Join us for a conversation on new works with Lyric’s Chief Artistic Administration Officer, Matthew Ozawa
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March 24. 2023 - April 08. 2023
Upcoming Dates
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March 24. 2023 - April 08. 2023
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 Clarke.
Night Composed by John Luther Adams with libretto by John Haines.
Proximity addresses adult themes and contains some adult language.
- Language: Sung in English with projected English titles
- Running Time: 2 hours 10 minutes with 1 intermission
- Location: Lyric Opera House
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
By Graham Meyer
“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.”
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Meet the artists
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Whitney Morrison **
Yasmine Miller
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Gordon Hawkins
Preacher Man
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Issachah Savage
Curtis Toler
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Norman Garrett
Bilal
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Ron Dukes ***
Chief's Son #1 / Passenger 8
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Martin Luther Clark ***
Chief's Son #2
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Kearstin Piper Brown
Chief's Daughter #1
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Zoie Reams
Soloist / Chief's Daughter #2
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Lindsey Reynolds ***
Passenger 2 / Very Loud Girl
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Jeff Parker *
Arne Duncan
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John Holiday *
A
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Lucia Lucas *
B
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Kathryn Henry ***
Passenger 1
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Stephanie Sanchez
Passenger 3
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Katherine DeYoung ***
Passenger 4
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Lunga Eric Hallam ***
Passenger 5
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Alejandro Luévanos ***
Passenger 6
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Laureano Quant ***
Passenger 7
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Corinne Wallace-Crane
GPS
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Daniel Bernard Roumain
Composer
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Anna Deavere Smith
Librettist
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John Luther Adams
Composer
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John Haines
Librettist
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Caroline Shaw
Composer & Librettist
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Jocelyn Clarke
Librettist
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Kazem Abdullah *
Conductor
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Yuval Sharon
Director
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Rena Butler
Choreographer
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Jason H. Thompson
Production Designer
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Kaitlyn Pietras
Production Designer
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Michael Black
Chorus Master
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Josephine Lee
Children's Chorus Master
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Renée Fleming
Curator
UNITING VOICES CHICAGO
CARLOS J SOTO
COSTUME DESIGNER
* Lyric debut
** Ryan Opera Center alumnus
*** Ryan Opera Center Ensemble