Lyric Lately

In this note, renowned opera and theater director Francesca Zambello discusses the distressing relevance of West Side Story and her hope for change.

Lyric’s 2023/24 Season offers grand-scale masterpieces and exciting debuts both on the stage and on the podium.

They're dangerous, devastating, and they get some of the best arias. From killer Queens to high priestesses, we've compiled a list of some of opera's worst operatic mothers just in time for Mother's Day.

The cast for this year's most anticipated musical is finally here! With artists from film, television, and Broadway, WEST SIDE STORY is going to be an unforgettable musical theater experience. Get to know the leads and see the beloved musical onstage at Lyric, June 2-25.

At its annual showcase, Rising Stars in Concert, the Ryan Opera Center bids a fond farewell to five of its talented artists. In this blog, they share their reflections on their growth as artists. We can't wait to see where their careers take them next!

Is Carmen a victim of a judgmental society or a feminist icon? Or something far more complex? The character continues to intrigue us because she defies easy categorization. Read more from scholar Martha C. Nussbaum.

In this Q&A, read why Maestro Nánási enjoys performing with the Lyric Opera Orchestra, his advice for young musicans, and what he considers the most breathtaking moment in CARMEN — onstage March 11 through April 7.

Master Kutz is a family-owned, neighborhood barbershop located on the South Side of Chicago — at least, it exists there in the fictional world of THE FACTOTUM, a soulful comedy making its world premiere at Lyric this season. And like any business, real or imagined, it has to have a presence on Yelp. We found a profile of the small business, with plenty of revealing reviews.

The Factotum celebrates Black joy, merges influences, and widens our view of what opera can be. The co-creators who made this “everything” opera are Will Liverman and Rocket Jackson, two artists who grew up knowing each other at the Governor’s School for the Arts in Virginia when they were voice students studying opera and music in high school. While Liverman stayed with opera, Jackson moved into jazz, hip hop, and production to become DJ King Rico. Both got their early music exposure in the Black church, primarily through gospel. Given their musical fluency, it is not surprising that The Factotum comprises a wide range of musical styles — almost a little of everything from gospel, barbershop quartet, R&B, and jazz to funk, hip hop, and trap.

Among the most visible of Lyric's community engagement activities surrounding The Factotum is a series of colorful murals appearing around Chicago. Lyric commissioned Chicago artist Barrett Keithley to create the set, inspired by the themes of the opera.

In this enlightening director's note, revival director Eric Einhorn talks about bringing hunger and temptation to life on stage in Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel. Experience the twisted fairy tale — based on the beloved story by the Brothers Grimm — January 25 through February 5.

After 36 years at Lyric — with 21 as music director and principal conductor— Sir Andrew Davis is a permanent fixture at the Lyric Opera House. He's spent countless hours with characters like Don Quichotte, Brünnhilde, and Figaro in rehearsal rooms and the orchestra pit. See if you can spot the Maestro in some of his favorite opera scenes

As opening night of the world premiere of The Factotum approaches, we had a chat with co-book writer, director, and dramaturg Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj. In this interview, read about his experience working with co-creators Will Liverman and DJ King Rico, the importance of connecting art and activism, his dreams for the opera’s legacy, and more!

After a five-year hiatus, the Lyric Wine Auction returns on May 13, 2023, with an evening of fine wine and cuisine, and high-impact fundraising.

Co-creators Will Liverman and DJ King Rico are expanding the sonic bounds of contemporary American opera as they draw from various genres — including gospel, funk, rap, hip-hop, classic barbershop quartet, and R&B — to tell the story of THE FACTOTUM. This playlist features some of the music the two composers were listening to and inspired by as they wrote this new work.

To say that Chicago is excited about a return of mezzo-soprano Jill Grove as the Witch in HANSEL AND GRETEL would be an understatement. As she reprises her role later this month, we can expect “an absolute hoot” (Chicago Tribune) — but what is she expecting, a decade later? We sat down with the Witch herself to see what she’s cooking up.

