Lyric Opera videos

Learn more about our operas, musicals, and other productions with exclusive interviews with artists and creative team members, backstage looks, musical highlights, and more in our video library. Watch video trailers from our past and current seasons and get an inside look at what's on stage at Lyric.

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Lyric opera of Chicago presents WEST SIDE STORY

Leonard Bernstein's music and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics transplant Romeo and Juliet to the backstreets of New York City in this timeless Broadway musical masterpiece. Tony and Maria are wide-eyed teenagers from two communities in conflict, who fall in love. As their friends and family battle with one another, Tony and Maria long for "a place for us...somewhere." Their songs illuminate every scene and permeate our culture, from the romance of "Maria" and "Tonight" to the exuberance of "America" and the humor of "Gee, Officer Krupke." Add to that the bold, sexy, iconic choreography of Jerome Robbins that smolders and sizzles with energy, and you have a timeless musical theater experience you'll never forget.

Meet the cast of WEST SIDE STORY // On stage through June 25

Bernstein's Broadway blockbuster is back at Lyric Opera of Chicago, June 2-25! Filled with stars of stage and screen, get to know the cast of WEST SIDE STORY and see what has them excited about this larger-than-life production.

"Something's Coming" from WEST SIDE STORY

Corey Cott performs "Something's Coming" in Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2018/19 production of West Side Story — Bernstein and Sondheim's beloved Broadway hit.

Choreographer Joshua Bergasse on WEST SIDE STORY

"It's so athletic, it's so story-driven and character-driven, and I think that's what makes it always fresh — when it's performed so well."

Emmy and Drama Desk Award-winning choreographer Joshua Bergasse discusses his history with West Side Story and the enduring power of Jerome Robbins's original choreography.

"Gee, Officer Krupke": Adam Soniak and Jets - WEST SIDE STORY

Adam Soniak and the Jets perform "Gee, Officer Krupke" in Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2018/19 production of WEST SIDE STORY — Bernstein and Sondheim's beloved Broadway hit.

 

Francesca Zambello on Lyric Opera's WEST SIDE STORY

In this interview with the renowned opera and theater director, Francesca Zambello talks about her larger-than-life production of West Side Story. 

WEST SIDE STORY returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago

Lyric's larger-than-life new production and company premiere of West Side Story took Chicago by storm with sold-out performances. With the lush sound of the Lyric Orchestra playing the original orchestrations and a cast that was called "expansive" by the Chicago Tribune, seeing a Broadway classic this way is a rare treat.

 

Andrei Kymach performs the "Toreador Song" from Bizet's CARMEN

Votre toast, Toreador! In this iconic scene from Bizet's Carmen, we are introduced to the boastful bullfighter, Escamillo (sung here by Ukrainian baritone Andrei Kymach in his Lyric debut). Swaggering around Lillas Pastia's, he catches Carmen's eye, much to the chagrin of her current flame, Don José.

Daniel Bernard Roumain on the musical language of THE WALKERS (PROXIMITY)

Haitian-American composer Daniel Bernard Roumain (@dbrmusic) discusses the influence of Black American music — from hip-hop to jazz, rock, and soul — on his newest opera, The Walkers.

Get a glimpse inside an early working rehearsal and see the fully realized production of this genre-bending work onstage as part of Proximity

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents the world premiere of PROXIMITY

Sure to be one of the most widely heralded musical events of 2022/23, Proximity is a gripping, powerful trio of new works that confronts head-on some of the greatest challenges affecting us as a society: yearning for connection in a world driven by technology; the devastating impact of gun violence on cities and neighborhoods; and the need to respect and protect our natural resources. As the story zooms in and out from the individual to the community to the cosmic, we find ourselves in a compelling snapshot of 21st century life, with all of its complex intersections and commonalities. This new Lyric commission, bringing together a complement of some of the most important creative minds of our time, including winners of the Pulitzer Prize, Grammy Awards, and the MacArthur Genius Grant, promises to be by turns riveting, provocative, and inspiring.

Proximity: Creating a World Premiere

Proximity: Creating a World Premiere is a documentary co-produced by Lyric Unlimited, Learning & Creative Engagement and Street Level, a program of Urban Gateways that explores the making of a trio of new American operas by Lyric Opera of Chicago. Featuring interviews with the director, composers, librettists, and community collaborators; the film explores the creative process, the challenges of bringing a new opera to life, and the importance of community engagement.

Director Marie Lambert-Le Bihan on the magic of CARMEN

Carmen is a character full of contradictions — equal parts brave and vulnerable. In this conversation, director Marie Lambert-Le Bihan discusses why audiences connect with this multifaceted character and the artistic commitment necessary to play the iconic role.

John Holiday and Zoie Reams on working with living composers

Much of the traditional operatic repertoire was created long ago, leaving any future interpretation up to directors, conductors, and individual artists. In this episode of "Mixing it Up," Proximity stars John Holiday and Zoie Reams discuss the perks of collaborating with living composers and librettists like Caroline Shaw, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Anna Deavere Smith, and John Luther Adams.

