Rimsky Rebooted

Chicago Opera Theater

Chicago, IL

“The coronavirus pandemic has forced opera companies around the world to readjust, which is exactly what COT did on Saturday night, offering a “Rimsky Rebooted” concert online. The program gave listeners a taste of what we were missing, in the form of “Kashchej” excerpts, augmented by additional repertoire. Though this was a far cry from COT music director Lidiya Yankovskaya’s original vision, it was a testament to the company’s refusal to surrender to today’s difficult circumstances. Russian music dominated the program, nowhere more menacingly than in “Gamayun, Bird of Prophecy,” from Shostakovich’s “Seven Romances on Verses by Alexander Blok.” As Annie Rosen unfurled urgent lines that amounted to an outcry, Yankovskaya produced dark tones and unyielding martial rhythms at the piano. And in selections from 20th-century Russian composer Georgy Sviridov’s “Russia Cast Adrift,” Yankovskaya provided the Rachmaninoff-like accompaniment… A most appealing concert.”
–Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

“COT’s ever enterprising music director, Lidiya Yankovskaya, working in collaboration with her team, were not to be silenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they began to devise several alternative plans for each of the scheduled operas. Flexibility and change were, and continue to be, the operative principles. The most recent entry in the transformed season arrived in late November bearing the fitting title of “Rimsky Rebooted”. Yankovskaya [is] a superb pianist… Liverman’s rich, heated voice was expertly supported by Yankovskaya’s expert accompaniment.”
–Hedy Weiss, WTTW

“With 'Rimsky Rebooted,' COT turns obstacles to art. The music was mostly Russian, with COT’s music director Lidiya Yankovskaya’s knowledge of this repertoire clearly contributing to an intelligent selection of fascinating music that had depth and drama but was nonetheless off the beaten track. It is a tribute to the “never say die” attitude of Chicago Opera Theater that the performance not only took place, but also was both satisfying and exciting. This concert, arranged professionally and rapidly under constantly changing conditions, was clearly a success. It would have been easy to cart out operatic warhorses, but COT created a collection of works not regularly heard that were a great pleasure to get to know. Supporters of Chicago Opera Theater have placed their trust in worthy stewards; when live performances with audiences are once again in place, COT will surely be ready.”
–M.L. Rantala, Hyde Park Herald