August 23, 2019
Lyric news, events & offers for February
An Exclusive Event for Subscribers and Donors
2020|21 Season Preview
General Director Anthony Freud and Music Director Sir Andrew Davis invite members of our Lyric family to an lively conversation on Wednesday, February 12 at 7:00pm, as they share details of the exciting 2020|21 Season.
Join us for this exclusive preview event, featuring live performances of selections from the 2020|21 Season by artists of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center. Enjoy a glass of wine in the beautiful Ardis Krainik Theatre and receive first priority on subscription renewal as you learn about the operas, events, and stars that comprise our dazzling new season.
Sir Andrew to receive Golden Baton Award
On March 14, Sir Andrew Davis will receive the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory's Golden Baton Award at their Masquerade Gala, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the classical music industry. Lyric offers heartfelt congratulations to Sir Andrew on this well-deserved honor.
Immerse yourself in the Ring cycle
Lyric’s new Ring cycle is almost here! If you’re planning on joining us for this monumental occasion, consider attending one of our many Ring Festival Programs designed to enhance your Ring experience.
Take a tour of the opera house to see what happens behind the curtain. Hear from experts, designers, and artists to get a deeper understanding of the production. Sit back and laugh with The Second City's hilarious take on Wagner. Or mingle with fellow music lovers over a musical performance or a flight of beer.
Purchase only the events that interest you or see it all with an All-Access Pass.
You may also consider joining the Valhalla Circle to enjoy complimentary access to several events, tours, and dining options while contributing to Lyric's productions and programming.
Purchase your Ring Festival Programming or all-access pass along with your Ring package, individually online, or by phone at 312.827.5600.
Family Day
Calling all opera explorers – Family Day is back for another year! Join us on Saturday, May 16 from 11am-3pm for an open house-style day of family fun at the Lyric Opera House. Learn from Lyric professionals as they walk you through the building blocks of opera with interactive activities, stage combat demonstrations, opera-singing demonstrations, and more! Specifically created for kids ages 5-10, and a great day of fun for everyone. Tickets start at $5, and will go fast!
Exciting news from the Ryan Opera Center!
Lyric extends a hearty congratulations to Ryan Opera Center Music Director Craig Terry, who recently received a 2020 GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album for his collaboration with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato on the album 'Songplay." The album features a fusion of jazz and classical styles, all arranged by Craig. Please join us in congratulating Craig, Joyce, and their co-collaborators Chuck Israels, Jimmy Madison, and Charlie Porter.
We are also thrilled to announce that the 5th Annual Ryan Opera Center Gala, "Festa di San Ryan," is sold to capacity. We can’t wait to share a splendid evening of dining, wine, and song with the many supporters who have helped make this fundraiser a success. If you would like to be added to the waiting list or learn more about this event, visit lyricopera.org/festadisanryan.
Charlie Porter, Joyce DiDonato, Craig Terry and Chuck Israels celebrate their Best Classical Solo Vocal Album award for "Songplay" backstage at the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards
Longer! Louder! Wagner! Returns
This spring, Lyric Opera and The Second City join forces once again to celebrate everyone’s favorite four-day, fifteen-hour opera. Longer! Louder! Wagner! The Second City Wagner Companion brings us to 1848 Germany where Wagner first began work on the Ring, to modern-day Bayreuth, home of Wagner’s personally-designed opera house, and hilariously illustrates the lasting effects of his masterpiece and the headaches an opera company might encounter trying to mount this behemoth.
The Chicago Tribune says, "Second City addicts and Wagner opera fans alike should find this revue compulsively entertaining." Save your seats today – our previous run sold out!
Tuesday, February 11 at 7:30pm
Beyond the Aria at Harris Theater
The Harris Theater's Beyond the Aria series offers audiences a one-night-only experience with some of the greatest operatic talents of our generation in an intimate, cabaret-style setting on the enclosed stage of the Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park. The next performance takes place on Tuesday, February 11 with appearances by soprano Ana María Martínez and tenor Brian Jagde, stars of Lyric’s Madama Butterfly, joined by Ryan Opera Center member Ricardo José Rivera and Music Director Craig Terry.
Sunday, March 8 at 7pm
Ryan Opera Center Recital Series on WFMT
Mark your calendar and tune in to WFMT 98.7FM on Sunday, March 8 at 7pm, for a recital of featuring Leoš Janáček's The Diary of One Who Disappeared featuring tenor Eric Ferring, soprano Emily Pogorelc, mezzo-sopranos Kathleen Felty and Kayleigh Decker, contralto Lauren Decker, and pianist Madeline Slettedahl.
Need A ride? The Lyric Bus has you covered.
Lyric Opera is pleased to offer luxury motor coach service from Northbrook Court Shopping Mall for weekday matinee opera performances throughout the 2019/20 Season. Avoid the hassles of traffic and public transportation — plus, ride to your performance with fellow music lovers! Call Lyric's Audience Services department at 312.827.5600 to purchase bus tickets for your ride to your opera or musical performance.
Upcoming Lyric Bus dates:
The Queen of Spades — Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Madama Butterfly — Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Madama Butterfly — Thursday, March 5, 2020
Das Rheingold — Monday, April 27, 2020
Die Walküre — Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Siegfried — Friday, May 1, 2020
Götterdämmerung — Sunday, May 3, 2020
42nd Street — Wednesday, June 10, 2020