CHICAGO (1/18/24) — Terence Blanchard’s "opera in jazz" Champion — on stage at Lyric Opera of Chicago from January 27 to February 11 — follows the life and legacy of legendary boxer Emile Griffith as he grapples with difficult decisions in both the boxing ring and his private life. Directed by James Robinson, the production brings an astonishing cast and creative team, a tremendous jazz-infused score, and extraordinary choreography to the Lyric stage. In celebration of Champion’s Chicago premiere, Lyric's Learning and Civic Engagement department, Lyric Unlimited will present an array of events that build upon the production’s themes and offer intriguing insights into the world of opera and life outside the ring.
Two special events that are open to the public:
- Opening Saturday, January 27 and on free public display at Lyric until Friday, February 9: A new photography exhibition by acclaimed photographer Patric McCoy, concrete, rose., opens in Lyric’s beautiful art deco Grand Foyer. The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. and available during all performances through February 9.|
The exhibit, curated by Viktor L. Ewing-Givens, showcases photographs taken in the 1980s — at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic — in Harold Washington-era Chicago. The characters in the images are much like Emile Griffith, Afro-diasporic men navigating the fine lines between the personal and the socially accepted.
In conjunction with Champion’s opening night on Saturday, January 27, tickets are available for a special opening night celebration of Patric McCoy’s exhibition, including welcome drinks and a conversation with McCoy and Ewing-Givens, moderated by WFMT’s Oliver Camacho. For more information, contact Brittany Gonzalez Camuy at bgonzalez@lyricopera.org.
- Thursday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m., in partnership with Center on Halsted, Lyric Unlimited presents A Night OUT with Dr. Lady J. Dr. Lady J., the world’s first (and only) drag queen with a PhD, in musicology, gives a lecture Castrated Superstars, Cross-Dressed Divas, and Queer Lovers: A History of Drag in Opera. Dr. Lady J. is well known for her dissertation "From the Love Ball to RuPaul: The Mainstreaming of Drag in the 1990s." Her research and educational outreach focus on fighting the historical erasure of marginalized drag communities and bringing forward the contributions drag performers have made to politics, music, film, fashion, and popular culture. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and light reception follows the presentation and discussion; tickets are $10 and are available at lyricopera.org/drladyj.
The Lyric Opera House will open two hours prior to all performances of Champion, for exhibit viewing and to take in the pre-opera talk with Roderick K. Hawkins that will happen one hour prior to each performance. Additionally, Lyric is offering a variety of events for audiences to experience at performances of Champion.
Wednesday, January 31 performance
Opera Insights: The Black Liberation Movement in Classical Music.
Moderated by University of Michigan music professor Dr. Antonio C. Cuyler, this post-performance event features a conversation with composer Ahmed Alabaca, bass-baritone Nicholas Newton, WFMT’s LaRob Rafael, and two members of the composers collaborative known as the Blacknificent 7: Jessie Montgomery and Damien Geter. The panel will explore and investigate Black characters in opera, Black composers in classical music, and Black music’s powerful influence on opera’s past, present, and future as an art form. The event will begin immediately following the performance. Audiences who are not attending the Champion performance are invited to attend a free pre-conversation reception at 4:00 p.m., with advance registration at lyricopera.org/champion-insights.
Saturday, February 3 performance
College Night: Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to attend the Champion performance with a special pre-show event at the $20 NEXT student ticket price.
Jazz Night: Lyric invites all jazz fans and members of the jazz community to this performance of Champion at a special discounted rate. Patrons can use promotional code JAZZ50 to receive special pricing.
Tuesday, February 6 performance
Dr. Lady J. comes to Lyric with Drag Night OUT at the Opera, featuring a Red Carpet Drag Walk and the opportunity to mix and mingle with Dr. Lady J. at a private intermission reception with a cash bar and complimentary light bites. For more information, please contact Brittany Gonzalez Camuy at bgonzalez@lyricopera.org.
Friday, February 9 performance
A Celebration of African Diasporic Art & Culture will be a commemoration of the richness of African diaspora through various social, cultural, artistic, and creative organizations. For more information, please contact Brittany Gonzalez Camuy at bgonzalez@lyricopera.org.
For more information on Terence Blanchard’s Champion and to purchase tickets: visit lyricopera.org/champion or call 312-827-5600.
