2020|21 Season videos

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.

Twilight: Gods videos

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Twilight: Gods Orientation Video

Rising Stars in Concert videos

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"Suzel, buon dì” (Cherry Duet) with Martin Luther Clark & Denis Vélez

Spring has sprung! In this cheery excerpt from Lyric's 2021 Rising Stars in Concert, tenor Martin Luther Clark (Fritz) and soprano Denis Vélez (Suzel) sing of the beauty of flowers and spring in the Cherry Duet, "Suzel, buon dì," from Mascagni's L'AMICO FRITZ.

Join us for Rising Stars in Concert

Enjoy a program of rarely-heard operatic gems in the annual showcase of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center: Rising Stars in Concert. Featuring members of the 2020/21 Ensemble, the performance will be led by conductor Christopher Allen, with Ryan Opera Center pianist Chris Reynolds and a chamber ensemble of Lyric Opera Orchestra members.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear the talented artists from one of the world's leading artist-development programs in a concert designed to showcase their outstanding abilities.

Celebrating Sir Andrew Davis, from Mozart to Stravinsky videos

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“Here I Stand” with Matthew Polenzani

In this excerpt from Celebrating Sir Andrew Davis, from Mozart to Stravinsky, Sir Andrew Davis leads internationally renowned tenor Matthew Polenzani in Tom Rakewell's buoyant (and extremely self-assured) Act One aria, "Here I Stand," from Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress with members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

Peter Sagal & Sir Andrew Davis in conversation

Lyric’s Music Director Sir Andrew Davis sits down with Peter Sagal, host of NPR’s “Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!” to discuss his life and career.

Sir Andrew Davis & Peter Sagal: What makes Lyric special

In this interview with noted broadcaster and humorist Peter Sagal, Music Director Sir Andrew Davis discusses his career at Lyric Opera of Chicago and what makes the company feel like home.

Sir Andrew Davis & Peter Sagal: Becoming an opera conductor

Lyric's Music Director Sir Andrew Davis sits down with Peter Sagal, host of NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" to discuss his life and career. Discover how Sir Andrew first fell in love with opera and how his conducting career began in this exclusive interview.

Celebrating Sir Andrew Davis, from Mozart to Stravinsky

This spring, Sir Andrew Davis celebrates more than three decades of memorable music and moments at Lyric Opera of Chicago. In his final appearance as music director and principal conductor, Maestro Davis leads renowned singers Janai Brugger, Kayleigh Decker, Kyle Ketelsen, Amanda Majeski, and Matthew Polenzani in selections from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Stravinsky’s The Rake's Progress with members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra, the Lyric Opera Chorus; plus personal tributes from some of opera’s brightest stars.

Magical Music Around the World videos

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"Das Zauberlied” with Martin Luther Clark and the 2020/21 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

In this lively excerpt from Magical Music Around the World, tenor Martin Luther Clark performs "Das Zauberlied” (“The Magic Song”) with the 2020/21 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble and Music Director Craig Terry on piano. 

An Invitation from Craig Terry for Magical Music Around the World

Craig Terry invites you to our 2021 virtual Ryan Opera Center Gala, Magical Music Around the World.

The Sonata Sessions videos

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The Sonata Sessions: Rossini’s String Sonata No. 6 in D Major

Bringing The Sonata Sessions to a close is Rossini's String Sonata No. 6 in D Major performed by members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra, with Maestro Enrique Mazzola on the podium. The piece concludes with a dramatic finale titled "Allegro Tempesta," which is almost like looking 25 years into the future with the famous storm from the composer's final opera, William Tell.

The Sonata Sessions: Rossini’s String Sonata No. 5 in E-flat Major

We continue The Sonata Sessions with Rossini’s String Sonata No. 5 in E-flat Major, performed by members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and conducted by Maestro Enrique Mazzola. Mozart’s influence on the young Rossini is possibly most evident in this sonata. While this energetic piece hints at many of the composer’s future operatic overtures, one of the most interesting aspects is hearing the violins playing “sul ponticello,” (meaning playing with the bow very near to the bridge) giving the effect of a swarm of bees!

The Sonata Sessions: Rossini’s String Sonata No. 4 in B-flat Major

In this episode of The Sonata Sessions, members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra perform Rossini's String Sonata No. 4 in B-flat Major under the baton of Maestro Enrique Mazzola. This piece is a study in contrasts. It features rapid descending chromatic scales—one of the most technically challenging passages in any of Rossini's instrumental music—as well as a bouncy, almost dance-like third movement. Quite impressive for a 12 year old composer!

The Sonata Sessions: Rossini’s String Sonata No. 3 in C Major

In this episode of The Sonata Sessions, we hear Rossini's String Sonata No. 3 in C Major, played by members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra with Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola. Written in C Major, there's a perfect combination of grace and dignity, but also aggressive virtuosity. This piece is also the only sonata to break the conventional "fast-slow-fast" tempo pattern by ending with a movement marked Moderato.

The Sonata Sessions: Rossini’s String Sonata No. 2 in A Major

In this episode of The Sonata Sessions, members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra perform Rossini's String Sonata No. 2 in A Major led by Maestro Enrique Mazzola. The rhythmical variety and Rossini's ability to take his audience on a journey from soulful to dramatic to impish all in one piece, foreshadows the breadth of his future operatic output. From laugh-out-loud comedy to heart wrenching drama, Rossini could—and would—do it all.

