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Muddling the stakes, Chicago Opera Theater drives one through the heart of Verdi’s ‘Joan’

Sep 28, 2013 – 4:52 pm | 7,529 views
Joan of Arc struggles with the devil's emissaries in Verdi's 'Giovanna d'Arco' Chicago Opera Theater 2013 (Liz Lauren)

Review: Does the middling label “lesser,” in the habitually repeated rankings of Verdi operas, give presenters a green light to “fix” things that may not be broken? Stage director David Schweizer fell into that trap with the Chicago Opera Theater production of “Giovanna d’Arco.” From a musical standpoint, Verdi’s Joan of Arc opera was a stunning achievement by the 31-year-old composer. COT conductor Francesco Milioto got that. Schweizer, not so much. ★★