European opera was once closely affiliated with national pride. However, American opera has struggled to find its unique identity. When Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West, premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in 1910, opera fans hoped that the great Italian maestro would help define American opera. However, the result was, at Puccini’s own declaration, distinctly Italian.
However, Andre Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire opera (1998), which the Lyric Opera of Chicago presents this month, is as American as opera gets. Based on Tennessee William’s 1947 play and the subsequent 1951 film starring Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando, Previn’s opera faithfully recounts this theatrical masterpiece. The Lyric’s production even reprises stars from the world premiere: American opera divas Renee Fleming and Elizabeth Futral.
The opera’s libretto carefully retains much of the original play, respecting Williams’ notorious specificity and attention to detail in his stage directions, and Previn draws from his background as a jazz pianist to add blues tinges to the piece, reflecting the play’s integral New Orleans setting.
Additionally, thanks to the generosity of Fathom Events, PN is giving away tickets to the movie broadcasts of two more operas: Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini, based on an episode from Dante’s Inferno, and Wagner’s Parsifal. Performances of Francesca (live: 11:00AM, Mar. 16; encore: 6:30PM, Apr. 3) and Parsifal (encore: 6:30PM, Mar. 20) are at the Regal Cantera 17.
To enter to win tickets, please email emilyriederer@gmail.com with your name, address, and desired performances.
For a complete schedule of the Met: Live in HD season, visit www.FathomEvents.com. Though tickets to Lyric’s Streetcar are limited to subscribers, 98.7FM WFMT will broadcast the opening night performance at 7:15PM, Mar. 26.
