Frequently asked questions

For all cancellations that we have had to make as a result of the current public health crisis, audiences have several choices. You may keep your funds on account to use towards future subscription packages, individual show tickets, or gift certificates; you may donate all or a part of the value of your tickets to support Lyric during this difficult period for the arts; or you may request a full refund.

Yes, your donation to the Fund for the Love of Lyric will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling the effect your gift will make in Lyric's recovery and future programming.

Yes! Lyric has announced a new slate of virtual programs. Please visit our new programs page for more information. Additional programs are in planning phases — to make sure that you receive the latest information, please make sure you're signed up for Lyric emails and follow us on social media.

Unfortunately, for health and safety reasons, Lyric's in-person box office is closed at present. All transactions are being handled over the phone through our Audience Services call center at 312.827.5600. Due to the high call volume related to our cancellations, we appreciate your patience and understanding. Our goal is to give you the best possible customer service as we continue to work offsite with limited staff.

Unfortunately, at this time, choosing the outcome of your ticket value online is not possible. We are working to contact each of our patrons by October 31, 2020 and provide them with the best individualized customer service, and thank you for your patience. If you have a question in the meantime, you may always call our Audience Services department at 312.827.5600.

We have shared some highlights of our plans for the 2021/22 Season, which you can read more about on our blog. Full details of the upcoming season will be announced in Spring 2021 when the season goes on sale.

We will be regularly monitoring guidelines and protocols as set forth by local, state, and federal health authorities to ensure that the care and safety for our audience, artists, and company members is the number one priority, and we will share more details with our audience as we get closer to the 2021/22 Season.

As you may remember, the Lyric Opera House is getting new seats thanks to a generous, anonymous donor. That work has continued to move forward under the strictest health and safety protocols during the pandemic. Everyone will have a slightly different seat coming back to the Lyric Opera House than they did previously, which will enhance your comfort and enjoyment of the show. We are working to make sure that all seat locations are comparable to your previously held subscription seats, because your satisfaction is our top priority!

The 2021/22 Season is not yet on sale — details of the operas, events, and pricing will be announced in Spring 2021, per our usual schedule, but we are happy to hold the value of any currently-held tickets on account to be applied towards a 2021/22 subscription, or future tickets or gift certificates.

If you canceled your 2020/21 subscription and are concerned that you may wish to retain your seats moving into the 2021/22 Season, rest assured that we will be happy to work with you to give you the best possible customer service in getting you back into similar seats in the opera house. When the 2021/22 Season is announced and goes on sale, we will be contacting all recent season subscribers to review their status given the unusual nature of the 2020 renewal cycle. Remember, nobody will have the exact same subscription seat — thanks to comfortable new seating being installed during this year's seating renovation.

Lyric has announced some highlights from our planned 2021/22 Season, and it is our intention to reopen in Fall 2021. We are constantly monitoring guidelines set forth by city, state, and federal public health officials to make sure that we are proceeding with the utmost regard for the safety of our audiences, artists, and company members. 

We are currently working on future season schedules as a result of the cancellations that we have been forced to make. Years of planning goes into each season's schedule, so rescheduling is not always possible. The 2021/22 Season's full lineup will be announced in Spring 2021, and we'll share details about rescheduled shows as they become available.

Lyric is committed to contacting each and every one of our patrons to provide the highest level of customer service. We are starting that process immediately and are committed to being directly in touch with every patron no later than October 31, 2020, to review all of the available options. The value of your tickets will be held safely on your account until you let us know what you would like to do with it. Requested refunds will be processed within 30 days of the refund request for credit cards. Refunds by check may take a bit longer as we work to service our patrons from offsite.

We are working to serve and process all of our ticket outcomes as quickly as possible. While credit card refunds are expected to be processed within 30 days of refund request, check refunds may take a bit longer as our finance office works to serve our patrons from offsite. We are grateful for your patience and understanding.

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on Lyric's finances have been challenging. Thanks to our extraordinarily generous donors, as well as subscribers and ticket holders who have chosen to support us during this unprecedented challenge by donating the value of their tickets, we are confident that we will weather this storm. When you donate the value of your ticket, Lyric currently has a generous matching gift that doubles the impact of your donation, meaning your gift provides twice the support. Lyric will recover from the 2020 pandemic and live performances will return — thanks to patrons like you.

