The Lyric Opera of Chicago opened with a new show, at least for this side of the Pond.
The Passenger, an opera by Mieczysław Weinberg to a libretto by Alexander Medvedev, had its origins in a 1963 story by a survivor of Auschwitz. It was turned into an opera, and was initially performed in 1968. It was to be performed by the Bolshoi in 2003, but was not actually staged until 2006. The reactions abroad are worthy of a Google search.
Yesterday was its American debut.
The story is both simple and complex. The year is 1960. A German woman and her diplomat hubby are on a slow boat to Brazil for his new posting. She spots someone who she thinks she recognizes, a prisoner in Auschwitz that she repeatedly and constantly abused while she was a prison guard for the SS.
Rarely has an opera been so emotionally and visually impacting. After the first half was over, the crowd was utterly silent. Shock, not dislike.
The voices are simply superb. The German couple, played by tenor Brandon Jovanovich, and his wife, Liese, played by mezzo-soprano Daveda Karanas, play their roles perfectly. Their voices are clear, powerful, and a joy to hear, especially some very tough to sing parts. They were handled without a flaw and seemingly, without effort.
Marta (a Polish Catholic imprisoned by the Nazis) is played by Amanda Majeski. She learns that her fiance Tadeusz,(unseen for two years) is also in the prison. His role is filled perfectly by baritone Joshua Hopkins. A perfect match of voice, acting talent, and stage presence. I now know how the term awestruck arose.
Every voice, including the smaller roles, was clear and effective. The acting was top notch, probably some of the best seen on stage at the Lyric. Together with a fantastic set, makes this a performance you cannot miss. The top part of the stage is the top of a posh cruise ship. Stairs lead below deck to a dreary, deadly sight of ovens and railroad tracks that led into the death camp. The tracks are functional, and different cars bring cast members and scenes to the audience. Your mind becomes numb from the idea of trains filled with people being readied for slaughter.
It has no cliche, it has no gimmick, it has no overwrought, faux, sentimentalism or emotional gamesmanship. What it has is a slice of life so impossible to ignore, presented in an incredibly effective manner that grabs you and does not let go.
The ovations and cheers at the end were well deserved. A wonderful opera, one that makes you think about the horrors committed by man (and woman) against man (and woman).
If you need an excuse to visit Chicago (as if anyone NEEDS an excuse), this world class opera is one great reason to come. This is one performance that you should not miss. You will walk out of there with your jaw slack, and your mind shaken.
You may think that the Holocaust should not be the subject of entertainment. Perhaps. But if movie MASH could find irony in the midst of a bloody and deadly war, if Mel Brooks could defang the idea of Hitler with laughter and humor, then why not remind people of our recent inhumane history? It matters not if you are a jew or a non-jew, (people of every color, creed, nationality, and religion were victims). It matters that you are human and the suffering of other humans was so extensive and horrific. It does matter to learn (or relearn) about the horror so it may not be repeated. Heh, I type this while ISIS and Boco Harum continue to torture and murder innocents on the other side of the world.
For a relatively modern opera, the music is even more of a shock. All to often, modern operas (like Dr. Atomic, by John Adams) have the tonal quality of a cat being swung around your head by its tail in a small broom closet. This opera uses a few elements dissonance, including slightly different notes by the reeds or strings, to add weight and impact to the text and the scene. The score is haunting, but honestly? It is one of the better modern operas I have ever witnessed in terms of its musical story.
Enough blathering. To sum up in one word this magnificent and emotionally full presentation? W O W ! ! !