By John von Rhein [Chicago Tribune, 18 March 2010]
When persistent bronchitis forced Anne Schwanewilms to withdraw from the cast of Lyric Opera’s fine revival of “The Marriage of Figaro,” the company again turned to one of its own to help keep the show afloat. Replacing her for the remaining five performances of Mozart’s comedy is American soprano Nicole Cabell, who took over the role of Countess Almaviva on Monday, little more than a month after she portrayed Adina in the company’s “Elixir of Love.”