We are committed to the health and safety of all of our artists, technicians, and company members. The inability to maintain safe social distance during performances at present is a significant part of the reason we have made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020/2021 season. We are currently in contact with both city and state health officials as well as medical professionals who are providing us with counsel on when it will be safe to resume rehearsals and performances.

Work related to our seating renovation project is proceeding with the utmost attention to health and safety protocol around the construction industry as set out by health authorities.

At all times, the safety of our patrons, artists, and company members has been and will be our top priority. We had already implemented hospital-grade cleaning practices using high-performance disinfectants throughout our offices and theater spaces which began in February and March.. These practices have continued daily even during our offsite work, carried out by staff who are socially distanced and safely outfitted in protective gear. Our spaces have been fogged to sanitize harder-to-reach surfaces, our water systems regularly maintained, our ventilation systems cleaned, and our airflow shifted to decrease recycled air and increase fresh air exchange. We continue to monitor best practices from every direction possible, from the Chicago Department of Public Health, the International Association of Venue Managers, Opera America, OSHA, and more. With regard to health monitoring and the use of face coverings when patrons return, we will continue to comply with the policies set out by local and state health officials as they evolve. Our primary concern is making sure that everyone is safe when we reopen our doors.

The value of your bus ticket/s will be held on your account where it will be available for you to use towards any future performance or bus ticket purchase at Lyric. You may also donate the value of your Lyric Bus ticket/s or request a refund.

At present, the Opera Insider classes that correlate to the canceled spring productions of Samson and Delilah, Elixir of Love, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Rake's Progress will be canceled. The value of the canceled fall classes will be credited to your account for use on a future performance, donation, or refund.

Yes, thanks to a generous donation, Lyric's seating renovation in the Ardis Krainik Theatre is proceeding as planned. We have been sharing regular updates on the work as it progresses on Lyric's social media channels and our new seating page.

We are proud to be welcoming The Joffrey as a resident company at the Lyric Opera House, which was to have started this season. For more information on how The Joffrey's performance schedule is impacted by current public health policies, visit joffrey.org.

We anticipate that restaurant reservations will open up at least 30 days prior to our first performance back. We will stay in ongoing communication with our audience about reservation opening dates.

We will reissue tickets for your new event dates once we have reticketed you in our system. Tickets will arrive by email in a PDF — but please rest assured that we will communicate with you clearly to let you know that they are on the way. We anticipate that all reticketing for Family Day (new date: May 22, 2021) and Blue (new dates: January 2021) will be done no later than during the summer. Because we have not established the exact dates for 42nd Street in Spring 2022, we’ll keep in touch on that. We deeply appreciate your patience and understanding during this unusual time!

Lyric will keep your ticket value on account for the 2020/21 Season which you may use to purchase a subscription package, individual tickets, or gift certificates. 

Dates for the Spring 2022 run of 42nd Street will be announced no later than the February 2021 Lyric Season Announcement. Ticket holders also have the option of transferring into Lyric’s 2021 Broadway production of Singin’ in the Rain, using their purchase value towards another 2020/21 production, or donating their ticket value as a tax-deductible contribution

While we hope that we can re-engage the exciting artists who were set to be a part of Lyric’s 42nd Street, artist schedules are complex and we won’t be able to confirm casting until closer to the production, as is the case with all of our Broadway shows. What we can confirm is that we will still be able to bring you the U.S. debut of the spectacular, large-scale production from Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and we’re happy that Stephen Mear will still direct this Lyric premiere performance.

Because we are responding in real time to current events, we ask for your patience as we complete all of the details related to our rescheduling for the upcoming season. We have confirmed that Blue will be held on January 15, 17, 20, 22, 23 & 24, 2021 in collaboration with Chicago Shakespeare Theater at The Yard. Your tickets will be transferred to the parallel date of the new performance run (first Friday for first Friday; matinee for matinee, etc.)

If you find yourself with a date conflict, we will be happy to provide a free exchange for your Blue date once tickets are confirmed and reissued. If you are unable to attend Blue for any of the performance dates, we will be happy to provide you with an exchange into a different 2020/21 performance.

We are currently determining casting details for the Midwest premiere of Blue — artist schedules are often complex and booked far in advance, and so we'll share the final casting as soon as we have it. In the meantime, we can confirm that Blue will be conducted by music director-designate Enrique Mazzola, and will be directed as originally planned by librettist Tazewell Thompson. Additionally, the production team will be the same, as Lyric created the sets and costumes as a coproduction with other companies.

