Opera Festival of Chicago- “The Love of Three Kings” reviewed by Frank Meccia

Review: Opera Festival of Chicago Opens Fifth Season with a Rare Gem
REVIEWED BY: FRANK MECCIA

The Opera Festival of Chicago launched its fifth season with a bold and rewarding choice: The Love of Three Kings (L’amore dei tre re) by Italo Montemezzi, an opera not seen on a Chicago stage in over 70 years. This three-act work, composed in the early 1900s, once enjoyed great popularity among opera lovers but fell into obscurity after World War II. The festival’s decision to revive it is both daring and refreshing — and they delivered a gripping performance that reminded us why this opera deserves a second life.

As its title suggests, The Love of Three Kings is steeped in classic operatic themes: love, lust, betrayal, murder, and revenge. Tenor Andrea Silvestrelli was commanding in the role of Archibaldo, the blind German king of the fictional Kingdom of Altura. His deep, resonant voice and imposing presence perfectly embodied the complex character.
Maria Kanyova portrayed Fiora, the tragic and conflicted daughter-in-law of Archibaldo. While her voice lacked power in certain moments, her emotional performance and stage presence brought Fiora to life. Franco Pomponi played Manfredo, Archibaldo’s son and Fiora’s war-hardened husband. Pomponi’s rich tenor effectively conveyed both vulnerability and suppressed rage.

Andrew Morstein, in the role of Avito — Fiora’s lover — brought passion and vocal finesse. A baritone with a remarkable instrument, Morstein stood out as a strong romantic lead.
The production, under the stage direction of Sasha Gerritson and the baton of conductor Emanuele Andrizzi, featured a 35-piece orchestra and a 33-member chorus — a thrilling ensemble that gave the opera its full dramatic scope. The Athenæum Theatre on Southport Street proved a fantastic venue. Its acoustics were superb, and the intimate setting allowed the audience to feel fully immersed in the unfolding drama.

This performance exemplified what makes the Opera Festival of Chicago special: bold programming, top-tier musicianship, and accessibility. Tickets for this production ranged from $25–$50 — a remarkable value for such a high-caliber evening of opera.

Looking ahead, the festival continues with Love Is A Triangle at the Jarvis Opera Hall at DePaul University on June 14, followed by Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie on June 27 and 29. With Pagliacci, one of the pillars of Italian opera, the festival promises another powerful and emotional experience.
Tickets and more information are available at www.operafestivalchicago.org.

The Opera Festival of Chicago is fast establishing itself as a vital cultural force in the city. With a focus on rarely performed Italian masterpieces and a platform for emerging professional talent, it’s a fresh and exciting alternative to the larger institutions. If they continue delivering productions of this quality, the Lyric Opera may need to keep an eye on this rising star.