In advance of his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut, Riccardo Frizza sat down with Voix des Arts to discuss Bellini’s Norma and the tradition of bel canto repertoire. Maestro Frizza has worked throughout his career to reinvigorate the legacy of the great Italian composers and bring the lesser-know works to audiences around the world.

Looking ahead to the opening of Norma, Joseph Newsome writes: “Lyric Opera of Chicago’s January – February 2017 presentation of Kevin Newbury’s production of Bellini’s bel canto juggernaut will offer audiences what they now so seldom encounter: a conductor with the interpretive and musical skills necessary to bridge the divide between the people on the stage and those in the seats. Débuting with the company with this Herculean labor, Italian conductor Riccardo Frizza brings to the Windy City an acquaintance with Italian repertory that might justifiably be characterized as one of today’s most productive love affairs” (Voix des Arts).

Norma opens at Lyric Opera of Chicago on January 28. Explore the production here.