Elektra! No not of the Carmen type or the character played by Jennifer Garner or the Marvel comics character but rather the Greek mythology based opera by Richard Strauss. Powerful and complex, The Lyric Opera of Chicago debut the 2012/2013 season with Strauss’ Elektra. About 600 people(if not more) arrived dressed in gorgeous gowns, tuxedos and native attire ready to take in the 100 minute performance. The opening night benefit performance a project of the Lyric Women’s Board led by Mrs. Anne Reyes of Lake Forest, was sponsored by Aon Corporation and the committee chaired by Mrs. Becky Knight, III included some powerful women such as Mrs. Lisabeth Stiffel, Mrs Amelia Silva, Corinne Wood, Alison Wehman McNally, Mrs. Richard Wehman and Elizabeth O’Connor Cole.
Two receptions occurred prior to the start of the performance. A VIP reception in the Graham room which was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Lester B. Knight, III. The other reception had guests in the great hall noshing on delicious edibles.
The performance started on time and the first thing you saw was the AMAZING set. It was built to look like ruins within a old ancient Greek household with fallen columns but really my words are not doing the magnitude of the set justice. The orchestra played their part beautifully accompanying the actors through the ups and down of emotion. It was performed in its entirety in German but English subtitles scrolled unobtrusively above. Elektra was the only one wearing plain costumes, the rest of the cast made up for it with these regal yet dark/twisted with a dollop of Alexander McQueen inspiration down to the hair. The storyline follows Elektra as she seeks revenge for the murder of her father(Agamemnon) who was killed by his wife and nephew(Klyamnestra and Aegisth). The drama was aplenty and so was the magnificent voice. Christine Goerke (Elektra) who made her Lyric debut tapped into this character like no one’s business and she delivered! The performers/Music Director/Orchestra all received well deserved standing ovation from the packed audience. If you are an opera novice or have been exposed to it since you were little, you will surely appreciate Elektra.
Shirley Welsh Ryan, Linda Neilson, Francie Comer
Following the performance, it was off to the Radisson BluAqua Hotel Chicago for the Lyric Opera Ball. I covered the grand opening of that hotel HERE, but to see how it was converted for this occasion was cool.
There was a pre-dinner reception in the foyer was sponsored by Graff Diamonds. Guests were then led into the Atlantic ballroom glowing in the Heffernan Morgan designed floral and decor. The Grand march with trumpeters first welcomed Kenneth G. Pigott, President & CEO of Lyric Opera Chicago who remarked that was how he was welcome home every night. Mr. Pigott acknowledged the sponsors that made the evening possible such as: Illinois Tool Works, Northern Trust Bank(best bank ever true story), Graff Diamonds, Chicago Sun-Times, Bartli beck Herman Palenchar & Scott, LLC, Aon Corporation and many more. The Opera Ball(Gala after the performance) committee was chaired by Mrs. Caryn Harris with committee members: Mrs. Renée Schine Crown, Karen Gray, Suzette Bulley, Trisha Rooney Alden, Mrs. Christina Gidwitz.
Caryn Harris
Renee Fleming, Lyric Creative Consultant was also at the ball. Jewell catering provided the dinner and desert for the evening. The Bradley Young Orchestra did the damn thing! I must admit I didn’t expect much but wow! they effectively fused today’s top 40 and some revered oldies and got people like Frederick Waddell (Northern Trust CEO) and his wife on the dance floor, Mr. Patrick Ryan def has moves as he was letting loose with Mrs. Ryan to “Moves like Jagger” and everyone seemed to be having a great time; the flowing wine and pre-dinner reception could have played a part but really that Bradley Young Orchestra was it. Guests in attendance at the Lyric Ball included: Trisha Rooney Alden, Eve Rogers, Franci Comer, Elizabeth and Lawrence Ryan, Allan and Elaine Muchin, Patrick and Shirley Welsh Ryan, Patrick and Meredith Wood-Prince, Caroline Huebner, Christina and Ronald Gidwitz,Candace and Chuck Jordan, Caroline Huebner, Bill Zwecker, really too many to name but everyone there looked fabulous!
This was my first time covering the Opera Gala and WOW! There was a lot that went into making this a production and generous contributions from some of the city’s top civic and philanthropic leaders who want to continue to see the arts flourish. I hope to be able to do this again next year and with more youth involvement effusion. I know that’s one of the main things Renee Fleming is helping to ramp up. If you didn’t know much or exposed to the Opera the general assumption is that it’s for snobby old fogies and that’s so far from the truth. I am a black girl who loves rap as much as she does Florence and the machine and AC/DC, has a soft spot for Rick Ross’s moobs and John Mayer’s voice and trust me Opera is for everyone. The Lyric I think realizes this and are definitely making strides to close the opera age gap. I am excited for some of the upcoming productions such as Don Pasquale, Hansel & Gretel, La Boehme which will have opera superstar Anna Netrebko, A Streetcar Named Desire and The Second City Guide to the Opera. If you haven’t been lets plan a date, get dressed up, grab a bite at Paris Club, Uber it down and take in some culture-YES!
