Freedom Ride

Chicago Opera Theater

Chicago, IL

“A marvel on many levels… With a score of great beauty and emotional insight that draws on everything from gospel, blues and spirituals to Hebrew prayer and classical opera, it simultaneously explores the human dimension of political activism (or retreat), the spiritual component driving the Freedom Riders, the variety of attitudes toward the effort in its time, and the often forgotten bond between African Americans and Jews. The musicians of the Chicago Sinfonietta are led Lidiya Yankovskaya – Chicago Opera Theater’s ever-adventurous and impassioned music director, who helped nurture this project. Together they captured to perfection every musical style in this formidable new addition to the operatic repertoire.”
–Hedy Weiss, WTTW

“Shore’s score elegantly merged high-flown operatic melody with gospel-tinged ensemble writing. Conductor and COT music director Lidiya Yankovskaya led the soloists, choirs and the Chicago Sinfonietta in a crisp performance that served populist and classical idioms with equal aplomb.”
–Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

“Music director Lidiya Yankovsyaka provided her usual alert and well-balanced conducting…”
–Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review

“Yankovskaya, who clearly has a flair for new music and the challenges that naturally come with it, provided a strong, animated presence in the pit as she closely supported the singers, propelled the action forward onstage, and drew the best from Shore’s score.”
–Kyle MacMillan, Classical Voice North America