On Friday night (November 21), Billy Corgan premiered an operatic adaptation of the Smashing Pumpkins‘ iconic 1995 album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The production, titled A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness, transformed hits like “Tonight, Tonight,” “1979,” and “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” into a symphonic production featuring a full operatic cast and orchestra. Joined by soprano Sydney Mancasola and other vocalists, alongside the Lyric Opera Orchestra conducted by James Lowe, Corgan’s performance reimagined the landmark album 30 years after its release. “Opera and rock both tell stories of heightened emotions, and I am excited for both fans of my music and traditional opera fans to hear some truly inspired work; for the balance here is to honor both traditions in a magisterial way,” Corgan said of the project, which runs through November 30. Mellon Collie was originally a chart-topping double album that achieved critical acclaim and seven Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year. (Billboard)
