Family and youth programs

There is nothing like the power of introducing a young person to the world of classical music and watching the wonder and magic unfold. Through operas created for young audiences, our annual Explore Your Lyric event, and family-friendly films played with the lush sound of our live orchestra, Lyric is committed to family offerings that provide gateways to storytelling and music that will become a lifelong passion.

Explore Your Lyric

Explore Your Lyric is an activity-filled day and wonderful way to share your love for opera with family members of all ages. Whether you’re exploring the orchestra pit or the stage, or enjoying hands-on demonstrations of operatic stagecraft and costume try-ons, there’s something for everyone.

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Opera in the Neighborhoods: Public performances

Each season, Lyric offers an opera for young audiences. Created by living composers, these operas deal with topics relevant to families and kids. They are sung in English, are approximately 45 minutes long, and are accompanied with interactive learning resources. After each performance, audiences are welcomed to meet the cast of the opera.

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Opera Pathfinders

Opera Pathfinders is a dynamic civic engagement program for young people ages 16 to 21 who are passionate about opera and the performing arts. Through a mix of in-person and virtual experiences, participants build community, explore creative and administrative career pathways, and develop leadership, advocacy, and critical thinking skills.

Learn more about Opera Pathfinders

Child tickets

Introduce a young person in your life to the wonder of opera and start them early on the thrill of live music and theater performance!

Lyric offers specially priced tickets for school-age children up to age 17, priced from $20-50 for all opera performances. For more information on purchasing child tickets, our Audience Services staff is happy to assist you by phone at 312.827.5600.

Please note: We ask that all children under 17 be accompanied by an adult. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate babes in arms or lap-sitting. Child tickets are subject to availability and not retroactive to previous purchases.