TRAVEL/FOOD

By Guest Blogger Eloise Marie Valadez

The Lyric Opera of Chicago never fails to keep an audience’s attention with its productions.

The company’s 2026/27 season recently opened with a grand-scale production of “Don Giovanni.” The opera runs through Nov. 1.

“Don Giovanni” tells the story of the philandering, conceited and evil nobleman who treats women with disrespect, betrays friendships, and leads a downright despicable life, which ultimately leads to murder. He’s based on the notorious character Don Juan.

The opera, which is directed by acclaimed Chicago director Robert Falls, was the first opera to launch the Lyric Opera company seven decades ago.

Don Giovanni features music by Mozart. The opera premiered in 1787. Mozart’s beautiful and dramatic score is performed flawlessly by the Lyric Opera Orchestra under the direction of Enrique Mazzola.

Starring as Don Giovanni is bass-baritone Christian Van Horn, whose vocals remain powerful throughout the production. Also offering standout performances in the show are Mane Galoyan, Nina Solodovnikova, Lawrence Brownlee, Tommaso Barea, Anna El-Khashem, Christopher Humbert Jr and David Leigh.

While this production clocks in at three hours and 25 minutes, including an intermission, it certainly keeps one’s attention with its outstanding score, fantastic vocals, spectacular set and costumes and fascinating non-stop action.

Next up for Lyric Opera is “Don Pasquale,” running Nov. 12 to 27.

FYI: “Don Giovanni” continues to Nov. 1 at Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Visit lyricopera.org.

About Eloise Marie Valadez

Guest blogger Eloise Marie Valadez, a frequent contributor to Travel/Food, is a professional journalist/writer and editor with four decades of experience covering the arts, entertainment, and culinary industries. A native of Chicago, she has a passion for the written word.

Cover photo courtesy of Lyric Opera of Chicago. Photo by Cory Weaver/Lyric Opera of Chicago.

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