Photo Flash: I PURITANI Opens at Lyric Opera of Chicago This Week

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Bellini's classic I Puritani. Similar to Romeo and Juliet but with a happy ending, this bel-canto gem features the high-flying, thrilling vocals that give bel-canto singing its name.

I Puritani opens Sunday, February 4, with seven performances through February 28 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $49 and are available now atlyricopera.org/Puritani or at 312-827-5600.

The opera takes place at a fortress near Plymouth during the English Civil War of the 1640s. Elvira (Albina Shagimuratova ) is betrothed to Sir Riccardo Forth (Anthony Clark Evans), a Puritan colonel, although she is not in love with him. Instead, she loves Arturo Talbot (Lawrence Brownlee), a Cavalier and a Stuart sympathizer, who loves her in return. Once aware of Elvira's unhappiness, Elvira's uncle, Sir Giorgio (Adrian Sâmpetrean), convinces her father, Lord Gualtiero (Alan Higgs), to give his permission for her to marry Arturo. At the wedding celebration, Arturo discovers that Queen Enrichetta (Lauren Decker) has been imprisoned in the castle. By covering the queen in Elvira's wedding veil, Arturo helps her escape. Elvira believes she has been abandoned by Arturo, but in the end, the two are happily reunited.

Enrique Mazzola conducts the production, directed by Eric Einhorn, with sets designed by Ming Cho Lee, costumes designed by Peter J. Hall, and lighting designed by Chris Maravich. Michael Black is chorus master.

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Performance dates for I Puritani are Feb. 4 and 28 at 2pm; and Feb. 7, 10, 13, 16, and 24 at 7:30pm. For tickets and information call (312) 827-5600 or go to lyricopera.org/Puritani.

Estimated running time is 3 hours 35 minutes, including two intermissions (30 minutes and 20 minutes).

An open scene change is scheduled to take place during the second intermission of each performance, with commentary by stage manager Rachel Tobias and property master Charles Reilly. Audience members are welcome to take photos during this process.

The opening performance of I Puritani can be heard live locally on98.7WFMT and globally on wfmt.com, beginning at 1:45pm.