Boris Godunov at Lyric Opera

Chicago Stage Review - Highly Recommended

"... The outstanding international cast of Boris Godunov includes Slovakian tenor Stefan Margita as Shuisky, American tenor Erik Nelson Werner as Grigori, American tenor (and Ryan Opera Center alum) Edward Mout in a chilling characterization of the Holy Fool, American bass Raymond Aceto as Varlaam, and finally, another outstanding and fully realized performance from Italian bass Andrea Silvestri as Pimen. This is a rare opportunity to see one of the great treasures of Russian opera presented at the highest level, and at its heart the extraordinary Furlanetto, in possibly the most brilliant period of his career. Simply extraordinary."

ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...The production is very good, as well. The costumes are beautiful, particularly Boris’ (although at one point I didn’t care for a particular shirt), and the set’s highly raked stage extending into the rafters is exactly the kind of ingenuity I like to see. The Holy Fool’s costume and makeup design are also notable, reminiscent of Death from The Seventh Seal. Although I admit that I myself did not find Boris as compelling as the previous two operas I had seen at the Lyric, it is also a piece that, it seems to me, would do well with further fermentation and revisitings. Indeed, I’ve little doubt that I would enjoy it more the second time round."