tenor hits), breathtaking duets, and thrilling ensembles abound in this tale of star-crossed love and violent jealousy. Lyric’s first presentation of this electrifying work in more than three decades will be a feast for all devotees of Verdi and Italian opera.

Language: Sung in Italian with projected English translations
Running Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes with 1 intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House

Swipe

If this is the level of vocal work we can expect from Mazzola, there could be musical riches ahead.”

Chicago Tribune

Bulgarian soprano Krassimira Stoyanova and Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja can deliver both the floridity and intensity of difficult musical passages while participating fully in the passionate pendulum swings of love sought, betrayed and consummated only in death.”

Chicago Sun-Times

To hear Stoyanova, Kolosova, Van Horn and Howard weave such intricate counterpoint sans orchestra – all the while breathing and phrasing as one – was to realize anew the vocal caliber of this production.”

Chicago Tribune

Beautiful singing it is!”

Picture This Post

Vocal tour de force.”

Chicago Tribune

Mazzola’s elegant, wholly authoritative way with “Luisa Miller” clinches the case: Lyric general director Anthony Freud has made a choice that’s more than auspicious; it is very exciting.”

Chicago on the Aisle

The Lyric Opera Chorus sounded splendid – full and plush.”

Chicago Tribune

When the music stopped, the curtain still in place, the house erupted in a boisterous ovation that rang of “Hey, this is our new guy. This is going to be really good.”

Chicago on the Aisle

Luisa Miller videos

Swipe

Verdi's Luisa Miller at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Maestro Enrique Mazzola on Luisa Miller and Lyric Opera's Early Verdi Series

Christian Van Horn on Luisa Miller

Meet the Cast of Verdi's Luisa Miller

An Invitation from Enrique Mazzola to see Luisa Miller

Luisa Miller

By Giuseppe Verdi

Performed by Carlo Bergonzi; Fausto Cleva; Anna Moffo; Ezio Flagello; Cornell MacNeil; Giorgio Tozzi; Shirley Verrett

Courtesy of Sony Masterworks
By arrangement with SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

"Overture"

0:00 /0:00

"Ah! fu giusto il mio sospetto!"

0:00 /0:00

"Fra' mortali ancora oppressa"

0:00 /0:00

Luisa Miller

By Giuseppe Verdi

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2019/20 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
Music courtesy of Sony Masterworks. By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment.
A project of the Women’s Board.

Commentary by Roger Pines, Dramaturg

0:00 /0:00

Luisa Miller articles

Swipe

Luisa Miller: The Director Speaks

Not since 1982 has Lyric produced Giuseppe Verdi's glorious Luisa Miller, but now it's back at last, in a production by one of the world's most highly respected directors, Francesca Zambello.

Verdi, Opera's "Soul Man"

Giuseppe Verdi! When it comes to operas that make the most powerful emotions live onstage, there's no one like him. When his Luisa Miller makes its eagerly awaited return to Lyric, audiences will be overwhelmed by the music, which truly exemplifies Verdi at his best.

A Blaze of Excitement: The Joys of Early Verdi

Lyric is about to move into an area of the repertoire that will be full of special discoveries for our audience – the earlier operas of the great Giuseppe Verdi. Lyric will introduce a new generation of attendees to the glories of works that aren't encountered as often as they deserve and offer listeners immense rewards.

The stupendous Krassimira Stoyanova

One reason for Luisa Miller's rarity is the challenge of finding the right singer for the title role. We're excited to welcome back as Luisa the world-renowned Bulgarian soprano Krassimira Stoyanova, currently at the peak of her triumphant career.

Synopsis

Time mid-19th century | Place Tyrol

Luisa, the daughter of an old soldier, is in love with a young man she knows as Carlo but who is actually Rodolfo, son of the local lord, Count Walter. The two lovers proclaim undying fidelity, but Miller, Luisa’s father, is dubious. His fears are confirmed when Walter’s retainer, Wurm, who also loves Luisa and hopes to marry her, reveals Rodolfo’s true identity.

