BY WYNNE DELACOMA [Chicago Sun-Times, 15 January 2006]

Let's try this one more time. In October 2000, Lyric Opera of Chicago unveiled a new production of Verdi's "Rigoletto" that provoked a level of controversy unusual for the company. Scores of patrons wrote letters to General Director William Mason expressing their ire at British director David Alden's concept of the work.