Yes! Lyric is still committed to producing Missy Mazzoli’s critically-acclaimed new opera Proving Up, which was originally scheduled as part of our 2020/21 Season. Due to scheduling intricacies, we have moved Blue into that time slot for January 2021 in collaboration with Chicago Shakespeare Theater at The Yard. Details about a new date for Proving Up will be forthcoming.

Don’t worry, we are committed to working with all of our patrons at this uncertain time! If you are not able to attend, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to keep the value of your purchase on account to use towards any different Lyric performance, including the fall family opera production of Jason and the Argonauts.

Lyric is grateful to have been able to move all of our remaining May and June performances to upcoming seasons on short notice and with the help and cooperation of many of our partners and artists. Because we have been able to postpone these events rather than cancel them, your tickets will be honored for the events on their new dates. We appreciate your bearing with us as we make these changes and reissue your tickets. 

This has been a very difficult time for all of us as we share in this unprecedented health crisis. At Lyric, we were forced to cancel our Ring cycle and surrounding festival programming in mid-March, and we are now postponing several productions to future seasons. We have incurred a $15-20 million financial loss through this period, which has a devastating impact on the company. Lyric’s Board of Directors Chair-Elect Sylvia Neil and her husband Dan Fischel have established The Heroes’ Fund, which will be used to match contributions made to Lyric dollar for dollar during this trying time. Right now, if you make a tax-deductible donation, whether through tickets or financial contribution, your generosity will have double the impact. We are grateful for your consideration and your support.

Lyric retains a small processing fee related to keeping our Call Center infrastructure operational as is standard practice among event-driven organizations.

Absolutely, our Audience Services call center is staffed and standing by at 312.827.5600. We apologize in advance for any wait time you may experience during this period of difficult cancellations. Please bear with us as we work to provide you with the best customer service — we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. Our hours are 11:00am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday.

At this time, neither our street-level box office or 8th Floor Audience Services office is open for walk-ins, we will update you when we reopen. 

Patrons holding tickets for canceled performances have several options:

• Donate the full or partial value of their ticket purchase to Lyric to provide much-needed support during this difficult time.

• Keep your ticket value on account with Lyric to be used toward future ticket purchases, subscription package purchases, or gift certificates.

• Request a refund to your original payment method.

Lyric hopes to identify a future opportunity to present the new production of Götterdämmerung and the complete new Ring cycle.

All sales are final and Lyric Opera does not offer refunds on tickets. 

Patrons may exchange tickets for another performance of the same opera or musical. Subscribers can make free exchanges up to five days before a performance. Fees apply to date exchanges made 2-4 days prior to a performance. Upgrade fees apply. Value Series subscribers may only exchange into the first three dates, excluding Sundays, of any opera production otherwise upgrade fees will apply. Day-of exchanges and post-performance exchanges are not permitted.

All exchange fees are waived for current Bravo Circle members.

Single tickets may be exchanged for another performance of the same opera or musical up to one day in advance of your performance date. Fees apply. Ticket price increase may apply. Day-of exchanges and post performance exchanges are not permitted.

Read more about out ticket exchange, trade, and donation policies here.

Lyric offers a variety of programs and tickets at discounted rates for children, students, educators, young professionals, and groups of 10 or more. Click here to learn more about Lyric Opera's discount programs.

Be sure to sign up for the Lyric Opera email list and follow us on social media to receive special offers and promo codes for exclusive discounts. 

Lyric Opera is pleased to make rush tickets available at 50% off, two hours before curtain for performances where inventory allows. Visit our rush tickets page for ordering information.

Don’t panic. If you can't find the tickets that were mailed to you or are having trouble reprinting your print-at-home tickets, we will replace them at no charge. Call Audience Services at 312.827.5600 or visit the Lyric Opera Box Office before curtain time to have your tickets reprinted.

You may print the PDF tickets that were emailed to you at home or display the barcode on your smartphone. Our ushers are happy to scan your tickets either way.

Please allow 7–10 business days for tickets to arrive by mail. Orders made within 7 days of a performance will be emailed or held at the box office.

Patrons can opt into a payment plan for subscription orders only. Cross-season subscriptions must be paid in full. All payment plans must be paid in full 2 weeks prior to the first performance. Our most popular payment plans are 50% now and 50% on June 1st. Or  25% down, and 25% for the following 3 months. Personalized payment plans are available by phone. Payment plans are not available for NextNow or LYP Medley series. Payment plans are not eligible for single ticket orders.