Humperdinck deployed all the Wagnerian tricks to create an enduring fairy tale.

Join us for a conversation on new works with Lyric’s Chief Artistic Administration Officer, Matthew Ozawa

The holiday season has arrived, and we're here to help with a few gift ideas for the opera lover in your life. From books and art prints, to neckties and puzzles, there's something for everyone. No time to spare? Opera tickets and Lyric gift certificates are one-size-fits-all.

Wintertime in Chicago can often feel like being stuck in a snowglobe; however, have you ever wondered how theatrical productions are able to make it snow on stage? We had a chat with Scott Wolfson (Associate Technical Director) to hear how the technical team brings the beauty and magic of snow into our theater without including the windchill.

Whether on stage, behind the curtain, or at a desk, Lyric Opera of Chicago's interns help make the music happen. A wide range of internships are offered within the administrative office throughout the year for students and career changers who wish to gain experience in arts administration. Lyric employs a year-round administrative staff of approximately 120, who are ready to guide and support our interns in various disciplines including education, fundraising, marketing, theatre technology, and more.

To become a leading lady, it takes skill, strength, dedication, and a fair bit of luck. But what is it about a Verdi production that creates a true diva? Read how soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen feels about starring in Don Carlos, how she relates to Elisabeth, and what makes a Verdi opera so grand.

The Brothers Grimm fairytale of two brave children lost in the forest is one of the most enchanting stories ever told. How much more wonderful it is when accompanied by Humperdinck’s music!

Music Director Enrique Mazzola excels in the bel canto repertoire — and that requires a positively expert sense of humor.

Who could believe that this Bizet opera was considered a failure when it premiered in 1875. Since then, it has become one of the most widely performed operas in the repertoire. This spring, fall in love with CARMEN all over again.

Highjinks and highnotes abound in Rossini’s final comedy, Le Comte Ory. Get in the mood for this frothy and fun opera with these tasty cocktails, and see the nun-sense unfold onstage, now through November 26.

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.

In this article, scholar Martha C. Nussbaum discusses how the Schiller source material, the political and religious movements happening in Italy, and the composer's personal feelings, led to the creation of Verdi's Don Carlos.

Certain great operas become familiar in versions that are quite different from the way they were conceived by the composer. This season, experience the 1886 "Modena version" of DON CARLOS — a company premiere that Verdi fans throughout the Midwest have been eagerly awaiting for decades.

Written in 1828, Rossini's Le Comte Ory is the final opera of this master composer’s incomparable career, and one of his comic masterpieces. Learn more in this blog pot and experience it at Lyric for the first time this fall.

Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, and Joseph Stein's Fiddler on the Roof boasts one of the greatest scores in Broadway history. Since its Broadway premiere in 1964, the timeless story of love, life, and loss has touched countless hearts. Learn more in this article, and see the beloved musical like never before, this fall at Lyric.

A familiar face — and voice — at Lyric, tenor Lawrence Brownlee has been an audience favorite since his company debut in 2015. Here, we take a look back at some of his operatic triumphs and sold-out concerts at the Lyric Opera House and around the city of Chicago.

A note from the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of The Brightness of Light, Kevin Puts, on the creation of the piece.

In this interview, read about Russell Thomas' experience as a Veridian tenor as he opens Lyric's 2022/23 Season in the title role of Verdi's ERNANI.

With temperatures finally beginning to drop, and a fall full of hefty opera on the horizon, we wanted to catch up with our music director, Enrique Mazzola, to see how he spent his summer, and what he is the most excited for in the 2022/23 Season. His highlights include a summer residency at Austria's Bregenzer Festspiele — where he was recently appointed conductor in residence — leading Madama Butterfly with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, collecting records, and preparing to conduct three operas and a concert back at Lyric this fall. Find his thoughts on this and more as we catch up with Enrique.

Mix up a cocktail fit for a king and feel yourself instantly transported to the 16th-century Spanish court with these Ernani-inspired Lyric Libations. Much like a strong drink, the twists and turns of this Verdi opera are enough to make you dizzy!

