Lyric Opera Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Lyric Opera of Chicago. Here you will find current audition opportunities across the company.

Singers and instrumentalists wishing to receive audition information from Lyric Opera of Chicago or The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center may contact the appropriate administrators as follows:

There are currently no chorus auditions. 

Assistant Principal Bassoon/Contrabassoon Auditions

Auditions to be held October 27–31, 2026
Successful candidate to start in September 2027

Currently, the Bassoon Section consists of two musicians, Principal and Assistant Principal/Contrabassoon. As such, the Assistant Principal Bassoon/Contrabassoon currently performs primarily as Second Bassoon, is responsible for Principal Bassoon when the Principal is not in attendance (typically, at least one opera per season), Contrabassoon whenever required, and any other needed parts in the section.

The Contract

In the 2027/2028 season, players will receive:

• 22-week contract (late September–late April)
• Base rate of $3,346.79 per week (total base pay of $73,629.38)
• Additional 10% Principal overscale pay (additional $7,362.94)
• Additional 18% vacation pay (additional $14,578.62)
• 11.99% pension
• Sick and personal time
• Year-round health and life insurance, including dental and vision
• Group term life insurance in the amount of $50,000
• Optional pre-tax deductions for flexible spending, dependent care, and 403(b) retirement savings
• Additional paid performance opportunities through various arms of the company, including Lyric Unlimited and the Musical Theater Initiative

The Audition

Preliminary Round

• Tuesday, October 27, 2026
• Wednesday, October 28, 2026
• Thursday, October 29, 2026

Semi-Final and Final Rounds

• Friday, October 30, 2026
• Saturday, October 31, 2026

Note: While the dates reserved for semi-finals and finals will not change, we may not use both days. The final schedule will depend on the number of auditionees advancing from the preliminary round.

A candidate who does not initially advance to the semi-final or final round of auditions may be invited to do so at the conclusion of the preliminary and/or semi-final rounds. This candidate will be notified promptly of their invitation to advance.

Vacancies resulting from the selection of a current Orchestra member for a principal or assistant principal position may be filled at that time by any other player who auditioned in the same final audition.

Audition Repertoire

To request the Assistant Principal Bassoon/Contrabassoon audition repertoire, please email the auditions coordinator at [email protected].

The Application Process

Please send a cover letter, resume, and deposit check for $50.00 to:

Lyric Opera of Chicago
Attn: Orchestra Personnel Manager
Assistant Principal Bassoon/Contrabassoon Audition
20 North Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

Your cover letter should include your first, second, and third choice for your audition date. Times will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Alternatively, you may submit your cover letter and résumé electronically by replying to this email. Please note that audition times will only be confirmed upon receipt of all requested materials, including your $50.00 deposit. Submission of your résumé alone will not guarantee an audition time.

The Deadlines

Submission of Materials

Postmarked by Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Submissions received after this date will not be accepted for planning purposes.

Cancellations

Except in emergencies, cancellations must be made at least 5 business days prior to your audition date to recoup your deposit.

There are no dance auditions at this time. 

Lyric Opera of Chicago's music staff consists of cover conductors, répétiteurs, and prompters. If you you like to be considered for a position on Lyric Opera's music staff, please email your résumé and references to [email protected]. If you are interested in cover conducting and have conducting reels available to you, please be sure to include them.

Alternate contact information is:
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Music Staff Auditions
20 N. Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

There are no musical theater auditions currently scheduled.

Lyric grants auditions for principal roles to professional opera singers on an invitation-only basis. The artist's management should email [email protected] with requests for an audition.

 

To request an information packet about becoming a supernumerary at Lyric Opera of Chicago, please email Tommy Novak, super captain, at [email protected].

 

There are no Lyric Unlimited Auditions at this time. 

Singer applications for the 2027/2028 Ensemble have closed. Application information for the 2028/2029 Ensemble will become available late Fall 2026. For questions about the Ryan Opera Center's application and audition process, please contact Logan Skirm at [email protected].

 

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Photo: Todd Rosenberg