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Lyric Opera House
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Ensemble members of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago concluded an extraordinarily successful year of study and performance with the annual end-of-season Rising Stars in Concert for Lyric Opera donors on Saturday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m. The evening took place in the gorgeous Ardis Krainik Theatre of the Civic Opera House, an elegant blend of Art Nouveau and Art Deco and a draw for any opera buff. The Ryan Opera Center (previously the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists) was established in 1974 as the professional artist-development program for the world-renowned Lyric Opera. Since its beginning, the Ryan Opera Center has been recognized as one of the foremost programs of its kind in the world. That standing is maintained by providing the finest up-and-coming singers with exceptional training and experience.
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RyanThe Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center 2007-2008 Ensemble-Left to Right:(Back Row)
Meredith Arwady, Paul Corona,David Portillo, Marjorie Owens, Edward
Mout, Jordan Shanahan,
Elizabeth De Shong.
(Front Row) Bryan Griffin, Daniel Billings, Amber Wagner, Darren Stokes,
Andriana Chuchman, Phillip Dothard-photo Dan Rest
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Selected from some 400 singers who audition annually, the Ryan Opera Center ensemble members are in residence for twelve months. Over the course of the year they receive advanced instruction in operatic performance and gain valuable performing experience as they participate in recitals and concerts at many Chicago-area venues. During Lyric Opera’s mainstage season, members perform and understudy roles at all levels, giving them an extraordinary opportunity to work with the world’s greatest opera singers, conductors and directors as well as the Lyric’s orchestra and chorus.
I was fortunate to attend the annual Rising Stars in Concert and enjoyed the singing of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center singers, who were accompanied by members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Kohn.
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A beautiful place to see the Rising Stars
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Verdi arias from Ernani and Il Trovatore were stunningly delivered by Marjorie Owens and Amber Wagner. Both sopranos seemed to be able to naturally control their powerful and radiant voices, which carried effortlessly over the orchestra. Tenor David Portillo and baritone Daniel Billings gave a grand performance of the famous duet, "Au fond du temple saint," from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers.
The audience was treated to a sneak preview of a portion of Massenet’s Manon, the opera that will open the Lyric’s next season when Andriana Chuchman gave a truly rousing performance of Manon's gavotte. New to the program, the Canadian singer exuded poise and grace. Her spectacular voice and physical beauty made for a true presence on the stage.
Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth De Shong, contralto Meredith Arwady, tenors Bryan Griffin and Edward Mout, baritone Phillip Dothard, and bass-baritones Paul Corona and Darren Stokes filled the air of the theater with some of opera's most elaborate arias and ensembles, thus confirming the force of the center's talented individuals and the center itself.
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Watch these stars rise
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Several 2007-08 Ryan Opera Center ensemble members sang critically acclaimed principal and supporting roles during Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 53rd season, including La Traviata, La Boheme, Giulio Cesare, Die Frau ohne Schatten, The Barber of Seville, and more.
Of the singers in the 2007-08 ensemble, sopranos Andriana Chuchman and Amber Wagner, tenors Edward Mout and David Portillo, baritone Daniel Billings, and bass-baritone Paul Corona will return to the program for 2008-09 after a brief hiatus.
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