This is your all-access pass to the world of opera and musical theater. Below you will find engaging information for some of the world's most beloved operas and musicals. Learn about each work's story, creators, history, and some musical highlights to listen for when you watch with these productions!
Donizetti
Donizetti’s lively score animates the story of the aging bachelor Don Pasquale, whose disowned nephew enlists his wry fiancée and the Don’s long-suffering doctor to orchestrate a complex series of dupes and double-crosses in a bid to reclaim his uncle’s inheritance — all in the name of true love.
Rhiannon Giddens & Michael Abels
Inspired by the memoir of 19th-century Islamic scholar Omar ibn Said, MacArthur "Genius Grant" recipient Rhiannon Giddens and celebrated co-composer Michael Abels spin a musical narrative of Omar's capture in West Africa, journey across the Atlantic Ocean, and enslavement in South Carolina, where he confronts his circumstances and challenges his faith through a series of indelible writings.
Mozart
Mozart’s legendary drama about a womanizer who lives only for his own pleasure — and is hair-raisingly punished in the end.
Gabriela Lena Frank & Nilo Cruz
On the Day of the Dead, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo crosses over from the underworld for 24 short hours with Diego Rivera, who remains in the living world, alone and grieving her loss.
Puccini
Cio-Cio-San — known as Madama Butterfly — is a faithful but doomed geisha in love with B.F. Pinkerton. Everyone but Butterfly knows the Navy lieutenant will break her heart.
Strauss
Based on Oscar Wilde's one-act play, Salome explores how the chaos of war and authoritarian rule reduce people to mere objects of control.
Mozart
In Mozart's Così fan tutte, hilarity and dazzling arias ensue in a 1930s-era seaside country club. Two officers hatch a plan to switch places and woo each other’s fiancées in disguise — but the women know exactly what they’re up to from the start.
Mascagni & Leoncavallo
Deadly love triangles unfold in opera's most thrilling double bill. Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci explore the depths of grief, betrayal, and vengeance against contrasting backdrops of an idyllic Sicilian countryside and a chaotic urban center.
Cherubini
In Cherubini's unrelenting drama, Medea is betrayed by her lover, Giasone, after she helped him steal the golden fleece. Burning with vengeance, she unleashes a sequence of terror that defines the very essence of Greek tragedy.
Puccini
La Bohème tells the story of young artists navigating love and hardship in 19th-century Paris. Rodolfo, a passionate poet, and Mimì, a gentle seamstress, fall deeply in love, but their relationship is tested by poverty and illness. With moments of romance, friendship, and heartbreak, this opera captures the beauty and fragility of life.
Tesori/Thompson
Destined to become an American classic, Blue is a moving story of a Black middle-class family in Harlem whose hopes and dreams for their teenage son are shattered after he is shot by a white police officer.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro is a funny and exciting story about servants Figaro and Susanna outsmarting their boss, Count Almaviva, with help from the Count's wife and a mischievous pageboy, Cherubino. This fast-paced opera is full of clever tricks, humor, and surprising twists.
Beethoven
Fidelio tells the triumphant story of Leonore, a brave woman who disguises herself as a man to rescue her husband, Florestan, after he is unjustly imprisoned. Through her courage and determination, she exposes a corrupt prison governor, freeing her husband and other prisoners.
Verdi
A court jester’s words create trouble for himself and his love-struck daughter.
Terence Blanchard
Champion is the first opera by composer Terence Blanchard, which tells the true story of welterweight boxer Emile Griffith. The opera explores the complex realities of Griffith's life: decades-long guilt from defeating a challenger in the ring, who died from Griffith’s blows; and desperately conflicted feelings regarding his own sexuality.
Rossini
Based on the classic fairy tale, Rossini's Cinderella follows Angelina's rags-to-riches story through love, magic, and a humorous series of events involving a prince, a lost bracelet, and a charming disguise.
Verdi
Aida is a dramatic tale of forbidden love between Aida, a captive princess, and Radamès, a valiant military commander, amidst political turmoil. As emotions are tested, each character navigates a gripping story of passion, sacrifice, and the clash of nations.
