THE BEST OF CHICAGO

With Daughter of the Regiment (Lisette Oropesa, Lawrence Brownlee), Jenůfa (Lise Davidsen, Nina Stemme), plus three performances at Symphony Hall (Rachmaninov/Sibelius, Maxim Vengerov/Polina Osetinskaya, András Schiff).

Art & Architecture tours. Superb meals. Peninsula Hotel.

Chicago is one of our favourite cities, with it's grand architecture (old and new) and world-class art and historical museums.

Our tour there this fall features a stellar slate of performances. Lyric Opera brings Donizetti’s The Daughter of the Regiment—bel canto opera’s equivalent of vintage champagne—to the city for the first time. Marie, the lovable, irrepressible spirited heroine—a foundling, raised by soldiers—loves handsome Tonio. Things get complicated when the Marquise carts her off to refine her with a “proper” education. In one exhilarating number after another, Marie throws off coloratura flourishes like shooting stars, while her tenor sweetheart pops out nine high Cs in a single aria! Bel canto superstar Lawrence Brownlee and comedic veteran Alessandro Corbelli partner with the dazzling Lisette Oropesa in her eagerly awaited Lyric debut. The marvelously stylish Speranza Scappucci conducts Laurent Pelly’s quick-witted, uproarious production.

Janáček’s Jenůfa is a dark and stunning masterpiece, both musically and dramatically. In this profoundly moving story, the Kostelnička secretly drowns her foster-daughter Jenůfa’s illegitimate child, hoping to save Jenůfa—and herself—from shame and humiliation. When the murder is discovered, the Kostelnička accepts the consequences, but Jenůfa ends the opera with hope for the future. Performing Janáček’s magnificent score at Lyric Opera of Chicago will be an enthralling cast led by two of the finest dramatic sopranos of our time: opera’s newest superstar, Lise Davidsen, and the legendary Nina Stemme, Lyric’s sensational Elektra in 2019. Czech maestro Jakob Hrůša will bring unique authenticity to this unforgettable music, leading Claus Guth’s mesmerizing production.

In addition, we have three stellar performances at Symphony Hall, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of John Storgårds playing Rachmaninov’s Third Symphony, Pohjola's Daughter by Sibelius and works by celebrated American composer Christopher Theofanidis. We will also spend an evening with violinist Maxim Vengerov and pianist Polina Osetinskaya, who will perform works by Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms and Prokofiev’s Five Melodies. Finally, we will enjoy a matinée recital by one of the finest pianists of our time, Sir András Schiff.

Guided tours focusing on the city's tremendous architecture and six unforgettable meals (in addition to full breakfast each day) will round out our tour. Our hotel is The Peninsula, one of the finest we have used in North America.

A detailed itinerary will be available in May.

Only 16 spaces are available. Click here to register.