Backstage tours

September 26. 2020 - November 21. 2020

Upcoming Dates

September 26. 2020 - November 21. 2020

Backstage Tours at Lyric Opera

Lyric Opera of Chicago invites you to experience the Lyric Opera House beyond the footlights with backstage tours! 

From the moment you enter the beautiful and impressive foyer, you’ll be in for a special, one-hour experience with an engaging Lyric docent who will give you behind-the-scenes insights into the vibrant world of grand opera.

See the inside of the historic Ardis Krainik Theatre, enjoy an up-close-and-personal view of the orchestra pit where the acclaimed Lyric Orchestra plays, and then journey on to backstage destinations where you’ll learn about the vast array of skilled professionals who bring operatic stagecraft to life.

Tours start and end in the Lyric Opera House Rice Grand Foyer!

There are no backstage tours currently scheduled.

  • Running Time: Approximately 1 hour
  • Location: Lyric Opera House (Entrance at the corner of Madison St. and Wacker Dr.)

More backstage tour options

Student tours

Student tours

Bring your student group to Lyric to learn more about the arts in a setting where questions and dialogue are encouraged.

As students journey through the various production areas, they learn about the myriad elements that combine to create a grand opera performance and the vast array of professional skills involved. They see places and things that most Lyric patrons only dream of seeing, and they leave the tour with lasting insider knowledge about the world of opera.

Virtual tour

Virtual tour

Do you miss coming to the Lyric Opera House in person? We do, too. But, you can visit from home in this virtual tour. Learn about the history of the building and take a look backstage. It's a field trip from the comfort of your own home!

Tour accessibility

Lyric Opera backstage tours are accessible to visitors using a wheelchair or walker and to other guests who need to avoid stairs. Additional accommodations are available upon request for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Guide and service animals are allowed along the tour.

For additional questions regarding tour accessibility, please contact backstagetours@lyricopera.org.

Photos: Kyle Flubacker