Smoke, storms, and soaring spirits in Lyric Opera’s 'Florencia en el Amazonas'

Love is often regarded as life’s greatest escape -- a transcendent and transformative experience that floods the senses and loosens our grip on reality. This untethering effect of such impassioned emotion can either be a spiral, or it can be a release. The Lyric Opera strives to express the dichotomy of freedom and chaos in Florencia en el Amazonas.

Seeped in the dream-like splendor of magical realism that was a trademark of novelist Gabriel García Márquez, Florencia en el Amazonas is a Spanish-sung opera composed by the late Mexican composer Daniel Catán. The opera follows a steamboat (christened El Dorado) carrying its puzzling passengers down the Amazon River to Manaus, Brazil. A synopsis of the plot may be found here.

This opera focuses on expressing love in its various forms, and the magic therein stems from the passions and longings of each character. As such, Catán writes a rich, romantic score with soaring lines rife with motion; however, as Catán’s vocal lines evoke the intense internal feelings of love, what would be quiet, private moments of tenderness are made much more grandiose in staggering contrast. The power of this “magical realism” tends to supplant reality, rather than enhance it. As a result, much of the score, while beautiful, rings with an undertone of homogeneity.

Even so, director Francesca Zambello immerses the audience in this languid blanket, blurring the line between reality and fiction as dancing spirits tease the riverboat’s crew. The exaggerated emotionality of these characters is further developed as characters play with each of the riverboats two levels. However, a difficulty of Florencia en el Amazonas lies in conveying intimacy within the bold melodies that Catán employs. On a steamboat in constant motion down a winding river, perhaps stillness is the rarest and most powerful of commodities.

Another challenge of such a grandiose score is the necessity of aesthetic splendor. The design team of this production takes such a task in capable stride. Set design from Peter J. Davison is magnificent -- a full-size river boat rotates on stage amidst lush green branches framing the sides of the proscenium. The humble El Dorado even blows steam from its smokestack in lively detail. Davison spares no nuance in this beautifully crafted marvel. 

Choreographer Eric Sean Fogel captures the mirth of dreams with his approach to the dancing spirits of the Amazon River. One phrase grounded as the earth, the next, as fluid as serpents swimming in space, this dynamic choreography tells a story of a fickle and ever-changing landscape sprawling beneath the waves of the river, and in the hearts of those aboard the steamboat.

Evening gowns and mystic spirits alike burst to life adorned with the costume design of Catherine Zuber. Intricately ornamental spiritual garb contrasts the sensible period dress of the living world.

To bring the world to life, Mark McCullough lends a rich pallet from every extreme of the spectrum to his lighting design. Illuminating the Amazon with golden sunrises, wicked storms, and everything in between, McCullough maintains a painter’s precision in his attention to dynamic lightplay.

No opera is complete without a conductor at the helm. Jordan de Souza doesn’t miss a beat, facilitating a dynamic musical journey through the Amazon. His scrutinizing hand guides a powerful cast of voices.

Ethan Vincent shines as the mystical Riolobo. Whether climbing boat railings, or soaring through the eye of a storm on unfurled wings, Vincent’s smooth baritone is a perfect envoy for a spirit so friendly yet mysterious. 

Ana María Martínez dauntlessly glides through the soaring register of the titular Florencia Grimaldi. The soprano navigates Catán’s score with grace, passionately diving into the role of a woman seeking release from the remorse of her past.

Plucky and confident, Gabriella Reyes captivates as Rosalba, intelligent ingenue of this opera. With resounding presence and flawless technique, Reyes portrays the naive resolve of a young woman renouncing the distraction of love in the face of her work.

The Lyric Opera’s production of Florencia en el Amazonas is an artfully produced spectacle -- a feast for the eyes. An arduous journey through the jungle is mirrored by a score dedicated to the same, constant flow of the river by which the boat travels: a blanket of romantic sound for the ears. Feats of theatrical engineering make Florencia en el Amazonas are labors of love that combine magic and reality into one grand composition, ever-constant, ever in motion.

Florencia en el Amazonas runs through November 28th at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr. For tickets or more information, please call (312) 332-2244 or visit lyricopera.org.

All ticket holders will be required to show a valid photo ID and proof of full vaccination against the COVID-19 virus. Facial masks, worn properly over the nose and mouth, will be required for all patrons for the duration of their time in the theater.

Photo by Cory Weaver.

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