Enrique Mazzola and Dr. Naomi Andre both agree: Ernani has tremendous significance — as an exemplar of bel canto style, as a pivotal moment in Verdi's career, and as a glorious achievement that hints of something larger (and perhaps darker) on the horizon.

The 1830 Paris premiere of Victor Hugo’s Hernani, the play on which Verdi’s Ernani is based, was a significant milestone that marked the beginning of the Romantic era of French drama (the first time I read it was in an undergraduate theater history survey course).

Love letters have been set to music before, but never with more beauty and eloquence than in Kevin Puts’s captivating song cycle for soprano, baritone, and orchestra, "The Brightness of Light." See Renée Fleming, Rod Gilfry, and Music Director Enrique Mazzola in the Midwest premiere of this work, October 8 with the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

There's nothing like rip-roaring early Verdi to set an opera house ablaze with excitement! Think of Ernani, which took the Venice audience by storm at its 1844 premiere. Ever since, this hot-blooded work has been enthralling operagoers with its glorious arias, powerfully dramatic ensembles, and massive choruses.

Two of the most in-demand Verdi artists in the world both have deep roots at Lyric, and have formed a very close friendship. See how Quinn Kelsey and Christian Van Horn met and why they love performing together.

One powerful new piece of equipment is giving the entire company a real lift.

In this blog, set and costume designer Scott Marr shares his vision for Verdi's ERNANI — a title he first tackled 12 years ago. See how the production has been updated and take a peek behind the curtain before it rises on September 9.

Art has a beautiful way of extending past the bounds of its original form into other mediums, and opera and musical theater are no different. Read on to see how you may recognize productions in our 2022/23 Season beyond the stage.

The director Barrie Kosky, Australian by birth, makes his home in Berlin, where he served as artistic director of the Komische Oper for ten seasons. In this article, Lyric spoke with Kosky about his life with Fiddler and the show’s enduring legacy.

Five principal singers, all with extensive Broadway experience, will be making their Lyric debuts this Fall in Fiddler on the Roof. With their teeth cut on the Broadway stage, audiences can expect captivating performances from each cast member, and look forward to the North American premiere of a reimagined all-time classic, directed by Barrie Kosky.

For more than 20 years, Lyric audiences have kicked off opera season with a beautiful night of music under the stars. On Sunday, August 21, join us for Sunday in the Park with Lyric to hear highlights of the 2022/23 Season performed by the Ryan Opera Center Ensemble and the Lyric Opera Orchestra under the baton of music director Enrique Mazzola.

Closing out its fifth year, EmpowerYouth! participants, mentors, and program facilitators, gathered with family and friends at the Chicago Urban League a final showcase performance titled "Full Circle." Learn more about this exciting partnership and the talented young people who made it possible.

For nearly five decades, The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center has nurtured the talents of a diverse range of emerging singers and pianists. Building on that legacy, the program added a new position to its 2021/22 Ensemble: Conductor/Pianist. We are thrilled to introduce the first person to take on this role, Donald Lee III.

Missing opera season? We are too. With two Lyric premieres — Florencia en el Amazonas and Fire Shut Up in My Bones — as well as exciting new productions and role debuts, there were countless memorable moments both onstage and off. In order to tide us over until the fall, here are a few of our favorite highlights from the 2021/22 Season.

We sat down with Kentucky-born soprano, Michelle Bradley, to talk about making her Lyric and role debut, her take on Puccini's tempestuous diva, and the inspiring team behind this production of Tosca.

The Magic Victrola is a wonderful way to introduce the young people in your life to the world of opera! Here are a few ideas to talk about with your little ones to help get them ready for a very special day at the opera house!

Whether you long to fall in love at Hotel Adina, climb aboard a ship heading down the Amazon River, or join Tamino and Papageno on a valiant rescue mission, you can relive the memories of a fabulous 2021/22 Season with these beautiful backgrounds.

