September 18, 2020

Lyric Music & More: January 19

There is nothing quite like the thrill of live performance — and we can't wait to be together again in our beautiful Lyric Opera House. The seating renovation project is now complete, and our auditorium is more accessible than ever before thanks to a generous, dedicated gift from an anonymous donor. When Lyric returns to the stage, you'll be welcomed back to wider aisles, clearer Main Floor sightlines, and enhanced comfort throughout the house. Experience six months of transformative renovation work in this fun, 90-second timelapse video.

Plus, watch Soloman Howard perform “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” from his role as Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington National Opera's production of Appomattox, hear Ana María Martínez deliver her wonderful rendition of “Amanecer” from Lyric's Pasión Latina production, get chills when Whitney Morrison sings “His Eye is on the Sparrow” and “My Tribute,” and see what Lyric is offering for students.

Timelapse of Lyric’s seat renovation

“Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” with Soloman Howard as Martin Luther King Jr.

Soloman Howard portrays Martin Luther King Jr.

A big role for a big voice

In 2015, Washington National Opera mounted Philip Glass and Christopher Hampton's riveting Appomattox, an opera about the battle for racial equality in America. In this rehearsal clip, bass Soloman Howard sings “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” from his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr.

Pasión Latina: “Amanecer” performed by Ana María Martínez with Craig Terry

Ana María Martínez lights up the stage

The renowned soprano sings a song from her native Puerto Rico

In one of her solo performances for Pasión Latina, soprano Ana María Martínez sings “Amanecer” by Puerto Rican composer Monsita Ferrer, a specialist in the danza form and one of very few female composers in Puerto Rico in her time. Watch the clip and then check out the full concert.

Lawrence Brownlee & Friends: “His Eye is on the Sparrow” & “My Tribute” performed by Whitney Morrison with Craig Terry

Whitney Morrison gives us chills

Two performances from Lawrence Brownlee & Friends: The Next Chapter

Soprano Whitney Morrison, a recent alumna of the Ryan Opera Center, delivers two deeply moving performances in this excerpt from Lawrence Brownlee & Friends: The Next Chapter: “His Eye is On The Sparrow,” a gospel hymn arranged by Charles H. Gabriel, and “My Tribute,” by Andraé Crouch.

Streaming for Students

Free opera streams and online resources for classrooms

Do you have students in your life? Lyric is offering students free video streams of two Lyric Unlimited productions: El Pasado Nunca Se Termina and Jason and the Argonauts. Online classroom resources are also available for teachers.

Register now

Photos: Jon Adjahoe, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Kyle Flubacker, 2021 Darris Lee Harris Photography, Todd Rosenberg