At the beginning of January I flew out to Chicago for Stephen Costello’s debut at Chicago Lyric Opera in The Merry Widow. Everyone knows I can’t pass up a good operetta, and this was going to be my second time to hear Stephen as Camille in this Lehár piece. I wasn’t sure what winter traveling surprises I would come up against, but it was smooth sailing right to their condo on Michigan Avenue. I was invited to stay the weekend with Stephen and his wife Ailyn Pérez and I had the time of my frozen life. As soon as I arrived I was ushered off for a Chicago style hot dog and beef sandwich - both were delicious! The weather was a mere 8 degrees most of the time I was there so we didn’t do much walking.
Next evening was the opera, where Ailyn and I were guests of the Chicago Lyric Opera with wonderful orchestra seats. This new production of Widow has all the right elements: great singing, beautiful sets, and Can-can girls! Stephen was a suave Camille, and sang beautifully. After the show I was invited to dinner with the wonderful Widow of the evening, Elizabeth Futral, and conductor Emmanuel Villaume. The following afternoon was more Chicago hot dogs and tickets to see the final performance of The Addams Family Musical before it heads to Broadway. I would say that was a weekend to remember, even if it was freezing.
Any other AVA alums that want to invite me to see their performances – just call!
If you're in San Diego next month, you can hear Ailyn Perez and Stephen Costello in Romeo et Juliet with San Diego Opera, March 13-21
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