Polenzani adds his outstanding vocalism to Lyric’s “Magic Flute”
Lawrence A. Johnson
Chicago Classical Review
Is there a better Mozart tenor before the public than Matthew Polenzani? Unlikely. The Evanston native brought a fresh element to the show, singing with rich, vibrant tone as well as a dramatic urgency that elevated the entire production.
“Lyric Opera unveiled its new Magic Flute last month, replacing the beloved yet musty August Everding production that had been a company evergreen for a quarter-century … the musical values were largely unassailable with a superb cast.
Matthew Polenzani has joined Lyric’s Magic Flute to sing the role of Tamino for the final two weeks of the run. And with Polenzani bringing his customary stellar artistry to a favored role at Thursday’s matinee, the addition makes an already strong cast into an outstanding one without a single weak link.
Is there a better Mozart tenor before the public than Matthew Polenzani? Unlikely. The Evanston native brought a fresh element to the show, singing with rich, vibrant tone as well as a dramatic urgency that elevated the entire production. His “Dies Bildnis” was a model of supreme Mozart style–elegant yet impassioned with a fluent, seamless line.”
Lawrence A. Johnson – Chicago Classical Review