Please note: Due to current public health guidelines, our walk-up box office is not currently open. Lyric is available to serve you at 312.827.5600, Monday – Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

During the opera season, the Lyric Opera House Box Office (at the corner of Wacker and Madison) is open from noon to 6:00pm Monday through Friday (noon through the first intermission for evening performances), and noon through the first intermission on Saturdays and Sundays if there is a performance.

Summer box office hours (throughthe end of September) are noon to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

You may also visit the Audience Services Department, located at 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 840. Hours vary:
Monday - Friday (non-performance dates) 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday (evening performance dates) 9:00 am to 7:30 pm
Saturday (non-performance dates) 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday (evening performance dates) 10:00 am to 7:30 pm
Sunday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

To request to be removed from the Lyric Opera mailing list, please call our Audience Services department at 312.827.5600 or email us using the form on our Contact Us page.

Lyric Opera has no formal dress code and a night at the opera can be as casual or as dressy as you'd like. On most nights at Lyric, you’ll see everything from denim to sequins!

Many patrons opt for business casual on weeknights and dress up a little more for Saturday night performances. Of course, any time you attend the opera, part of the glamour and fun is having an opportunity to wear your best special occasion dress or nicest suit.

Our season's opening night in the fall is the fanciest night of the year and the only performance at which you can expect to see a room full of ball gowns and tuxedos.

Read more on what to wear to the opera

Opera, musical, and special event running times vary. For a complete list of estimated length and intermission information, visit our performance running times page.

Opera is frequently performed in the language in which it was originally written. English translations are projected above the stage for every mainstage opera performance. Watching an opera with supertitles is similar to a watching a foreign film with subtitles, they are there to help you follow the story.

Lyric also offers a variety of ways to enhance your experience and understanding of every production:

• Visit our Watch, listen, & discover section to watch behind the scenes videos, read in-depth articles, or peruse the opera program (complete with full synopses) before you go. 

• Register for our Opera Insider Series for an in-depth exploration of each opera in the season.

• Join us in the theatre one hour before curtain time for a free 30-minute pre-opera talk to learn about the composer, the themes within the music and drama and mingle with your fellow operagoers! 

The Lyric Opera House doors open one and a half hours before the start of every performance. We suggest that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the performance or join us in the theatre an hour before curtain time to attend a free pre-opera talk.

If you have reservations for one of our on-site restaurants, please arrive within 15 minutes of your scheduled reservation to be guaranteed a table. 

Please be sure to leave ample time to account for weather, traffic conditions, and parking when traveling to the Lyric Opera House.

For a complete listing of the curtain and running times to help you plan your travel and arrival time visit our performance running times page.

It is Lyric's policy that all performances proceed despite periodic winter weather conditions, because it is not possible to reschedule them. Lyric is located close to both Ogilvie and Union Stations, making public transportation to Lyric performances easy and convenient. We encourage patrons to stay aware of current weather conditions and allow for extra travel time, as necessary.

If you are unable to attend a performance, please consider calling Audience Services at 312.827.5600 to donate your ticket. Exchanges are available, though they may incur fees. Read our policies on ticket exchanges and donations.

There are many self-park locations near the Lyric Opera House and patrons enjoy discounted rates* at The Poetry Garage located at 201 W. Madison Street. 

If you are dropping off passengers with accessibility needs, approach the Opera House along the curb lane on Southbound Wacker Drive near the theater’s main entrance. 

Valet service is also available to Lyric Opera patrons beginning at 5:00pm on performance evenings, regardless of curtain time. For Sunday matinees, valet parking is available beginning at 12:00 noon (time may vary for matinees with an earlier start time). We regret that valet parking is not available for patrons attending weekday dress rehearsals or weekday matinee performances. Valet service is $30.

Visit our Directions & parking page

*Offer only valid weeknights 3pm–3am. Up to 12 hours on weekends. Weekday matinee parking can be purchased for $20 for 12. Vouchers must be purchased online in advance to recieve discount. 

The Lyric Opera House is conveniently located near both Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center. Union Station’s Madison Street exit deposits guests almost directly across the street from their destination. When coming from OTC, exit the building on Madison Street and head left. When you come to the corner of N. Wacker Drive, you will have arrived at your destination. 

