Medea is the exciting production by Sir David McVicar, now on-stage at Lyric Opera Chicago through October 26. It is guaranteed to satisfy hard- core opera fans and have newcomers rivetted to their seats. Visit lyricopera.org for details.

With powerhouse soprano Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role and distinguished Ryan Opera Center alumnus, American tenor Matthew Polenzani as her double-crossing lover Jason, this is dramatic opera at its best. 

Striking staging and sets by director McVicar and solid conducting by Lyric’s Music Director Enrique Mazzola give Cherubini’s masterpiece the first-rate revival it so richly deserves.

Production designer S. Katy Tucker achieves a striking balance between ancient grandeur and modern intensity. Her use of a ‘fun house’ styled mirror projection effectively incorporates the action of the chorus, led masterfully by Chorus Director Michael Black.

The production marks the first time Lyric Opera has staged Medea, a work famously revived by the great Maria Callas.

Medea brings to life the mythic tale of Jason and his search for the Golden Fleece on his fabled ship the Argo. Seeking to regain his birthright, the Kingdom of Lolcus, stolen by his half-brother, Pelias, he travels to distant Colchos, where he marries the sorceress Medea, who bears him two sons. 

When they flee Colchos for Corinth to avoid capture by Pelias’ son, Jason abandons Medea and falls in love with King Creon’s daughter Glauce.

When Medea arrives on the scene, Jason is set to marry Glauce. Medea, of course, is having none of it, and sets about revenge, which propells the opera for the next two and a half thrilling hours.

There Is superb singing by a stellar cast. This reviewer even stopped reading the English language super titles in order to revel in the exquisite vocalizing on stage. It put my fledgling knowledge of Italian (mostly from reading wine labels), to the test.

Among the notable cast members were several outstanding African American performers in key roles. American soprano Zoie Reams sings Neris, Medea’s confidant.

Bass-baritone Alfred Walker is a superb King Creon. (Walker returns to New York’s Metropolitan Opera this season in the title role in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess).

Christopher Humbert, Jr. makes a noteworthy entrance as the Captain of the Guard. Humbert is a third-year Ryan Opera Center bass-baritone who will also appear in Lyric’s productions of Salome and Madama Butterfly this season. 

Starting November 1, another outstanding African American performer, and Lyric Opera favorite, tenor Russell Thomas, stars in the title role of Canio in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. Thomas debuted the role in Lyric’s 2021 Emmy Award-winning film of the famous opera.

Pagliacci will be paired in a double bill with Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana November 1-23. For more information visit lyricopera.org.