The Magic Victrola is a story of two young children, Gracie and Sam, who go to their Grandpa’s house for summer vacation. When they discover an old victrola — a phonograph used to play vinyl records — in his attic, they are shocked when his prized collection of opera albums come to life before their eyes. It is a story of magic and whimsy, but it takes a lot of work behind the scenes to make that magic possible.

For the first time in Lyric history, more than half of the season's conductors were women or people of color. Keep scrolling for a look back at the celebrated maestri who took the podium in the 2021/22 Season.

“I believe opera is for everyone,” says Anthony Freud, Lyric’s General Director, President & CEO. “Lyric has an unswerving commitment to exploring the great works of the operatic repertoire, mining their power and relevance. But I understand that the heritage repertoire may not have obvious appeal to everyone. I want us to find and create new works that will both thrill the existing opera lover and intrigue and excite people who have never been in the building before.”

In this article, Italian opera professor Daniela Costa delves into Floria Tosca's role amongst Puccini heroines, and what it says about the composer's psyche and the time in which he was writing.

While young people are feeling uncertain about their future and the world around them, Lyric continues to invest deeply in educational and community engagement programs that encourage participants to express their hopes, fears, and dreams through opera.

As Lyric embraces many new-to-Chicago productions and premieres, Fire Shut Up in My Bones should catch the eyes of new and seasoned opera-goers. This coming-of-age story follows a boy of peculiar grace who does not quite fit in with his community. The production challenges audiences with contemporary topics of race, spirituality, and sexuality, musicality rooted in jazz, and stunning movement — distinguishing the piece from many traditional opera productions.

Fire Shut Up in My Bones is part of a much longer trajectory of operatic contributions by Black composers, librettists, singers, and collaborating artists. Learn more about Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons's gripping opera and the history it builds on in this article from noted scholar Naomi André.

Over more than two decades, former music director Sir Andrew Davis thrilled audiences at Lyric with illuminating interpretations across all the repertoire. In spring 2022, he returns to conduct Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the Lyric Opera Orchestra, Chorus, and soloists.

Puccini's Tosca is one of the most dramatic and passionate works in the repertoire — no wonder it's been a Lyric favorite since the company's very first season in 1954. From Grace Bumbry and Renata Tebaldi to Tito Gobbi and Luciano Pavarotti, here's a look back at some of the iconic stars and productions that have graced Lyric's stage over the years.

While it’s still somewhat rare to see a woman on the podium, new faces and perspectives are increasingly emerging. Critically acclaimed conductor Eun Sun Kim, the recently appointed music director for San Francisco Opera, exemplifies that welcome change. Learn more about Kim and what makes her tick.

Louisa Muller is known for her “absorbing, provocative staging” (Opera News) and is breaking new ground as a young stage director. Recently named a finalist in the “Best Newcomer” category at the 2020 International Opera Awards, Muller’s work is respected and admired around the world. This season, we are elated to welcome her back to this new-to-Chicago production of Puccini’s beloved Tosca.

Director Louisa Muller discusses her vision for Lyric's 2021/22 production of Puccini's Tosca, working with conductor Eun Sun Kim, her experience at Lyric, and more in this insightful directors note.

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s dazzling 2022/23 Season will feature productions of classic operas, a continuing focus on developing and presenting new work, and the return of Lyric’s annual spring musical.

Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons’s powerful Fire Shut Up in My Bones recieves its much-anticipated Chicago premiere this spring at Lyric. Learn more about this bold and affecting opera and see the stunning new co-production between Lyric, the Metropolitan Opera, and Los Angeles Opera come to life, March 24 through April 8.

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center's annual showcase, “Rising Stars in Concert,” celebrates the talented members of our 2021/22 Ensemble. In this blog, hear from seven departing artists as they reflect on their time at Lyric and prepare to move on to exciting careers in opera.