In Walter’s castle, Wurm tells his master of Rodolfo’s love for Luisa. Walter resolves to break up their relationship because it is in his interests to have his son marry his niece, the widowed Duchess Federica. Left alone with Federica, Rodolfo confesses to her that he loves another, but the duchess, who has worshiped him since childhood, refuses to break their engagement

At home, Miller tells Luisa that Carlo is in fact Rodolfo and that he has deceived her, intending to marry a wealthy woman. The young man, however, arrives to plead the sincerity of his love. When Walter storms in and is about to have both Luisa and her father sent to prison, Rodolfo secures their freedom by threatening to reveal how his father, with Wurm’s assistance, murdered his cousin to gain his present position.
Luisa learns that her father, who sprang to her defense after Walter called her a whore, has been jailed for insulting the Count. Wurm tells her the only way she can save Miller is to write a letter admitting she sought Rodolfo for his wealth, and pledging herself to Wurm. After doing his bidding, she learns she must go to the castle and declare her love for him before the duchess.

Wurm presents Luisa’s letter to Walter, and the two plot to send it to Rodolfo. Wurm then brings in Luisa. Goaded on with threats by Wurm and Walter against her father, she professes her love for Wurm to Federica. Rodolfo receives Luisa’s letter in the castle courtyard. In despair, he is about to attack Wurm when Walter appears and persuades him that marrying Federica will be the best way for him to avenge Luisa’s treachery
After returning home from prison, Miller tries to comfort Luisa and realizes that she plans to commit suicide; he persuades her against it. The two agree to leave the village the next day. As Luisa prays, Rodolfo appears and pours a vial of poison into a decanter on the table. He confronts Luisa with the letter. When she cannot deny she wrote it, Rodolfo asks her to pour him a drink. When she says it tastes bitter, she swallows some, too. Rodolfo tells Luisa the cup was poisoned, and she, released from her vow, tells him the truth. As Luisa dies in Miller’s arms, Rodolfo shoots Wurm and dies.

Program book

Go inside this production of Luisa Miller with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

VIEW DIGITAL PROGRAM BOOK

Meet the artists

Krassimira Stoyanova

Luisa Miller

The Bulgarian soprano Krassimira Stoyanova is an internationally celebrated Verdian. Her Lyric credits include the title role of Luisa Miller in Lyric's 2019|20 production.

Learn More
Joseph Calleja

Rodolfo

Calleja made his Luisa Miller role debut in Hamburg, and triumphed in the role at Lyric (2019|20)

Learn More
Quinn Kelsey

Miller

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

Hawaiian baritone Quinn Kelsey's credits include over 18 roles at Lyric since 2003/04.

Learn More
Christian Van Horn

Walter

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

The American bass-baritone, a Ryan Opera Center alumnus and winner of the 2018 Richard Tucker Award has appeared in many roles on Lyric's stage.

Learn More
Soloman Howard

Wurm

A graduate of Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, a program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Soloman Howard garners high praise from the press for his vivid performances on the great opera and concert stages of the world.

Learn More
Alisa Kolosova

Federica

Russian mezzo-soprano Alisa Kolosova's Lyric credits include Federica/Luisa Miller (2019|20).

Learn More
Enrique Mazzola

Conductor

As of July 1, 2021, Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola is music director of Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is only the third person to serve in this capacity at Lyric, following the tenures of Sir Andrew Davis and the late Bruno Bartoletti.

Learn More
Francesca Zambello

Director

The American director is internationally recognized in both opera and theater.

Learn More
Michael Yeargan

Set Designer

He has created sets (and sometimes costumes) for many major American companies, among them the Metropolitan Opera (12 productions to date) and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, and Washington opera companies, as well as the Glimmerglass Festival, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, Frankfurt Opera, and Opera Australia.

Learn More
Dunya Ramicova

Costume Designer

Designer Dunya Ramicova's Lyric credits include Luisa Miller (2019|20); Doctor Atomic (2007|08).

Learn More
Mark McCullough

Lighting Designer

Mark McCullough's Lyric credits include West Side Story (2018|19) and Porgy and Bess (2008|09, 2014|15).

Learn More
August Tye

Choreographer

American dancer-choreographer August Tye has participated in 39 Lyric Opera productions

Learn More
Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

Learn More