February 03. 2023 - February 12. 2023
Upcoming Dates
February 03. 2023 - February 12. 2023
World premiere The Factotum
Grammy-nominated baritone Will Liverman, a Ryan Opera Center alumnus, is rapidly rising to national prominence and recently triumphed at the Metropolitan Opera. Now he joins dynamic producer/DJ/multi-instrumentalist DJ King Rico in creating a new work inspired by Rossini's The Barber of Seville that has grown into a joyful, original piece all its own, commissioned by Lyric. 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. Those styles connect brilliantly with classical singing in a very human comedy that redefines everything that opera can be.
- Language: Sung in English with projected English titles
- Running Time: 2 hours 20 minutes with 1 intermission
- Location: Harris Theater
Lyric's world premiere of The Factotum is generously made possible by Ford Foundation, Roberta L. & Robert J. Washlow, the John R. and Grace K. Stanek Charitable Fund, Gene & Jean Stark, OPERA America, the Bill & Orli Staley Foundation, and Mary Stowell.
Additional support is provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago's Production Circle.
Videos
Meet the artists
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Will Liverman **
Co-Creator & Mike
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DJ King Rico *
Co-Creator
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Gabriella Reyes
Rose
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Norman Garrett
Garby
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Melody Betts
Chantel
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Terrence Chin-Loy
Charlie
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Kedrick Armstrong *
Conductor
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Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj *
Director
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Roma Flowers
Video Designer
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Mikaela Fraser *
Sound Designer
KEIRSTEN HODGENS
CECE
SYMONE SANDRA
SANDRA
ADAM RICHARDSON
LEEROY
HARLAN PENN*
SET DESIGNER
DEVARIO SIMMONS*
COSTUME DESIGNER
JIJI CHANG*
LIGHTING DESIGNER
MALEEK WASHINGTON
CHOREOGRAPHER
* Lyric debut
** Ryan Opera Center alum