Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...Richard Strauss’s “Der Rosenkavalier” is a poignant blend of darkness and light. A cruel undercurrent runs beneath its lilting waltzes and sumptuous settings in 18th-century, aristocratic Vienna. There’s the cruelty of aging, personified by the worldly-wise Marschallin, a woman well aware that her affair with 17-year-old Count Octavian will end when a prettier, younger woman captures his heart. There’s the cruelty of male prerogative: the boorish Baron Ochs who feels free to stalk any woman who catches his eye."
Chicago Stage Review - Recommended
"...As entertaining as this production is, one cannot help but wish for a more updated version of Der Rosenkavalier. Somehow, this piece doesn't quite have sexy energy and universal appeal of a Marriage of Figaro (to which it is often compared), and even that perennial favorite benefited greatly from an updated attitude this season, including more contemporary subtitles and racier interpretations of its broad humor. Here's hoping that next time around, Der Rosenkavalier gets a similar refreshing makeover."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...For those who relish Viennese confections the Lyric Opera of Chicago has served up a gorgeous treat in Strauss' and von Hofmannsthal's and Der Rosenkavalier. From the sumptuous sets and costumes to the flawless casting and vocal chemistry among the performers Lyric is giving Chicago audiences what they want; one of the most glorious Strauss scores, a beautiful and poignant love story combined with grand sets and costumes, and singers in top-notch form with both the acting and vocal skills to pull it off in a world-class manner."
Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended
"...The Lyric cast is mostly young, and impressive in that context, although the most complete performances of the evening were by guest conductor Edward Gardner, formerly of the English National Opera, who possessed an easy familiarity with the enormous score, and by the brilliant French mezzo-soprano Sophie Koch in the trouser role of the Countess' passionate young lover Octavian."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...It's easy to see why Richard Strauss's collaboration with librettist Hugo von Hoffmansthal was so successful. Der Rosenkavalier balances comedy and romance with poetry and elegance. It is on the lengthy side, but with judicious cuts, a superb cast, and a skillful director, the show moves merrily along to its happy conclusion. Lyric couldn't have done it better."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...Playing to many terrific arias and duets, Der Rosenkavalier, contains lush beauty and glorious singing yet it played too long for my taste. I can't remember when an opera didn't "reach" like this one. But I'm sure most opera aficionados will enjoy and appreciate this grand scale of the production more that I did. This opera is worth experiencing The ending trio is amazing."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Somewhat Recommended
"...What redeems the production is the pathos of seeing performances fresh as dewdrops imprisoned in a dusty mausoleum. Amanda Majeski, who triumphed as the countess Almaviva in Figaro earlier this season, sings with such tenderness as to render the German language beautiful. Sophie Koch not only brings the right level of charming boyishness to the role of Octavian, but also shows us his vulnerability, his jealousy, his ardor, his confusion, and his pettiness with convincing vocal ease."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...the four hours-and-then-some breezed by, the expansive effect of Strauss’ brilliantly intertwining themes culminating in the famous, final trio, with Sophie’s discovery, Octavian’s understanding, and the Marschillian’s acceptance. The fourth character of the orchestra turns trio into magnificent quartet."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...“Der Rosenkavalier” is a connoisseur’s opera for patrons whose tastes run to sophistication, charm, and the subtle investigation of love, both requited and unrequited. For people who attend opera for the pleasures of hearing beautiful singing, Strauss has created a classic. It’s not an action-packed evening but it cannily spreads its entertainment among the comic and the rueful and the joyous. Mostly it’s a pleasure to see and a joy to hear."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...DER ROSENKAVALIER is a long love story. Four hours and ten minutes long. At my performance, vacant chairs increased as the time went on. For me, DER ROSENKAVALIER is the perfect heart-warming story for a cold winter's evening. Strauss took his time telling this story. And this superb ensemble won't rush to finish it. Instead, they savor every passionate morsel of it. And I did too."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...But the star of the evening was Matthew Rose, who carried off Baron Ochs’ stupidities, bluster, impermeable self-absorption and absurd condescension to perfection. He provoked my immoderate laughter. He was a joy to watch. He acted the Baron’s moods, gestures and thoughts to Strauss’ music flawlessly. When he was shamed or threatened, his sanctimonious invocation of the “rights, privileges, and immunities of blue blood” provoked roars of mirth—or should have. Mr. Rose is an important artist of presence, power and subtlety."
