World premiere Proximity

Sure to be one of the most widely heralded musical events of 2022/23, Proximity is a gripping, powerful trio of new works that confronts head-on some of the greatest challenges affecting us as a society: yearning for connection in a world driven by technology; the devastating impact of gun violence on cities and neighborhoods; and the need to respect and protect our natural resources. As the story zooms in and out from the individual to the community to the cosmic, we find ourselves in a compelling snapshot of 21st century life, with all of its complex intersections and commonalities. This new Lyric commission, bringing together a complement of some of the most important creative minds of our time, including winners of the Pulitzer Prize, Grammy Awards, and the MacArthur Genius Grant, promises to be by turns riveting, provocative, and inspiring.

The Walkers Composed by Daniel Bernard Roumain with libretto by Anna Deavere Smith.
Four Portraits Composed by Caroline Shaw with libretto by Caroline Shaw and Jocelyn Clark.
Night Composed by John Luther Adams with libretto by John Haines.

Language: Sung in English with projected English titles
Running Time: 100 minutes with no intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House

Audio-described performance

Audio-described performances include a narration which guides the listener through the presentation with concise, objective descriptions of new scenes, settings, costumes, and body language, communicated to the patron through headphones at appropriate times throughout the performance. Devices may be borrowed from coat check 1 on the main floor.
Touch tour

Guided touch tours tailored to patrons who are blind or have low-vision are held prior to the performance.
ASL-interpreted performance

All dialogue and lyrics will be translated into American Sign Language by two certified interpreters located near the stage. Select seats are reserved to give you the best sight lines to follow the interpretation and all the action on stage.
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Lyric’s world premiere of Proximity is generously made possible by an Anonymous Donor, OPERA America, and support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Additional support is provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago's Production Circle.

Articles

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By Graham Meyer

Seeing ourselves: new work at Lyric

“I believe opera is for everyone,” says Anthony Freud, Lyric’s General Director, President & CEO. “Lyric has an unswerving commitment to exploring the great works of the operatic repertoire, mining their power and relevance. But I understand that the heritage repertoire may not have obvious appeal to everyone. I want us to find and create new works that will both thrill the existing opera lover and intrigue and excite people who have never been in the building before.”

Whitney Morrison **

Yasmine Miller

Whitney Morrison

Yasmine Miller

Ryan Opera Center alumna

Whitney Morrison, the soprano, a Chicago native and a Ryan Opera Center alumna, has triumphed in multiple roles at Lyric.

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Gordon Hawkins

Preacher Man

Gordon Hawkins

Preacher Man

American baritone Gordon Hawkins sung in the Lyric Opera production of Dead Man Walking (2019|20)

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Issachah Savage

Curtis Toler

Issachah Savage

Curtis Toler

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Norman Garrett

Bilal

Norman Garrett

Bilal

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Ron Dukes ***

Chief's Son #1 / Passenger 8

Ron Dukes

Chief's Son #1 / Passenger 8

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

First-year Ryan Opera Center bass Ron Dukes is from Indianapolis, IN.

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Martin Luther Clark ***

Chief's Son #2

Martin Luther Clark

Chief's Son #2

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Third-year Ryan Opera Center tenor Martin Luther Clark recently completed his studies at the Curtis Institute of Music, receiving a master’s degree in opera.

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Zoie Reams

Soloist / Chief's Daughter #2

Zoie Reams

Soloist / Chief's Daughter #2

American mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams made her Lyric debut as Flora Bervoix/ La traviata (2018|19).

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Lindsey Reynolds ***

Passenger 2 / Very Loud Girl

Lindsey Reynolds

Passenger 2 / Very Loud Girl

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

First-year Ryan Opera Center soprano Lindsey Reynolds is from New Orleans, LA.

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Jeff Parker *

Arne Duncan

Jeff Parker

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John Holiday *

A

John Holiday

A

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Lucia Lucas *

B

Lucia Lucas

B

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Kathryn Henry ***

Passenger 1

Kathryn Henry

Passenger 1

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

First-year Ryan Opera Center soprano Kathryn Henry is from Sheyboygan, WI.

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Stephanie Sanchez

Passenger 3

Stephanie Sanchez

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Katherine DeYoung ***

Passenger 4

Katherine DeYoung

Passenger 4

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Third-year Ryan Opera Center mezzo-soprano Katherine DeYoung hails from Traverse City, Michigan.

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Lunga Eric Hallam ***

Passenger 5

Lunga Eric Hallam

Passenger 5

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Third-year Ryan Opera Center tenor Lunga Eric Hallam is from Khayelitsha, South Africa.

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Alejandro Luévanos ***

Passenger 6

Alejandro Luévanos

Passenger 6

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

First-year Ryan Opera Center tenor Alejandro Luévanos was Born in Durango, Mexico.

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Laureano Quant ***

Passenger 7

Laureano Quant

Passenger 7

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

First-year Ryan Opera Center baritone Laureano Quant is from Barranquilla, Colombia.

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Corinne Wallace-Crane

GPS

Corinne Wallace-Crane

GPS

Corinne Wallace-Crane, mezzo, is a member of the Lyric Opera Chorus.

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Daniel Bernard Roumain

Composer

Daniel Bernard Roumain

Composer

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Anna Deavere Smith

Librettist

Anna Deavere Smith

Librettist

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John Luther Adams

Composer

John Luther Adams

Composer

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John Haines

Librettist

John Haines

Librettist

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Caroline Shaw

Composer & Librettist

Caroline Shaw

Composer & Librettist

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Jocelyn Clarke

Librettist

Jocelyn Clarke

Librettist

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Kazem Abdullah *

Conductor

Kazem Abdullah

Conductor

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Yuval Sharon

Director

Yuval Sharon

Director

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Rena Butler

Choreographer

Rena Butler

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Jason H. Thompson

Production Designer

Jason H. Thompson

Production Designer

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Kaitlyn Pietras

Production Designer

Kaitlyn Pietras

Production Designer

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served as chorus master of Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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Josephine Lee

Uniting Voices Chicago Master

Josephine Lee

Uniting Voices Chicago Master

Josephine Lee, the president and artistic director of Uniting Voices Chicago has revolutionized youth choral music.

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Renée Fleming

Curator

Renée Fleming

Curator

Renée Fleming, Lyric’s special projects advisor and formerly its first creative consultant, is one of the most beloved and celebrated singers of our time.

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