ELEKTRA @ Lyric Opera of Chicago, February 2019 https://www.lyricopera.org/productions/2018-19/elektra/
Cast
Nina Stemme, Elektra Michaela Martens, Klytemnestra Elza Van den Heever, Chrysothemis Iain Paterson, Orest Robert Brubaker, Aegisth Susan Foster, Overseer Lauren Decker, First Maid Mary Phillips, Second Maid Krysty Swann, Third Maid Alexandra Lobianco, Fourth Maid Ann Toomey, Fifth Maid Whitney Morrison, Confidante Emily Pogorelc, Trainbearer Philip Horst, Orest's Tutor Eric Ferring, Young Servant Kenneth Nichols, Old Servant |
Production
Nick Sandys, Revival Director & Fight Choreographer Sir David McVicar, Original Director Donald Runnicles, Conductor John MacFarlane, Set & Costume Designer Jennifer Tipton, Lighting Designer Sarah Hatten, Wigmaster & Makeup Designer Michael Black, Chorus Master David Carl Toulson, Assistant Director Rachel A. Tobias, Stage Manager William C. Billingham & Matthew Piatt, Musical Preparation Susan Miller Hult, Prompter Colin Ure, Projected English Titles |
REVIEWS:
"Originally directed by Sir David McVicar, this revival – ... – clearly thrives on the skills of Nick Sandys, the longtime artistic director of Chicago’s Remy Bumppo Theatre and a fight and movement director for Lyric. He has turned every scene into a play rather than a presentational vocal exercise." WTTW.com - 2/8/19
"Sir David McVicar’s turbulent production premiered at Lyric in 2012. Nick Sandys undertakes a recreation of that splendid spectacle as revival director, and under his tutelage it loses nothing of its stark brutality." NewCityStage.com - 2/8/19
"For this revival production, the Lyric has tapped Remy Bumppo artistic director Nick Sandys. Although Sandys has mostly served the Lyric as a fight choreographer, Remy Bumppo frequently mines the expressionistic literature of Strauss’s era, and McVicar’s vision is in good hands." AroundTheTown.com - 2/5/19
"Originally directed by Sir David McVicar, this revival – ... – clearly thrives on the skills of Nick Sandys, the longtime artistic director of Chicago’s Remy Bumppo Theatre and a fight and movement director for Lyric. He has turned every scene into a play rather than a presentational vocal exercise." WTTW.com - 2/8/19
"Sir David McVicar’s turbulent production premiered at Lyric in 2012. Nick Sandys undertakes a recreation of that splendid spectacle as revival director, and under his tutelage it loses nothing of its stark brutality." NewCityStage.com - 2/8/19
"For this revival production, the Lyric has tapped Remy Bumppo artistic director Nick Sandys. Although Sandys has mostly served the Lyric as a fight choreographer, Remy Bumppo frequently mines the expressionistic literature of Strauss’s era, and McVicar’s vision is in good hands." AroundTheTown.com - 2/5/19
photo credit: Cory Weaver
ELEKTRA @ Houston Grand Opera, January 2018
HGO constructs an Elektra of Epic proportions, Houston Chronicle, Jan 22, 2018
"an enthralling production... From the first unveiling of John McFarlane's set in this David McVicar production revived by Nick Sandys, the monochromatic gray of the set and costume design is pierced by a red glow from within the depths of the palace, like a bloody volcano threatening to erupt... Every play of emotion - intense grief, relief, disbelief - on Elektra's face, as she recognizes her long-lost brother and avenger Orest, is clearly visible..."
ConcertoNet.com
HGO Resilience Theater 01/19/2018
"Nobody could have predicted, however, the impact presenting this thriller in Houston Grand Opera’s temporary home (dubbed “HGO Resilience Theater”) would have....The proximity made the piece even more urgent, more thrilling, and more memorable."
Schmopera.com Jan 21, 2018
"... this incredibly well-integrated production,..."
"an enthralling production... From the first unveiling of John McFarlane's set in this David McVicar production revived by Nick Sandys, the monochromatic gray of the set and costume design is pierced by a red glow from within the depths of the palace, like a bloody volcano threatening to erupt... Every play of emotion - intense grief, relief, disbelief - on Elektra's face, as she recognizes her long-lost brother and avenger Orest, is clearly visible..."
ConcertoNet.com
HGO Resilience Theater 01/19/2018
"Nobody could have predicted, however, the impact presenting this thriller in Houston Grand Opera’s temporary home (dubbed “HGO Resilience Theater”) would have....The proximity made the piece even more urgent, more thrilling, and more memorable."
Schmopera.com Jan 21, 2018
"... this incredibly well-integrated production,..."