safronia: A Chicago story born on Chicago’s greatest stage

 
CHICAGO (4/21/2026) — Lyric Opera of Chicago has completed its triumphant, sold-out world premiere run of safronia, the landmark new opera by Chicago’s inaugural Poet Laureate avery r. young, performed April 17 and 18, 2026 at the historic Lyric Opera House.

Rooted in blues, gospel, funk, and the call-and-response traditions of the Black church, safronia tells the story of the Booker family’s return to Mississippi to bury their patriarch and reclaim land stripped from them — a reckoning with memory, inheritance, and the unfinished business of American history.

young, who composed the libretto and score, also performed in his own work as baar jacob booker — a role drawn from his own great-grandfather's journey north during the Great Migration. This world premiere, five years in the making, featured young alongside Meagan McNeal, Maiesha McQueen, Jeff Award winner Lorenzo Rush, Jr., and Grammy Award winner Zachary James as well as longtime Chicago actor Jeff Parker.

Director Timothy Douglas led a creative team built for new work, including costume designer Jessica Jahn, associate lighting designer Sarah Riffle, sound designer Stephanie Farina, video designer VAM Studio, and choreographer Kia Smith.

The Lyric Opera Orchestra, conducted by Paul Byssainthe, Jr., joined forces with members of young’s ensemble de deacon board, featuring three-time Grammy nominee and Blues Hall of Fame inductee Billy Branch on harmonica and Chicago jazz pianist Theodis Rodgers Jr. on keyboards. In total, more than 60 artists — 14 principal singers and 47 musicians — filled  the Lyric stage for these historic performances.

The spirit of safronia will live on beyond its Lyric world premiere: avery r. young and Timothy Douglas will bring a new production to Court Theatre — the Tony Award-winning professional theater of the University of Chicago — with performances May 14 – June 13, 2027. More information is at courttheatre.org/season-tickets/2026-2027-season/safronia.
 
View safronia images here

Lyric Opera's Season is presented by

Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline, United Airlines, and acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.

United Airlines
Illinois Arts Council

About Lyric

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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