Pared Down to the Singers and Orchestra, ‘Sunday in the Park With Lyr…

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble performing at “Sunday in the Park With Lyric.” (Kyle Flubacker)

I confess: A while back, when I first heard the title of Lyric Opera’s plans for an outdoor concert on the Pritzker Pavilion stage in Millennium Park this summer, I thought it would be a production of Stephen Sondheim’s glorious musical, “Sunday in the Park With George,” performed by opera singers rather than Broadway artists. But I soon realized it would be something quite different, and that the program coming up was simply making use of a beguiling title.

As it turned out, something altogether wonderful happened this past Sunday evening as the cleverly titled program served as an ideal introduction to the six operas to be performed during Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2023-24 season. In addition, the free performance (that attracted an audience of about 6,500 people!) turned out to be a stunning showcase for the stellar artists of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center…