Christine Brewer & Elizabeth Futral Set for Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Beg. Tonight

Lyric Opera of Chicago's general director Anthony Freud announced today that two internationally acclaimed opera singers, American sopranos Christine Brewer and Elizabeth Futral, have been cast for the new production and company premiere of The Sound of Music, to be presented next spring.

"We are excited to confirm two exceptional cast members: Christine Brewer as Mother Abbess, and Elizabeth Futral as Baroness Elsa Schraeder," said Freud. "Christine is a Grammy Award winner who wowed Lyric audiences in Die Frau ohne Schatten and is hailed internationally for her glorious voice. It will be wonderful to hear her sing the iconic 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain' in this wonderful score. Elizabeth is a longtime Lyric favorite who most recently charmed us as Musetta inLa Bohème and has also entranced audiences as the leading ladies of La traviata, The Merry Widow, The Pirates of Penzance, and Candide at Lyric."

Freud also announced key members of the creative team for The Sound of Music: "We are delighted to have The Sound of Music make its Lyric Opera debut under the baton of Broadway's Emmy-nominated conductor Rob Fisher in a new production directed by the brilliant Marc Bruni- both of whom have scored triumphs with this work and have extensive Broadway and music-theater experience," Freud said (see bios below). "Set designer Michael Yeargan has won Tony Awards for two Broadway productions and has created numerous acclaimed opera productions internationally. Costume designer Alejo Vietti, whose designs will be seen on Broadway next season, has done extraordinary work with major theater and opera companies all over America. Choreographer Denis Jones has impressive credentials in Broadway and regional productions.

"This beloved musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II - their final collaboration - is one of the greatest American musical stage works, and is also known the world over for its film adaptation" Freud noted. He added that 37 members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra will perform with a 25-member ensemble (including 12 members of the Lyric Opera Chorus). Lyric chorus master Michael Black will prepare the chorus for this company premiere, which marks the second work in Lyric's American Musical Theater Initiative.

The new production of The Sound of Music, will have 17 performances (including eight matinees) today, April 24-May 11 at the Civic Opera House, with tickets starting at $29. Lyric subscribers receive a 10% discount through November 1.