Sergio A. Mims: Eric Owens makes Wotan role debut at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Eric Owens

Sergio Mims sends this link:

Lyric Opera of Chicago:

Bass-baritone Eric Owens's performance as Alberich in the Metropolitan Opera's Ring cycle in 2012 received resounding critical and popular acclaim. The New Yorker's Alex Ross exclaimed "Owens's portrayal is so richly layered that it may become part of the history of the work." Today, Lyric Opera of Chicago announced that Owens will make a role debut as Wotan in its new staging of Wagner's masterpiece during the 2016-17 season.

Wotan, king of the gods and father to the doomed Brünnhilde (Christine Goerke), is one of the most demanding roles in the repertoire. Requiring equal parts athletic stamina and sonorous nuance, Wotan has been portrayed by some of the greatest bass-baritones in history. Owens notes, “It’s a dream come true to do this role, and to do it at Lyric Opera. The fact that Christine will be Brünnhilde is wonderful – we’ve known each other for twenty years. Being able to explore the Ring with someone with whom you’re so comfortable makes the whole process easier."

Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production, designed by Johan Engel and directed by David Pountney, will premiere during the 2016-17 season under the baton of Sir Anthony Davis. The cycle will be presented over the next several seasons with a complete Ring cycle in April 2020. "Experiencing a Ring cycle is one of the most life-transforming artistic experiences the world has to offer. I am thrilled by the team we have assembled to create that experience at Lyric," said general director of Lyric Opera of Chicago Anthony Freud. Tickets for Lyric’s full Ring cycle will go on sale in 2018, with pricing, further casting and sponsorship to be announced at a later date. Tickets for Das Rheingold will go on sale in 2016.

This season, Owens performs in Lyric Opera of Chicago's Rusalka, which opens on February 22, 2014.

"[Eric Owens has] entered the annals of all-time great Alberichs." -Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times
“A linguistic authority that clearly comes out of his work in German art song…for Philadelphians who have witnessed his remarkable evolution over the years, Owens alone is worth the ticket.” -David Patrick Stearns,Philadelphia Inquirer

“Eric Owens, now one of the greatest bass-baritones in the world, was sublime as crazy Alberich.” -Manuela Hoelterhoff, Bloomberg