May 26, 2026
Keep opera alive over the summer
Opera at Lyric may pause during the summer months, but there are still plenty of ways to stay connected to the art form. Whether you're looking to attend a live performance or enjoy streaming from home, here's how you can keep opera alive all summer long — right here in Chicago and beyond!
Janai Brugger performing at Lyric to celebrate the life and legacy of Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric’s previous Music Director.
Performances around the city
Haymarket Opera Company will perform Charpentier’s David et Jonathas on Sunday, June 21 at 2:00 p.m. Starring tenor Scott J. Brunscheen, soprano Kaitlin Foley, and bass David Govertsen — an alumnus of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center. Be sure to stop by at 1:15 p.m. to join Jory Vinikour for a pre-concert talk.
Learn more and purchase tickets at Haymarketopera.org
The Opera Festival of Chicago returns for its sixth season, from June 13 through July 5, 2026, with a celebration of Italian opera. This year’s lineup includes Puccini’s La Bohème as well as the Very Verismo concert featuring music by great verismo composers such as Puccini, Leoncavallo, Mascagni, and Giordano. Brought to life by headlining artists sopranos Alexandra Razskazoff and Zhanna Alkazova.
Learn more and book your tickets at Operafestivalchicago.org
At Ravinia, Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio comes to the Martin Theater on July 16 & 18 featuring soprano Kathryn Lewek and tenor Miles Mykkanen. Lewek was most recently seen at Lyric as Adèle (Le Comte Ory) in the 2022/23 Season. Then, on August 16, don’t miss a rare post-retirement appearance by mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade alongside mezzo-soprano Susan Graham — a special opportunity to hear two legendary voices together on stage.
Learn more and purchase tickets at Ravinia.org
The Grant Park Music Festival is a summer highlight for any classical music fan. Enjoy free seating in the rear seating bowl, on the Great Lawn, and in select areas of the Harris Theater. Get warmed up for Lyric’s presentation of Haydn’s The Creation with the composer’s Military symphony on June 17, or experience Mozart Requiem on August 7 & 8 featuring Lyric favorite Janai Brugger alongside mezzo-soprano Susan Platts, tenor Andrew Haji, and bass Kelly Markgraf.
Explore more at Grantparkmusicfestival.com
Don’t miss members of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center team up with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for an evening of operatic arias, scenes, and orchestral favorites led by conductor Erina Yashima, who was most recently on the podium at Lyric in the 2024/25 Season, leading The Marriage of Figaro. Prepare for the 2026/27 Season with pieces from Don Giovanni and La traviata, plus more from Eugene Onegin, Samson et Dalila, and The Tender Land. One night only on June 1, pay what you wish with tickets starting at just $5!
All summer long, classical music fans can see and hear members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra performing in Classical Music Chicago’s Rush Hour Concert Series. These programs are designed to make the most of summer evenings and are live-streamed through the Classical Music Chicago website, with excerpts frequently broadcast on 98.7 WFMT radio.
Highlights include:
June 9: Season Opener featuring Abby Black on horn and Susan Warner on Clarinet.
June 19: A Grand Tour of Baroque Europe with Ana Kim on Baroque cello.
July 14: Sisters in Sound, featuring Abby Black on horn.
See all dates for these free programs at Classicalmusicchicago.org
Ana María Martínez has been performing at Lyric since 2008. She had previously starred in Florencia 2021/22, Don Giovanni 2014/15, El último sueño de Frida y Diego 2025/26, and many more.
Stream from home
Grammy Award-winning soprano Ana María Martínez — most recently at Lyric in the company premiere of Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz’s El último sueño de Frida y Diego — performs the Oscar-nominated Best Original Song “Sweet Dreams of Joy” in Viva Verdi! This documentary offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of celebrated opera singers and musicians as they mentor international music students at Casa Verdi, built by Giuseppe Verdi in 1896.
Click here to watch the trailer and pay to stream the film!
You can also listen to your favorite operatic titles from anywhere with Lyric audio streams! If you're spending summer out of town — or just enjoying some quiet time at home — Lyric’s free audio streaming offers a perfect way to engage with past productions and explore works coming in the 2026/27 Season such as La traviata, Il Trovatore featuring Russell Thomas (who will be seen in Ariadne Auf Naxos in the 2026/27 Season), and Rossini’s Barber of Seville featuring Lawrence Brownlee (who appears in Don Giovanni this fall).
Start streaming from Lyric's audio library
Zoie Reams starring in Lyric's 2018/219 production of La traviata.
Celebrate with Lyric this August
Join us on Sunday, August 23 for our annual concert, Sunday in the Park with Lyric. This free, family-friendly event brings together music lovers from across the city for a concert in Millennium Park, featuring artists from The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center and the Lyric Opera Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Enrique Mazzola.
Bring a blanket, a lawn chair, and your favorite snacks — join us for Sunday in the Park with Lyric, a free and fun-filled event for all.