Lyric Opera opens season with Mozart

Lyric Opera of the North opens its 20th anniversary season with a comedy double bill. Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. At the St. Louis County Depot in Duluth. Tickets available at loonopera.org or by calling 218.464.0922.

Mozart’s “The Impresario” is LOON’s homage to its founder, Ruth Jacobson, and to all who have worked to create opera through the ages. This one-act opera has a new script from Jeffrey Madison, who also co-stars in the opera. After intermission, and 100 years later, a different fictional opera company tells another story. “Circe on Superior” is an opera within an opera, with glimpses of musical theater throughout, plus a ballet, and hundreds of hydrangeas.

Audiences can expect virtuosic singing, a bit of LOON nostalgia via the scenic elements, classical music (Mozart), brand new music (Hilliard) and a baroque-inspired opera (also Hilliard). The show is ideal for fans of “Les Uncomfortables,” “Don Pasqaule,” “The Filthy Habit,” Greek mythology, local references, and hydrangeas.