June 18, 2020
Lyric Music & More: June 19
We’ve taken a hiatus from our regular emails over the last few weeks – because it’s felt like a time to let other messages rise to the top of your inbox. Messages of safety during a global pandemic. Messages supporting racial equity during a pivotal moment for change. We hope there have been messages of love, support, and kindness among friends and family and colleagues who have been separated by stay-at-home orders for too long.
This week we also shared the message that, as a result of state and local health policies, we’ve cancelled Lyric’s fall performances. Though we’re extremely sad that we can’t welcome you back in September, we’re grateful to be connected here, and you can count on more artistic content and new activities in the coming months.
And so we return to our weekly emails today, on Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. This week, and going forward, Lyric will be sharing more content that amplifies voices of color. You can learn more about Chicago native and New York Philharmonic clarinetist Anthony McGill’s #TakeTwoKnees movement, watch a Juneteenth concert this evening at 5:30pm as presented by the Rebuild Foundation (Lyric’s partner in programming around the presentation of our premiere of Blue), or plan to tune in later this evening to hear the divine Leontyne Price perform in La forza del destino from the Metropolitan Opera. If you’re looking for more Lyric this weekend, we’re also sharing a link to watch Lyric's production of Orphée et Eurydice, with The Joffrey Ballet, streaming on PBS until Monday. We wish you a weekend filled with beautiful and meaningful music.
Today (Friday) at 5:30pm CDT
Rebuild Foundation: Juneteenth concert
Don’t miss this virtual performance celebrating the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth and featuring artists Meagan McNeal, Krista Franklin, Rebuild Poet Laureate avery r. young, and Rebuild DJ-in-Residence Duane Powell. Proceeds from the concert will support the Tamir Rice Foundation’s efforts to create the Tamir Rice Afrocentric Cultural Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Lyric is proud to work with Rebuild Foundation on programming around the Lyric premiere of Blue (Tesori/Thompson).
Read more about Juneteenth and other important dates related to emancipation in this piece shared by PBS from Henry Louis Gates, Jr. —writer, producer, historian, and presenter, and Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University.
Stream the full opera on PBS.
Orphée et Eurydice
Watch a full performance of Lyric’s incredible 2017/18 production of Orphée et Eurydice, with The Joffrey Ballet, hosted by PBS’s Great Performances. Starring tenor Dmitry Korchak, soprano Andriana Chuchman, mezzo-soprano Lauren Snouffer, and Joffrey principal dancers Victoria Jaiani and Temur Suluashvili, this video expires Monday, June 22, so make sure to catch it before it’s gone! The legendary John Neumeier directed, choreographed, and designed the entire production.
His challenge to fellow musicians and Americans to shine a light on racism
Clarinetist Anthony McGill kneels, pleads, and plays for justice
In a powerful statement of protest, Anthony McGill, principal clarinet with the New York Philharmonic, plays a minor-key interpretation of “America the Beautiful” and takes two knees. His video has inspired a wave of responses, including one from tenor Lawrence Brownlee. Read more about Anthony in this interview with NPR. (Want to hear more from Anthony McGill? He’ll be featured in a University of Chicago Presents concert stream on June 26.)
Streaming opportunities, this week and next
La forza del destino starring Leontyne Price
One of the most popular American sopranos of her generation, and the first Black woman to become a leading artist at The Metropolitan Opera, Leontyne Price left behind a rich legacy when she retired from opera. See her in the leading role of Verdi’s La forza del destino from the Met’s stunning 1984 production in a free video stream, available starting tonight at 6:30pm CDT, and check out the lineup of upcoming opera streaming opportunities.
Creativity and artistic endeavors have a mission that goes far beyond just making music for the sake of music.
Herbie Hancock
Last week, Lyric invited you to provide feedback on how Lyric can join with communities of color as we take action that supports racial equity. We pledge to continue listening, if you’d like to share your thoughts.