Donizetti
Daughter of the Regiment is a lively opera about Marie, a spirited girl raised by soldiers, her love for Tonio, and the humorous twists of fate.
Bizet
The immortal tale of the restless, free-spirited heroine and Don José, the soldier who's drawn to her in a truly "fatal attraction," Carmen has long been one of the world's favorite operas.
Will Liverman, DJ King Rico & Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj
The Factotum is a new work inspired by Rossini's The Barber of Seville. Updating the action to a Black barbershop on Chicago's South Side, this gifted duo has created an irresistibly upbeat work that celebrates the strength of community. The Factotum blends diverse musical styles with boundless imagination to create a soul opera, moving from gospel and funk to rap, hip-hop, classic barbershop quartet, and R&B.
Humperdinck
This inventive view of the Brothers Grimm's fairytale features an eye-popping production that does full justice to Humperdinck's glorious score. You'll be rooting for Hansel and Gretel at every moment in their battle against the witch.
Rossini
Sparks fly between the witty Rosina and hopeless romantic Count Almaviva, but Rosina is betrothed to her pompous old guardian. Enter matchmaker Figaro: the cleverest barber in all of Seville whose talents go far beyond cutting hair!
Massenet
Enter a world of fantasy where a mistreated girl becomes a princess with the help of her fairy godmother. Massenet's Cendrillon is the French version of the familiar fairytale, Cinderella.
Strauss
After her father, King Agamemnon, was murdered by her mother, Elektra wants vengeance.
Gounod
An aging philosopher sells his soul in hopes of youth and love. Is this bargain worth the price?
Verdi
A star-crossed romance by the composer of La Traviata and Rigoletto about sweet Luisa and her love for Rodolfo, the son of a ruthless, unethical nobleman whom Luisa’s own father loathes.
Puccini
A heartbreaking story about Cio-Cio-San, who sacrifices family and culture to marry B.F. Pinkerton, only to see his ship sail away. We share her joy when he finally returns, and her utter despair when she realizes that he’s married an American woman and has come to take his young son—Cio-Cio-San’s child—back with him.
Mozart
Prince Tamino strives for the hand of Pamina, accompanied by his lovable sidekick Papageno.
Gluck
Orpheus embarks on a perilous journey to the underworld to bring his wife back to life.
Tchaikovsky
A broodingly romantic thriller from the composer of Eugene Onegin and Swan Lake. Gherman is an unhappy soldier desperate to learn a secret hidden by a mysterious old countess: the mystery of winning at cards. As his obsession begins to overwhelm him, it also affects the ones he loves and leads to his ultimate demise.
Verdi
A desperately ill courtesan finds her true love, but sacrifices herself to save his reputation. A heart-wrenchingly beautiful story of love and redemption.
Verdi
This classic opera contains mistaken identity, love, curses, and anvils. What more could you ask for?
Puccini
A cruel princess gives three riddles to every prince who wants to marry her. All have failed, until now.
Lloyd Weber/Rice
This epic rock opera tells the story of the last days of Jesus Christ in a modern, dance-packed production.
Bernstein/Sondheim
Two teenagers from opposing New York City gangs fall in love. Watch this star-crossed romance unfold with unforgettable dance and music.
Major support provided by The Negaunee Education Endowment and the Nancy W. Knowles Student and Family Performances Fund.
Dr. Scholl Foundation
The Beaubien Family
Penelope R. Steiner
Mazza Foundation
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Shure Charitable Trust, a supporting organization of the Jewish Federation of Chicago
Polk Bros. Foundation
Elaine S. Frank Fund
Anonymous Donor
Roxanne Decyk and Lew Watts
Charles & M.R. Shapiro Foundation
Segal Family Foundation
Terry J. Medhurst
John Hart & Carol Prins
Chaz Ebert
Anonymous Donor
The Siragusa Family Foundation
Dr. & Mrs. Mark Bowen
Helen Brach Foundation
Jane Colman
Mr. Donald Clark
Gerald Padbury
Photos: Kyle Flubacker, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Todd Rosenberg, Cory Weaver