In March 2022, Lyric is proud to present Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons’s contemporary opera, Fire Shut Up in My Bones. The source for this extremely moving story is New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow’s widely acclaimed memoir about his traumatic upbringing in 1970’s Louisiana. Read the book, then see it come to life in an entirely new form, with the option to bring your book club for special savings and perks.

From the rousing choruses of Nabucco to the complex characters of La traviata, there's much more to Giuseppe Verdi than his greatest hits. In this blog, we'll take a look at ten of the celebrated composer's lesser known gems.

Whether you're listening to classic carols or streaming full Lyric productions like Puccini's LA BOHÈME, these festive drinks are the perfect addition to a cozy evening by the fireplace or a holiday dinner with your loved ones!

This season, we are cultivating and sharing several newer pieces that reflect modern stories with contemporary themes. Or as some might call it: “opera of our times.” Learn more about the work that is shaping the present and future of the art form.

Read about the inspiration behind Catán's FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS and the lasting legacy of this Spanish-language opera in this insightful interview with Andrea Puente Catán (musician, opera professional, and widow of late composer Daniel Catán).

With more than fourteen roles to date, it’s always a joy to welcome back a familiar face to the Lyric stage. Bass Raymond Aceto has captivated Chicago audiences with his rich tone and impressive range since his company debut in the 1997/98 Season as The Voice of Neptune in Mozart’s Idomeneo.

Whether you're mixing up drinks with your favorite feather-brained sidekick or falling in love at first sight with a beautiful Prince or Princess, these creative cocktails can only add to the magic of Mozart's music.

Conductor Karen Kamensek has worked in many of the world’s top opera houses including The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, English National Opera, and more. This season, she returns to her native Chicago to make her much-anticipated Lyric debut in Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Soprano Ana María Martínez on her relationship with Daniel Catán, the music of FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS, her favorite moments in the opera, and more.

Although Melbourne-born director Barrie Kosky has been involved in theater and opera professionally for over 30 years, he didn’t direct The Magic Flute until 2012 when he began as Komische Oper Berlin’s new intendant and artistic director. When the Komische Oper programmed The Magic Flute as part of Kosky’s inaugural season, he realized that he needed to find a method with which to present the work that would delight audiences while resonating with his artistic vision.

It’s always exciting when Lyric can bring a new-to-chicago work like Florencia en el Amazonas to our audiences, but it’s even more compelling when it’s being led by one of the world’s most highly respected directors, Francesca Zambello. She began her journey with Lyric back in 1999 and we are delighted to welcome her back to direct the first Spanish-language work to be presented as part of our mainstage opera season.

Missy Mazzoli, heralded as a “post-millennial Mozart” (Time Out New York), makes her Lyric debut this season. Mazzoli's compositional skills expand across mediums, as she writes opera, for television and film, and for her band, Victoire. Whether she's writing for a full orchestra or a string quartet, Mazzoli personifies her music with tonal and atonal sounds, replicating how humans interact in relationships.

The story of a glamorous diva on a life-changing journey down the Amazon River, the opera is inspired by the literary work of legendary author Gabriel García Márquez. Steeped in the beautiful style of magical realism, Florencia premiered 25 years ago in October 1996, and has become a favorite, with productions at more than a dozen opera companies in the U.S., as well as companies in Mexico and Europe.

In the late 19th century, Italian opera took a step away from fantastical stories of gods and monsters to focus on real life. Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci is a perfect example of this style — dubbed "verismo", which translates to "realism" — as the opera is based on an actual crime from the composer's childhood.

Enrique Mazzola became Music Director of Lyric Opera of Chicago as of July 1, 2021. The Spanish-born, Italian-trained conductor is only the third person in Lyric’s 67-year history to serve in this capacity, following the tenures of Sir Andrew Davis and the late Bruno Bartoletti.

For an opera so steeped in foggy highlands that its source material is known to superstitious theater insiders as “the Scottish play,” Lyric Opera of Chicago tapped two proud Scotsmen, Sir David McVicar and John Macfarlane, to create a new production to spark the 2021/22 season — Lyric’s return to live mainstage performance after 18 months dark.

