La Clemenza di Tito at Lyric Opera

Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended

"...The brilliant Scottish director David McVicar, who staged the opera along with designing the sets, has done his utmost to breathe modern vitality and psychological insight into the piece, with a new-to-Chicago production that closes Lyric's mainstage season at the Civic Opera House."

Chicago On the Aisle - Recommended

"...Setting the opera in Mozart’s time did rob “Clemenza’ of some of its Roman imperial glitz. Drab walls, small windows and earthy colors were the dominant hues, and almost all Jenny Tiramani’s garment designs were black. There were no monumental bulidings. The set had the non-descript tone of pretty much any 19th-century street scene. And in that context, the things that McVicar and Tiramani did choose to highlight had the weight of symbolism. Caesar’s white finery had a starry gleam. Tito’s guards, a highly choreographed little army in iridescent black with glittering swords, were seen as very imposing.  The threat of an uprising turned the walls red. The head of Caesar’s statue was also bright head."

ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...What makes this opera soar, besides the lush Mozart score, are the trouser roles , especially the amazingly powerful voice of mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato who sings and acts Sesto magnificently. The arias and the duets are beautiful, melodic and emotionally powerful. I think opera seria, now rarely performed, deserves its place in an repertory of produced operas. The almost three hours of wonderful female voices together with a fine performance by Matthew Polenzani as the conflicted Emperor Tito, make for a enchanting night at the opera. Singing dominates with a brilliant Mozart score. Don't miss this little appreciated Mozart work that is now being rediscovered."

The Fourth Walsh - Recommended

"...Neither the plot nor the music is black and white. Many operas plot and kill without hesitation. LA CLEMENZA DI TITO grapples with the flawed human condition. There is a truth that permeates this show: "What is the right thing to do?" The plot and music are expansive enough to allow characters the time to ponder. Under the spirited baton of Sir Andrew Davis, contemplation lingers in soulful melodies."