The Sonata Sessions: Rossini’s String Sonata No. 1 in G Major

In our first episode of The Sonata Sessions, we hear Gioachino Rossini's String Sonata No. 1 in G Major, performed by members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra with Maestro Enrique Mazzola on the podium. In this piece, you'll notice that Rossini seamlessly passes the melody back and forth between the different instruments, almost like a game of basketball!

Creating The Factotum videos

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Creating The Factotum

What does it take to bring a new opera to life? Find out in this behind-the-scenes documentary by Chicago filmmaker Raphael Nash. Follow the development of The Factotum, a new opera inspired by Rossini's The Barber of Seville, created by acclaimed baritone and Ryan Opera Center alumnus Will Liverman and DJ/recording artist DJ King Rico.

Sole e Amore (Sun and Love) videos

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“In solitaria stanza” with Denis Vélez

In this excerpt from “Sole e Amore,” Ryan Opera Center soprano Denis Vélez performs one of Verdi’s best-known songs, “In solitaria stanza” (“In a lonely room”), with Maestro Enrique Mazzola on piano.

"La seduzione" with David Weigel

In this excerpt from Sole e Amore, recent Ryan Opera Center alumnus David Weigel performs Verdi's “La seduzione” (“The seduction”) with Maestro Enrique Mazzola on piano. 

“M’ama…non m’ama” with Denis Vélez

In this clip from Sole e Amore, Ryan Opera Center soprano Denis Vélez performs Mascagni’s “M’ama…non m’ama” (“He loves me…he loves me not”), with Maestro Mazzola on piano. 

“L’abbandono” with Ricardo José Rivera

In this clip from Sole e Amore, recent Ryan Opera Center alumnus Ricardo José Rivera performs the Bellini gem, “L’abbandono” (“The abandonment”), with Maestro Enrique Mazzola on piano. This melancholy song takes a surprising turn as it builds towards a lively ending.

“Casa mia” with Anthony Reed

Home is where the heart (and coffee) is! Composed in 1908, Puccini used a folk-song text for "Casa mia" ("My home"), performed here by Ryan Opera Center bass Anthony Reed with Maestro Enrique Mazzola on piano in Sole e Amore.

“Serenata” with Martin Luther Clark

In this clip from Sole e Amore, first-year tenor Martin Luther Clark performs “Serenata” (“Serenade”) by Mascagni with Maestro Enrique Mazzola on piano. Arguably the most popular of Mascagni’s 35+ songs, it was published four years after the triumph of Cavalleria rusticana.

“Sole e amore” with Katherine DeYoung

The title of our virtual concert, Sole e amore (Sun and love), comes from this Puccini song of the same name. Here, first-year mezzo-soprano Katherine DeYoung and Maestro Enrique Mazzola perform the beautiful song which first appeared in the musical supplement of Paganini magazine in 1888 and was later incorporated into the hit opera La bohème.

“Per pietà, bell’idol mio” with Maria Novella Malfatti

First-year soprano Maria Novella Malfatti performs Vincenzo Bellini's "Per pietà, bell'idol mio" ("For pity's sake, my beautiful idol") with Lyric's Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola on piano in Sole e Amore.

“E l’uccellino” with Leroy Davis

In this clip from "Sole e Amore," first-year baritone Leroy Davis performs Puccini's buoyant lullaby "E l'uccellino" ("And the little bird") with fellow Ryan Opera Center Ensemble member Chris Reynolds on piano.

“La ricordanza” with Lunga Eric Hallam

In this excerpt from Sole e Amore, first-year tenor Lunga Eric Hallam performs Bellini's "La ricordanza" ("The recollection") with Maestro Mazzola on piano. The composer would later give this memorable melody to Elvira, heroine of his final opera, I PURITANI, which was written the year after this song was published.

Sole e Amore (Sun and Love)

Revel in the sounds of Italy with Sole e Amore (Sun and Love), the latest concert from Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center.

 

Pasión Latina videos

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“El día que me quieras” with Ana María Martínez and David Portillo

In this beautiful duet from Pasión Latina, soprano Ana María Martínez and tenor David Portillo perform “El día que me quieras” (The Day That You’ll Love Me) by the Argentinian tango master, Carlos Gardel. They are joined by Craig Terry on piano.

En este hermoso dueto de Pasión Latina, la soprano Ana María Martínez y el tenor David Portillo interpretan “El día que me quieras” del maestro del tango argentino, Carlos Gardel. Se les une en el piano Craig Terry.

“La Llorona” with Denis Vélez

Accompanying herself on guitar, first-year Ryan Opera Center soprano Denis Vélez performs “La Llorona” ("The Weeping Woman"), a Mexican folk song based on the legendary story, in Pasión Latina. Young fans may recognize this song from the hit 2017 Disney movie, Coco.

“Volver” with David Portillo

In Pasión Latina, tenor and Ryan Opera Center alumnus David Portillo performs "Volver," ("Return") by the French-Argentinian composer Carlos Gardel with Craig Terry on piano. Gardel's artistry is documented in more than 900 recordings, in particular his famous tango melodies.

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with Denis Vélez

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with Ricardo José Rivera

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with Richard Ollarsaba

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with René Barbera

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with Mario Rojas

“Carceleras” with Denis Vélez

In this clip from "Pasión Latina," first-year soprano Denis Vélez performs the rapid-fire "Carceleras" ("The Prisoners' Song") from Ruperto Chapí's zarzuela Las hijas del Zebedeo with fellow Ryan Opera Center Ensemble member Chris Reynolds on piano

Ryan Opera in Conversation: Ana María Martínez with David Portillo