An enjoyable Q&A by John von Rhein with Enrique Mazzola on the elegant Italian opera style bel canto and Donizetti's The Elixir of Love.

Explore the director's perspective in The Elixir of Love. Daniel Slater discusses high expectations of the Lyric Opera Chorus, balancing moments of vulnerability and humor, and bringing the dynamic characters of Adina, Nemorino, Belcore, Dulcamara, and Giannetta to life.

Lyric live performances are back! Our company members could not be more excited to welcome audiences back to the Lyric Opera House. With new seats, proof of vaccination and face masks required, and health and safety at the forefront, what will your performance experience be like? We answer your questions here.

Verdi called Shakespeare's Macbeth " one of mankind's greatest creations," and when the Italian composer added his musical genius to the story, it was the perfect recipe for a hit opera. If you're looking to get in the mood for this twisted Scottish tale, break out your bubbling cauldron and shake up a Shakespeare-inspired cocktail with these Macbeth Lyric Libations.

This Donizetti comedy has been an audience favorite around the world since its premiere in 1832. These are just a few reasons why this new-to-Chicago production is the perfect escape for right now.

For many years, the opening of the Lyric Opera of Chicago season has helped to usher in Chicago’s much-anticipated cultural season, and on Saturday, September 25, a thrilling reimagined gala celebration kept that tradition alive while infusing it with new creative energy.

Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins is a man of many voices —master of Mozart, bel canto, French repertoire, and exceedingly challenging contemporary works. Effortlessly adapting his velvety instrument to the demands of every style he takes on, he invariably impresses not just with his voice and the terrific technique behind it, but also probing, thoughtful interpretations that mark him as one of today’s truly outstanding artists.

Few new American operas have earned the acclaim received by Proving Up. “It seizes the imagination,” said San Francisco Classical Voice, and that opinion has been echoed around the country in the three years since Opera Omaha produced the world premiere.

During a joyful afternoon at the Lyric Opera House in the fall of 2019, with red glasses on those present, Anthony Freud, Lyric's general director, president and CEO announced that Maestro Enrique Mazzola would be stepping into the role of music director starting with the 2021/22 Season. Now that he is preparing to take the podium for Verdi's Macbeth and Donizetti's The Elixir of Love in a new Lyric season — the first live performances in the Lyric Opera House in 19 months — we caught up with Maestro Mazzola to hear what he's been up to and how he's preparing.

If you're craving operatic drama in the comfort of your own home, then look no further! Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, an original Lyric film, is now available free of charge for virtual streaming. See a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of this production and reserve your tickets to the free digital stream.

As the first Ambassador of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Maestro Enrique Mazzola sees a close connection between music and wine production. This fall, he returns to the podium to conduct a star-studded production of Donizetti's The Elixir of Love. In anticipation of the musical feast, he has shared some of his favorite wine pairings for the beloved bel canto opera.

There are certain singers who seem able to rise to even the most formidable challenges in any role in their vocal category. Charles Castronovo is one of those singers. Vocally the American tenor navigates with perfect ease, thanks to masterful control of his instrument. He combines superb technique with passionate dedication to every character he portrays.

One of opera’s strongest, most independent, most adoring, and most desirable women — is the flamboyant diva Floria Tosca. Giacomo Puccini’s opera has attracted great sopranos for well over a century, because of its heroine, the thrilling music she sings, and her overpowering emotions.

There’s no opera more sparkling than Gaetano Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love). One of the gems of bel canto comedy, it’s sheer delight from start to finish. Welcoming these characters back to the Lyric stage in the 2021/22 Season will be like greeting a group of lovable friends who light up the room and spread joy everywhere.

Lyric’s production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is playing November 3-27, so you could possibly be seeing it on a very cold night. We can guarantee that when you leave the theater, you’ll feel like the sun is shining — that’s how totally exhilarating a great performance of this opera can be.