Ryan Opera Center alumnae Tenor David Portillo and Baritone Ian Rucker are two of the stars featured in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s presentation of Carl Orff’s dramatic cantata, *Carmina Burana*, for only three performances Friday November Nov 14 at 7pm, Sunday matinee Nov 16 at 2pm and Tuesday evening November 18 at 7pm. For more visit lyricopera.org
Rising Opera sensation Jasmine Habersham, whom Lyric audiences relished last season in Ashley’s The Listeners, returns to the Ardis Krainik stage to headline this landmark production featuring the Lyric Opera Chorus under Chorus Director and Head of Music Michael Black. Lyric Music Director Enrique Mazzola leads the entire ensemble from the pit in this stirring production.
Carmina Burana is based on a medieval collection of 13th-century poems and songs, which were later turned into a cantata by composer Carl Orff in 1936. The title literally means “Songs of Beuern” or “Songs from Beuern,” referring to the Benedictine monastery in Bavaria where the manuscript was found.
Orff strived to give new life to the earthly themes of life and death, fortune and misfortune that dominated the texts. It’s recurring theme of the fickleness of fate, particularly against the backdrop of the rising Specter of Nazi-ism and the developing winds of war in Europe, urged him to discard all the conventions of music composition. He instead wrote rhythmic lyrics that drove the music almost into a frenzy, precursing the rap and Hip-hop of today, with pulsing vocals from the chorus and driving percussions from the orchestra that caused Stravinsky to characterize the music as “Neo-Neanderthal.” Orff probably took the criticism as a back-handed compliment from the famed Russian composer.
The original texts of Carmina Burana were written by traveling minstrels and clergy known as the Goliards Their writings focused on worldly themes like fate, lust, and drinking, which was unusual for a time when most writings dealt with religious and spiritual matters. The work is best known for its dramatic movement “O Fortuna”, which presents the Lyric Opera Chorus and Orchestra in all their full- throated glory.
Carmina Burana is sung in its original languages with projected English titles.
For three performances only November 14-18, visit lyricopera.org.
