PN’s “A View of Opera” has always celebrated opera and the organizations who bring it to the Chicago area. Long-time Chicago Tribune arts critic Claudia Cassidy’s (1899-1996) reviews of the Lyric Opera of Chicago took a much more discerning perspective.
Cassidy, a 1921 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate, wrote her controversial “On the Aisle” column from 1942 to 1965. Though her work earned her the nickname “acidy Cassidy,” her formidable presence garnered both fear and respect, and she is credited with making a meaningful impact on the Chicago opera, theatre, classical music, and art.
Claudia was also a contributor on WFMT until she was asked to restrain her critiques of Chicago opera and symphony on the air. Holding firm to her beliefs, Ms. Cassidy subsequently resigned from her post.
A sampling of Ms. Cassidy’s 1965 review of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet ballet reflects both Cassidy’s admiration and judgement:
“The omnipresent harlots are a seriously weak conception, being deadly dull…But the story and the music are so powerful, the focal dancing so magnetic, and the stage so beautiful, that I would consider this… a triumph… Even the orchestra does a noble job… despite some anguished horns.”
Those interested in reading more clippings can refer to the Chicago Tribune archive. (http://archives.chicagotribune.com/results/)
The inspiration for this article was provided by James Centanni, an opera fan and frequent PN reader. Centanni fondly remembers admiring the prose of Cassidy’s reviews as a teenager and also recollects both his parents’ and his experiences sitting next to a quiet and intensely focused Cassidy at the Lyric Opera’s Monday night series for over 25 years. Thanks for your contribution, James!
