Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...The driving force, of course is universal in this opera that is essentially a battle of the sexes and a bedroom farce. The “revolutionary” politics of Beaumarchais’ work is largely expunged, aside from a brief mention that the royals no longer have the right to demand sexual favors from their servants. The music is glorious, particularly as the story darkens in the work’s second half. But a little of this sort of farce and froth goes a very long way. And at Lyric Opera, where the 2015-2016 season opened Saturday with an elaborate new production directed by Barbara Gaines (founder and artistic director of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater), the comic frolicking grows tiresome, and the real pain of betrayal emerges only fitfully."
Chicago Stage Review - Highly Recommended
"...Opening night at the opera is always a dazzling experience. It is the best night of the year for people watching, with a red carpet scene that definitely rivals the Oscars and Emmys for sheer glamour and excitement. On the best opening nights however, the evening’s musical entertainment is even more dazzling with the sheer transformative power of great music and genuinely moving dramatic performances eclipsing even the most breathtaking audience trappings. Lyric Opera’s new production of The Marriage of Figaro is such an experience: funny, outrageous, heartfelt, with supertitles that will crack you up and singing that’ll knock your socks off. Not even Mozart could have asked for more than that."
Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended
"...If Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" is inherently and effectively a bittersweet comedy that edges into farce, the new production directed by Barbara Gaines that opens the Lyric Opera of Chicago season reframes it as farce that edges into cartoon."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...Lyric Opera’s slightly silly, fantastic and highly entertaining new production of Mozart’s endearing The Marriage of Figaro is a splendid way to kick off the 2015/2016 season. It is worth going just to hear Majeski and Karg’s duet, or to see Cherubino’s comic antics in Act III, but this show offers so much more, not least of which is the the mature Mozart’s incomparable score."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...This is a lighter Figaro than usually mounted, making it more fun to watch. It still, of course, contains the fabulous Mozart music and the hauntingly electrifying arias. The energy, the freshness, and cleverness makes this production of The Marriage of Figaro a major triumph! Director Barbara Gaines' first non-Shakespeare opera is a success. Come see this an re-discover the magnificence of Mozart."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...In my many years of theater going, I can't remember a show where the set design elicited applause from the audience. That all changed last Saturday with Chicago Lyric Opera's new production of The Marriage of Figaro, which I can only describe as a crescendo of operatic joy."
Seen and Heard International - Recommended
"...That Gaines is clearly on to something is obvious: individual characters have rarely been more clearly delineated, and the opera's narrative structure has seldom been more transparent. There is even a brief food fight during the Act II ensemble finale, and other slapstick and earthy touches that Mozart-down-to-Earth demigod that he was-would likely appreciate. Happily, all of these remain respectful of the music itself."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...And aside from how it looks and it acts, THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO is an opera first. And this production sounds sublime. The principals are perfection. Each aria and duet is sung with passion. It's hard to pick favorites but I'll try. Brindley Sherratt (Bartolo) plotting his revenge in the powerhouse La vendetta. Frenkel vulnerably singing her secret desires in Voi che sapete. Majeski reflecting wistfully on love lost in Porgi amor. And in Act IV, Karg and Platchetka mischievously singing to each other in disguise. Their relationship is only questioned by each other. The audience sees, hears, feels the true love bond between the two."