For additional information, including train schedules, visit the Regional Transportation Authority's website or contact METRA Train Information/Passenger Services at 312.322.6777.

Visit our directions to Lyric Opera of Chicago page for more public transportation options including nearby CTA bus routes and “L” subway stations.

Lyric strives to make the opera experience accessible for all patrons by providing services for those who may need assistance. Services include accessible seating for those in wheelchairs, FM and Telecoil loop assisted listening devices, audio described performances, touch tours, and additional services to enhance your experience.

Visit our accessibility page for services offered

Please call Audience Services by phone at 312.827.5600 or email at audienceservices@lyricopera.org if you have questions or would like to purchase tickets over the phone. All of our representatives can assist you in finding a seat location and services to fit your needs.

For the safety and security of our patrons, artists, and employees, all persons entering the theater will be subject to a safety and security search and prohibited items may be confiscated.

Prohibited items include:

• weapons of any kind
• laser pointers, or any item that may be considered to be disruptive to the performers or other audience members
• outside food or beverages, with the exception of unopened bottles of water

Large bags/backpacks/briefcases/luggage are also prohibited in the auditorium; patrons will be asked to check their large bags at one of our coat check locations for a fee.

Coat check is available on floors 1, 2, 3 and 5.

Lyric Opera requires that large bags, backpacks, and any item that will not fit on your lap be checked during the performance. There is a $2 charge for all checked items including coats, bags and luggage.

Lyric reserves the right to search bags for security reasons.

Yes, children are welcome at the opera! Lyric even offers child ticket prices for every performance (available by phone only at 312.827.5600).

When it comes to children, please use your best judgement with regard to length of the performance, the content, and your child’s comfort. Operas with shorter lengths or child-friendly themes like Cinderella or Hansel and Gretel or the children's programming offered through Lyric Unlimited are often great places to start nurturing your young opera lover.

Please note: We ask that all children under 17 be accompanied by an adult. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate babes in arms or lap-sitting. Child tickets are subject to availability and not retroactive to previous purchases.

Opera has a tradition of starting promptly and the doors to the house are closed at curtain time. We realize that Chicago weather and traffic can cause delays, and so we urge you to plan your travel and parking carefully to leave plenty of time so that you don’t miss a note of the music! We always will try to accommodate latecomers in an available section of the house or at a pre-determined break, which may be intermission, but house capacity does not always allow this. Video screens are available in the lobby so you won’t miss a moment of the performance. 

Please be aware that patrons who must leave their seats during a performance will not be readmitted into the house until intermission or a suitable break. 

Except for unopened bottles of water, outside food and beverages are not permitted inside Lyric Opera House. We offer several onsite dining options as well as refreshments for purchase before performances and during intermissions throughout the building. 

Did you know that you can take beverages to your seat during Lyric performances? Lyric commemorative cups are available at beverage concessions on all floors, which may be taken in to enjoy during the show. 

Photography and/or audio and video recording of any kind are prohibited during the performance. You are encouraged to take photographs and share your experience on social media from the lobby and other parts of the public, non-performance spaces in the house, as well as the house itself, but not during the performance.

Have a question about the performance, need a recommendation on where to grab a bite to eat, or even directions to the restroom or coat check? Lyric's friendly concierge desk staffers are here to help before the performance or at first intermission right in the lobby.

In the case of an emergency, please find any front of house staff member for assistance.

Please email lostandfound@lyricopera.org and give us a detailed description of your item. If it was turned into Lost and Found we will contact you. We make every attempt to hold items for the entire opera season.

A wide selection of Lyric-themed items, merchandise, and souvenirs are available for puchase online at our Opera Shop or in person at the merchandise table located in the lobby for the majority of our opera and musical performances. (Merchandise table will not be open during opening night.)

A $15 per-order shipping fee will be applied to all merchandise purchases.

No refunds or returns are available for Opera Shop merchandise. Exchanges are allowed only for different sizes of the same item, subject to availability. In the event that an item is damaged in transit, an even exchange will be processed. Contact us at 312.827.5686 or operashop@lyricopera.org.

On performance days, the Opera Shop opens one hour before each performance and operates during all intermissions in the Nancy Knowles Lobby of the Lyric Opera House. On non-performance days, merchandise can be purchased Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm in the 8th-floor gift shop or anytime through our online Opera Shop.