Performances for Students

Lyric provides teachers with the chance to bring students to a weekday matinee public performance. Your students will experience a full public performance where they can see the magic of opera come alive in all of its glory while experiencing the excitement of being a part of an audience of music lovers.

For those interested in performances outside of school hours, we also offer discounted tickets for weekday evening and weekend shows.

Pricing:

Weekday matinees: $20 per ticket
Weekday evenings: $29 per ticket
Weekend (Saturday/Sunday): $35 per ticket

All prices reflect balcony seating for students and chaperones, with no additional fees. The trip must be organized by a teacher as part of a school-approved field trip. Availability is limited for popular performances, so you may be placed on a waitlist. Premium event discounts and policies will vary.

Content advisory: All productions may include mature content and themes.

Teacher resources: Select productions will have teacher resources available 4-6 weeks prior to the performance date.

For more information leading up to your field trip, download details here.

Weekday matinee performances

Wednesday, October 7, at 2:00 p.m.

Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Justice and consequences, freedom vs responsibility, desire and power

Summary
A thrilling fable of deceit and retribution about a reckless nobleman, Don Giovanni, who spends his life seducing women and avoiding consequences, until his actions catch up to him. With a mix of high drama, sharp humor, and an exquisite score, this opera blends comedy and tragedy to show that actions ultimately have consequences. Sung in Italian with projected English titles.

Running time is 3 hours 25 minutes, including 1 intermission

Wednesday, November 18, at 2:00 p.m.

Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti

Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Love, pride and humility, social expectations

Summary
A delightful comedy about an older man, Don Pasquale, who tries to outsmart his nephew by arranging a marriage — but ends up being tricked himself. With the help of clever disguises and a fake bride, the younger characters teach Don Pasquale a lesson about love, pride, and generosity. In the end, find out if true love can conquer all.  Sung in Italian with projected English titles.

Running time is 2 hours 40 minutes, including 1 intermission.

Wednesday, March 17, at 2:00 p.m.

Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss

Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Love, loss, renewal, and the value of art and entertainment

Summary
This playful opera tells the story of Ariadne, who has been abandoned on an island and is heartbroken, believing she will never love again. A lively group of comedians interrupts her sorrow, and through humor and new encounters, Ariadne discovers hope and the possibility of moving forward. The opera blends serious drama with comedy to show how grief and joy can exist side by side. Sung in German with projected English titles.

Running time 2 hours 40 minutes, including 1 intermission

Wednesday, March 31, at 2:00 p.m.

La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi

La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Mortality, society judgement, sacrifice

Summary
Violetta falls in love with Alfredo and dreams of a new life, but is pressured to give him up because of her past and social expectations. As Violetta’s  health declines, the two are reunited, but their happiness is short-lived. The story highlights love, sacrifice, and the impact of society’s judgments woven together with Verdi’s sumptuous score. Sung in Italian with projected English titles.

Running time is 3 hours 5 minutes, including 2 intermissions.

Wednesday, April 14, at 2:00 p.m.

Susannah by Carlisle Floyd

Susannah by Carlisle Floyd

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Abuse of authority, hypocrisy, innocence vs corruption

Summary
A young woman in a small Appalachian town is wrongly accused of immoral behavior and shunned by her community. As rumors spread and pressure grows, Susannah struggles to defend herself against fear, judgment, and injustice. Themes of prejudice, rumor, and the consequences of false accusations unfold with a taut, visceral libretto and a score that infuses lush orchestration with flavors of Broadway and American folk music. Sung in English with projected English titles.

Running time is 2 hours 10 minutes, including 1 intermission.

Wednesdays, June 9 & June 16, at 1:30 p.m.

Guys & Dolls by Frank Loesser

Guys & Dolls by Frank Loesser

Recommended grade level
Middle and high school students

Major themes
Community and belonging, luck vs. responsibility

Summary
This classic musical comedy is set in New York City, where gamblers and showgirls cross paths with missionaries trying to save souls. The story follows Sky Masterson, who makes a bet that leads him to fall in love with Sarah Brown, while Nathan Detroit struggles to keep his long-time fiancée happy. Filled with humor and catchy songs, Guys & Dolls celebrates love, luck, and personal change.

Running time is 2 hours and 40 minutes, including 1 intermission.

Reserve student tickets

This request is for $20 student tickets (balcony seating). Please fill out the form and a member of the group sales team will contact you within 3-5 business days to confirm order details.

Group seating preference

Note: All schools are automatically seated in the upper balcony

Payment options
How would you like to receive your tickets?
Special requests

Additional ticketing details

Weekday matinee tickets are $20 for students and chaperones in balcony seating while select inventory remains available. Once you reserve tickets, the group sales team will confirm your reservation. A non-refundable deposit will be required for groups of 50 or more. Final payment and headcount will be required 60-90 days in advance of the performance unless otherwise discussed with group sales.

Contact Lyric's Group Sales team at [email protected] or at 312.827.5720 with questions.

Performances for Students Sponsors

Major Lyric Unlimited support provided by the Nancy W. Knowles Student and Family Performances Fund. 

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. William C. Vance

Mrs. James S. Aagaard

Anonymous Donor

John and Rosemary Brown Family Foundation

Eisen Family Foundation

Dan J. Epstein

Judy Guitelman

Dan J. Epstein Family Foundation

Shirley and Benjamin Gould Endowment Fund

Dan and Caroline Grossman

John Hart and Carol Prins

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Matt and Carrie Parr/ PJT Partners

Dr. Scholl Foundation

Segal Family Foundation

Lyric Unlimited Chicago Public Schools Bus Scholarships are supported by the U.S. Bank Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. William C. Vance. 

Negaunee Education Programs: Sponsors

BMO Harris Bank
CNA
U.S. Bank
United Airlines

Penelope R. Steiner

Dr. Scholl Foundation

Mazza Foundation

Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

Polk Bros. Foundation

Elaine S. Frank Fund

Decyk Watts Charitable Foundation

Terry J. Medhurst

John Hart & Carol Prins

Anonymous Donor

The Siragusa Family Foundation

Dr. & Mrs. Mark Bowen

Helen Brach Foundation

Jane Colman

Mr. Donald Clark

Gerald Padury

Photo: Kyle Flubacker

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