J’Nai Bridges performs "L’amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Habanera) from CARMEN

Carmen is a woman who knows how to make an entrance. In this seductive Act I aria, the men outside the cigarette factory hang on her every word as she sings about the fickle nature of love.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Bizet's CARMEN

Carmen is irresistible from the first note of the electrifying prelude right to the end of the devastating finale. The immortal tale of the restless, free-spirited heroine and Don José, the soldier who's drawn to her in a truly "fatal attraction," Carmen has long been one of the world's favorite operas. It returns this season in the company's vividly colorful, powerfully dramatic production with dynamic Ryan Opera Center alumna J'Nai Bridges, who is now enjoying a dazzling career internationally, in the title role. Partnering with her is Charles Castronovo, one of the world's most acclaimed tenors. You'll be drawn to the drama like moth to flame as this alluring opera brings you along to its edge-of-your-seat ending.

Anna Deavere Smith on THE WALKERS (PROXIMITY)

Award-winning actress and playwright Anna Deavere Smith is known for her hit roles in dramas like The West Wing, Nurse Jackie, and more. However, it was her documentary-style play "Notes from the Field" that inspired Renée Fleming to bring her on board for Lyric's newest world premiere opera, Proximity. In The Walkers, Smith transforms first-hand accounts from Chicagoans into a searing libretto set to music by composer Daniel Bernard Roumain. 

PROXIMITY: A first look at the innovative set design

Composed of 440 LED panels, the high-tech set for Proximity is unlike anything you've ever seen before. Hear how this groundbreaking design evolved from director Yuval Sharon and production designer Jason H. Thompson, and watch the infinite possibilities unfold onstage March 24-April 8.

J'Nai Bridges and Golda Schultz on the women of CARMEN

Is Carmen a femme fatale? Is Micaëla the perfect girl next door? In this conversation, Carmen stars J'Nai Bridges (Carmen) and Golda Schultz (Micaëla) discuss their characters and the expectations and labels placed upon them. 

Yuval Sharon introduces you to PROXIMITY: A TRIO OF NEW AMERICAN OPERAS

Sure to be one of the most widely heralded musical events of 2022/23, Proximity is a gripping, powerful trio of new works that confronts head-on some of the greatest challenges affecting us as a society: yearning for connection in a world driven by technology; the devastating impact of gun violence on cities and neighborhoods; and the need to respect and protect our natural resources.

Breaking Down the Score of THE FACTOTUM

Pulling inspiration from diverse musical genres like funk, hip-hop, barbershop quartet, trap, and more, The Factotum is a new kind of opera. In this video, hear how co-creators Will Liverman and DJ King Rico were able to weave in so many musical styles and modern touches while still allowing the classical voice to shine.

2021|22 Season

Lyric Opera of Chicago returns to live performances with a landmark 2021/22 Season. Maestro Enrique Mazzola begins his first season as music director with a thrilling lineup of operas, from fresh takes on beloved classics to brilliant works you’ve never seen before. 

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2020|21 Season

Lyric is thrilled to present an exciting slate of virtual performance experiences giving you a multitude of ways to continue to make music, opera, and Lyric a part of your life.

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2019|20 Season

Come experience all that our new season has to offer at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Lyric is ready to dazzle you with season that promises thought-provoking drama, suspense, laughter, theater that will whisk you to faraway worlds, and the visceral passion of timeless music. This is Lyric—and the 2019/20 Season is one of our biggest ever, from our grand-scale productions to our monumental Ring cycles. Please join us for the 2019/20 Season—we promise that it will be a season to remember!

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2018|19 Season

Watch trailers and get a behind the scenes look at the operas of our 2018/19 season: La bohème, Idomeneo, Siegfried, Il trovatore, Cendrillon, Elektra, La traviata, Ariodante, West Side Story, An American Dream, and Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt.

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2017|18 Season

Watch trailers and get a behind the scenes look at the operas of our 2017/18 season: Orphée et Eurydice, Rigoletto, Die Walküre, The Pearl Fishers, Turandot, I Puritani, Così fan tutte, Faust, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fellow Travelers, and more.

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2016|17 Season

Watch trailers and get a behind the scenes look at the operas of our 2016/17 season: Das Rheingold, Lucia di Lammermoor, Les Troyens (The Trojans), Don Quichotte, The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte), Norma, Carmen, Eugene Onegin, My Fair Lady, and more.

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2015|16 Season

Watch trailers and get a behind the scenes look at the operas of our 2015/16 season: The Marriage of Figaro, Cinderella, Wozzeck, The Merry Widow, Bel Canto, Nabucco, Der Rosenkavalier, Romeo and Juliet, The King & I, and more.

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2014|15 Season

Watch trailers and get a behind the scenes look at the operas of our 2014/15 season: Don Giovanni, Capriccio, Il trovatore, Porgy and Bess, Anna Bolena, Tosca, Tannhäuser, The Passenger, Carousel, and more.

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Photo: Robert Kusel