Lyric Opera of Chicago presents A Wondrous Sound – a celebration of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus

CHICAGO (4/3/25) — Lyric Opera of Chicago brings together its renowned Orchestra and Chorus for A Wondrous Sound, a concert showcasing some of opera’s most beloved overtures and choral works. Led by Lyric’s Music Director Enrique Mazzola and hosted by Lyric’s General Director, President & CEO John Mangum, this special event will take place at the Lyric Opera House on April 16 at 7:00 p.m. and April 19 at 2:00 p.m.

The program features well-known favorites and lesser-heard gems by Puccini, Rossini, Bizet, Wagner, and more. Thoughtfully blending orchestral and choral works, the concert showcases the full range of expressive possibilities for Lyric's world-class ensembles. Maestro Mazzola and Chorus Director Michael Black have shaped a program that reflects their distinct artistry and collaboration.

“Lyric audiences know and love our Orchestra and Chorus from their vital role in every opera we produce,” says Mazzola. “This concert is special because it puts them in the spotlight, giving listeners a rare chance to experience the full depth and brilliance of these ensembles outside the context of a staged production.”

“For the Lyric Opera Chorus, this is an exciting opportunity to perform a range of music that extends beyond traditional opera,” says Black. “Audiences will hear the power and nuance of the chorus in a way that’s different from what they experience in a fully staged performance.”

The concert will feature orchestral overtures, including the Carmen overture, alongside choral selections like the Soldiers’ Chorus from Faust and the Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly. The program will feature selections from Broadway’s golden age, including Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel and Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, broadening its appeal to a wider audience.

Pre-concert talks will be led by former Lyric dramaturg Roger Pines, offering context and insight into the repertoire one hour before each performance.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit lyricopera.org/WondrousSound.

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About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is where the world sings — and where Chicago comes alive.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric stands at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic purpose, harnessing the full power of opera — voice, orchestra, stagecraft, and story — to illuminate the questions, emotions, and experiences that define us as human beings. Nearly 75 seasons of world-class performances have made Lyric one of the greatest opera companies in the world. What drives us now is what has always driven us: the belief that this art form, at its best, can move people in ways nothing else can.

Lyric is also Chicago’s partner — in its neighborhoods, its schools, and its communities — through education, engagement, and a relentless commitment to making opera accessible, relevant, and irresistible to everyone. At the heart of that commitment is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, which trains the artists who will carry this art form into its future. Every night when the curtain rises, Lyric reminds this city — and the world — why live performance still matters.

Lyric Opera of Chicago doesn’t just present opera, it redefines what opera can be. It’s where Chicago comes to be moved, inspired, and connected.

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