The 59th Opening Night Gala of the Lyric Opera premiering “Otello” was not the quintessential opera night. Saturday, Oct. 5, opera patrons walked the Lyric’s red carpet, spotlighted in camera flashes. The foyer staged buffets of smoked salmon pinwheels and flutes of champagne. Offbook conversations featuring French, English and Italian were exchanged in the Mezzanine. When the house doors opened, men and women costumed in bowties and ball gowns bustled to their seats. Yet for all the pomp in the evening’s prologue, “Otello’s” composer, challenges the chorus in the opening scene. Against percussion, brass and organ, their song projects over the orchestra’s “storm.” Men, women and children overtake the stage with an energy that moves the already brief, two hour opera, into an illusion of fleeting time.
However, this 15th century illusion could not be experienced without the authentic trust between the cast members. From the stage fighting to the bedroombrawl between Desdemona and Otello, the actors hold nothing back.
In real life’s unfortunate circumstances, Struckmann, who struggled with allergies during the week’s rehearsals, relied on his understudy, Todd Thomas, to play Iago when Struckmann stepped down after the first act. Thomas received a standing ovation at the opera’s conclusion.
“Otello’s” revival, not only on stage but also in the orchestra, recreates the best and worst of human emotions. While the characters are extreme and irrational, the empathy they extract is palpable. Those wishing to spend a night at the opera can do so for as little as $44 a ticket.
“Otello” plays at the Lyric Opera, located on 20 N. Wacker Drive, until Nov. 2.