A trio of trios for 2026/27

Trio 1: From Broadway to the Bayou

Join Lyric this season on a journey through the heart of the U.S. with an unforgettable trio of performances united by their tales of Americana, stateside settings, and Western musical traditions. From the rolling hills of Appalachia to the bustling streets of New York City, and from the legacy of the enslaved in South Carolina to the rhythms of Havana, these productions explore the rich tapestry of the American experience through song and story. Each performance blends powerful narratives and vibrant music to highlight the diverse voices, struggles, and triumphs that define the nation’s artistic heritage.

Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah returns to Lyric for the first time since 2002 in a gripping production starring Gabriella Reyes. Set in a tight-knit, spiritual mountain community in rural Tennessee, this captivating American classic follows a young woman whose beauty and innocence are twisted into a suspicious scandal by townsmen and church elders in her community. Sung in English and infused with sweeping orchestration, folk melodies, and Broadway influences, Susannah remains one of opera’s most haunting portrayals of morality, power, and resilience.

In the Lyric premiere of Omar, MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient Rhiannon Giddens and composer Michael Abels bring the extraordinary true story of Omar ibn Said to the stage in a work that is both monumental and intimate. Inspired by the memoirs of the 19th-century Islamic scholar, the opera traces Omar’s initial capture in West Africa, forced voyage across the Atlantic, and enslavement in South Carolina. Through a Pulitzer Prize-winning score that weaves together heartfelt hymns, harmonious bluegrass, and African musical traditions, Omar offers a profoundly moving chronicle of faith, identity, and survival in American history.

Bringing a burst of Broadway brilliance to the season, Guys and Dolls makes its Lyric premiere, bringing all the swagger, charm, and enthusiasm that have long made it one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals. The comedic classic follows gamblers, showgirls, and dreamers as they venture from New York City to Havana, chasing luck, love, and redemption along the way. Featuring Frank Loesser’s iconic score, including the musical hits “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” and “Luck Be a Lady,” this action-packed production captures the vivacious spirit of American musical theater.

Trio 2: Love, Laughter, and Loss

Step into a world of romance, wit, and melodrama with this fabulous trio of operas that blend comedy, heartbreak, and intense emotion. From backstage chaos and devious deceptions to captivating tales of love and sacrifice, these productions showcase opera at its most entertaining and emotionally charged. Whether playful, passionate, or tragic, each story is filled with striking characters navigating the unpredictable complications of love.

In Ariadne auf Naxos, Richard Strauss combines high drama with backstage comedy in a wildly inventive opera-within-an-opera concept. When a tragic opera and rambunctious troupe of comedians are forced to perform simultaneously, chaos and frivolity unfold in unexpected ways. Beneath its playful premise lies a deeply emotional story of heartbreak and longing, elevated by Strauss’s shining score.

Gaetano Donizetti’s Don Pasquale brings sparkling humor and schemes of romance to the stage in this cherished comedy of mishaps and errors. Set against the elegant backdrop of 19th-century Rome, this opera follows a whirlwind of tricks, disguises, and betrayals as young lovers attempt to outwit the stubborn and pompous Don Pasquale in the name of true love. Filled with spirited music and sharp comedic timing, this opera favorite proves that love may be the greatest ruse of all.

For a more tragic take on romance, Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata offers one of opera’s most heart-wrenching love stories. Surrounded by luxury and opulence, Violetta Valéry unexpectedly finds herself torn between choosing true love or freedom when she is swept off her feet by the deeply romantic and idealistic Alfredo. Accompanied by Verdi’s lush and profoundly touching arias, this timeless masterpiece remains a poignant exploration of passion, sacrifice, and heartbreak.

Trio 3: Myth, Madness, and Desire

Enter a world of obsession, vengeance, and spectacle with this thrilling trio of performances connected by their epic sagas and dark portrayals of desire, power, and destruction. From doomed seducers and jealous rulers to mythical heroes and wandering spirits, these performances strive to immerse audiences in fiery stories where passion and ambition lead to dramatic and devastating consequences. Filled with soaring voices, tremendous orchestration, and remarkable intensity, each production delivers a grand and electrifying operatic experience.

The season opens with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni, an enthralling tale of morality where charm and corruption collide. Combining comedy with high drama, the opera follows the infamous seducer Don Giovanni as his rampant lust and deception send him spiraling toward a crippling downfall. Starring Christian Van Horn in the title role, this thrilling opera captures the danger and allure of one of opera’s most appealing antiheroes.

In Jules Massenet’s Hérodiade: An Opera in Concert, a rare gem of French opera comes to Lyric for the very first time. Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Salomé, this moody and introspective drama unravels a web of jealousy, obsession, and longing against the backdrop of ancient Jerusalem. Under the direction of Enrique Mazzola, Massenet’s exuberant score comes alive through haunting choral passages and sultry dances that illuminate the opera’s conflicted and complex characters.

Completing this trio is Wagner: Music and Myth, an exhilarating concert experience featuring the music of Richard Wagner. From heroic quests and chilling revenge plots to divine battles and triumphant sunrises, Wagner’s music evokes worlds of fantasy and grandeur on a scale unlike anything else in opera. Performed by the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus, this two-night-only event showcases some of Wagner’s most stirring and cinematic music.

Create Your Own Series packages make it easy to customize your season with the performances, dates, and seating areas that work best for you. And with CYO-3 packages available June 16, there’s never been a better time to experience the joy of live performance while securing the best seats at the best prices.