Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Opera

 

The Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus is a world-renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences for over 60 years. Founded in 1954, the chorus has become an integral part of the Chicago Lyric Opera Company, providing the vocal backbone for some of the most iconic operatic productions in history. The birth of the Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus can be traced back to the early 1950s, when the Chicago Civic Opera Company (as it was then known) was struggling to find a way to compete with the more established opera companies in New York and San Francisco. One of the key challenges facing the company was the lack of a dedicated chorus, which was seen as essential for mounting large-scale productions of operas such as Verdi's Aida or Wagner's Ring Cycle. In 1954, the company's management decided to address this issue by creating a new chorus, which would be made up of professional singers from the Chicago area. The first auditions were held in the fall of that year, and the chorus was officially formed in January 1955, under the direction of Margaret Hillis. Hillis was a highly respected choral conductor who had previously worked with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Ravinia Festival. She quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with, and under her leadership, the Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus began to attract some of the best vocal talent in the country. Over the next few years, the chorus grew in size and reputation, and by the early 1960s, it had become one of the most respected ensembles of its kind in the world. One of the key factors in its success was its versatility – the chorus was equally at home performing the grand operas of Verdi and Wagner as it was singing the more intimate works of Mozart and Rossini. One of the highlights of the chorus's early years was its performance in the world premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti's opera The Last Savage in 1963. The opera was commissioned by the Lyric Opera Company, and the chorus played a key role in bringing Menotti's vision to life. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus continued to go from strength to strength, performing in some of the most iconic productions in the company's history. One of the most memorable of these was the 1983 production of Wagner's Ring Cycle, which was directed by the legendary French director Patrice Chéreau. The Ring Cycle was a massive undertaking, requiring months of rehearsals and a huge cast of singers, actors, and musicians. But under Hillis's leadership, the chorus rose to the challenge, delivering some of the most powerful and moving performances of their careers. In recognition of their achievements, the Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording in 1984, for their performance in the Ring Cycle. It was a fitting tribute to the hard work and dedication of the chorus members, who had spent countless hours perfecting their craft. In the years that followed, the Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus continued to be a vital part of the company's productions, performing in everything from classic operas like La Bohème and Carmen to more contemporary works like John Adams's Nixon in China. One of the most memorable performances of the chorus in recent years was their appearance in the 2016 production of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, which was directed by the acclaimed British director David Pountney.

More....