Lyric Lately

Welcome to Backstage Life where we feature the people behind the scenes who make opera happen. Today we're talking to John Clarke, a Lyric Opera stagehand who has been with us since 1986. Here's what he had to say about his life at Lyric.

Rob Ashford is a director, choreographer, and dancer. He also happens to be a Tony Award, Olivier Award, Emmy Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award winner. When general director Anthony Freud first approached Ashford about directing a brand-new production of Rossini's The Barber of Seville in 2014, it may have been his first time directing an opera, but it was far from his first exposure to the art form. 

When Callas first arrived at the Lyric Opera House in 1954, everyone thought she would be preoccupied with glamour and stardom. However, she was only interested in rehearsal — her first questions were, "Where is the maestro? When do we start work?"

As the only pianist in the Ryan Opera Center, Madeline's role is a unique one. Throughout the course of the year, the Ensemble pianist is responsible for helping to prepare his or her colleagues for Lyric season roles and other assignments. Not only is the pianist required to learn multiple operas each season, she or he also advises the Ensemble on art song and non-traditional repertoire.

Each spring, Lyric invites a group of 5-10 musical theater “superfans” to be Social Media Insiders. Last week, 10 lucky fans got the chance to live-tweet the final Dress Rehearsal of West Side Story and get an exclusive look behind-the-scenes.

When it comes to grand opera, lavish productions are to be expected. However, Lyric’s knack for producing music theater on the biggest scale doesn’t stop there. Each spring, we bring our technical, artistic, and musical resources and expertise to a classic Broadway musical.

American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim turns 89 years old today! As everyone at Lyric is poised to start rehearsal for West Side Story (onstage May 3 - June 2), today offers the perfect chance to reflect upon the career and contributions of one of the artists who created this ground-breaking work.

Another opera season is drawing to a close, but you don’t have to wait until the fall to hear some of your favorite artists. 

To binge-watch something – to invest time and emotions in a story – it must have the greatest actors, thrilling plot twists, and an undercurrent of psychological sizzle that keeps viewers clicking. In short, it must follow the formula that Richard Strauss used more than a century ago in Elektra.

Today a new generation of singers is benefiting from Julia Faulkner’s knowledge and experience at Lyric’s renowned artist-development program, The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, where she is director of vocal studies.

Opera fans are just as passionate and dedicated to their art form. Here are three of the top ways to be an opera advocate not only on Opera Advocacy Day, but all year long.

The convoluted schemes, mistaken identities, and star-crossed lovers of Ariodante are connected by a series of heart-wrenching arias – moments when the plot pauses to allow the audience to engage their empathy. Modern television shows like Glee and Smash also use music to express the characters’ emotions. 

Characters like Violetta endure due to their ability to capture the imagination of many generations. We see this, too, in another, more recent, beautiful and tragic figure: Diana, Princess of Wales.

Despite the millennia that separate the two, Wagner turned to ancient folktales as source material for his Ring cycle. Today, if the contemporary success of writer Neil Gaiman is any indication, we’re still gripped by mythology. 

The hero of Il trovatore, Manrico, is introduced in the opera as an adult, but the mystery of his character can only be unlocked when we understand what occurred during his infancy. In this and other ways, he’s similar to another boy we know well: Harry Potter.

Living in the city, following their dreams, falling in and out of love, all while barely scraping by: this is the reality of life for the main characters in La bohème, but also for today’s Millennials. The modern Millennial is seen on TV shows like How I Met Your Mother, Broad City, Shameless, and more.

Whether you’re an opera lover or a Broadway fanatic, you’ve probably heard by now that the 1996 musical Rent was loosely based on the 1896 opera La bohème. But if that’s news to you, don’t worry! Let us walk you through the similarities… (some spoilers ahead!)

June 17 is Father’s Day, so why not celebrate by meeting the fathers in our upcoming productions?

As Lyric’s Costume Director, Maureen Reilly is a pro when it comes to hoop skirts and high heels. But as opening night of Jesus Christ Superstar approaches, she reflects on the unique challenges that this ultra-contemporary production brings to Lyric. 

There’s no time of year quite like the holidays, and it’s the perfect occasion to treat your loved ones to an experience they’ll never forget. From performance tickets to OperaShop apparel, here are just a few ways to give the gift of Lyric to the opera (or musical!) aficionados in your life.

Tequila and lime, gin and tonic, opera and ballet...Sometimes the most simple combination can turn into something truly magical. Celebrate the first collaboration between Lyric Opera and The Joffrey Ballet with these Orphée et Eurydice-inspired cocktail recipes and see Gluck's baroque masterpiece through October 15.

Here’s a short list of do’s and don’ts to make your Lyric Opera experience one to remember...

One of the most common questions we receive here at Lyric is “How should I dress?” Fortunately for you, we’ve compiled this handy list of frequently asked questions and answers so you’ll know exactly what to wear on your next outing to Lyric.

Situated on the Chicago River, the Lyric Opera House is just as beautiful as the operas that take place on its stage. However, it’s easy to understand how someone can feel overwhelmed during their first visit. That’s why we’ve created this handy beginner’s guide to help you get around!

Looking for a romantic date night? Look no further! Though operatic tales of love don’t always end well, Lyric’s 2017/18 season features several couples who live happily ever after.

August 1st is National Respect for Parents Day! In the real world, it’s best to heed your parents’ advice, but in opera, they don’t always know best...

Sunday night, season 7 of HBO’s Game of Thrones started off with a bang as millions tuned in to watch the drama unfold. However, with the show drawing to a close in 2018, many fans are left wondering where they’ll turn to satisfy their need for fantasy, drama, and intrigue after the show ends. Fortunately, we know the perfect place to go for all your Game of Thrones needs: Lyric!

Happy National Best Friends Day from Lyric! To celebrate, we thought we’d take a look back at some of the loyal — and often complicated — friendships from the 2016/17 season.

Take a look back at the first day of rehearsals. This production features 16 principal actors, an ensemble of 40, and 14 dancers! Many of these artists met for the first time just weeks before they would have to step onstage for the first performance.

I have been the Production Manager here at Lyric for 4 years. I negotiate contracts for the designers of our productions and help plan their schedules. I also handle communication within the company if there are any special events occurring in the building, like board meetings or photo shoots. 

I’ve been at Lyric since the 1998/99 season and I am the Charge Artist. It’s my job to make sure the finishes on the scenery, props, and costumes for a production are visually appropriate for the concept the designers and director have in mind. 

4 American opera companies have staged Les Troyens. 751 pages in full opera score. 300 costumes. 5 hours of music.

Let’s take a look at some of the hottest runway, red carpet and everyday fashions, and how they can serve as inspiration for a night at Lyric Opera!

Creating a new production is an exciting and time-consuming undertaking for any opera company. This season, Lyric is debuting three brand-new productions: Wagner’s Das Rheingold, Berlioz’s Les Troyens, and Mozart’s The Magic Flute. The first of these shows is onstage now, but we’re going take a quick look back to see how the magic came to life.

This Halloween, unleash your inner diva--or divo--by dressing as your favorite opera character! Here are three simple DIY costumes inspired by Lyric's 2016/17 season.

I won’t understand what’s going on! I have to wear a ball gown or a tuxedo! It’s so expensive! I have to have great seats! I have to read up on the opera!

You asked, we answered! Lyric Opera General Director Anthony Freud and Music Director Sir Andrew Davis discuss how they plan an opera season at Lyric.

Sopranos are divas. Tenors are lovers. A bass is always the bad guy. What are the different voice types? And what roles do they play?