Elza van den Heever begins her 2024/25 season by reprising the role of Leonore in Fidelio at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, with performances on September 26, 29, and October 2, 5, and 10. Known for her rich, expressive voice, Ms. van den Heever previously captivated audiences in this same role at the San Francisco Opera, where Operawire praised her performance: “Van den Heever sang with ardor and luster, her voice tender and filled with longing in early scenes. When she sheds her disguise in Act two, revealing herself to be Leonore, her voice was full of passion and heroism.” She will be joined by a top-tier cast, including Russell Thomas as Florestan, Dimitry Ivashchenko as Rocco, and Brian Mulligan as Pizarro.
Under the direction of Matthew Ozawa and with Enrique Mazzola conducting, this production of Beethoven’s Fidelio is set to be a standout of the season. Ozawa’s staging, previously praised as “transformative… a thoughtful examination of how we strive for the ideals of justice and freedom” (Toronto Star), will provide a dynamic backdrop for van den Heever’s impassioned portrayal of Leonore, the heart of this moving story of love, courage, and justice.
Photo: Jiyang Chen