Champion

January 27. 2024 - February 11. 2024

January 27. 2024 - February 11. 2024

Lyric Premiere Champion

An opera by Terence Blanchard. Libretto by Michael Cristofer.

Lyric Opera of Chicago welcomes Champion, the first opera written by composer Terence Blanchard. Based on a true story and featuring a libretto by Michael Cristofer; the drama unfolds in what composer Terence Blanchard calls “an opera in jazz.” Welterweight boxer Emile Griffith is tortured by the complex realities of his 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. James Robinson’s production arrives in Chicago with a remarkable cast. Joining Lyric favorites Reginald Smith, Jr., Whitney Morrison, and Paul Groves is Justin Austin, a brilliant new star who triumphed in Fire Shut Up in My Bones, with Music Director Enrique Mazzola leading the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

Content advisory: Champion is about the life of Emile Griffith. In the telling of this complex story, Champion contains mature themes including physical violence, profanity, sexually explicit language, and homophobic slurs.

 

  • Language: Sung in English with projected English titles
  • Running Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes, including 1 intermission
  • Location: Lyric Opera House

Lyric’s presentation of Blanchard and Cristofer's Champion is generously made possible by The Zell Family Foundation, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Pritzker Traubert Foundation, the Pritzker Foundation, the Gramma Fisher Foundation of Marshalltown, Iowa, Ethel & Bill* Gofen, The Joyce Foundation, Lori Ann Komisar and Morris Silverman and Roberta L. and Robert J. Washlow.

Major support for The New Work Fund provided by the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation, David W. Carpenter and Orit K. Carpenter, in loving memory of David W. Carpenter and Virginia Tobiason.

Maestro Enrique Mazzola is generously sponsored by Alice & John Butler, H. Gael Neeson, Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel, and the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation as members of the Enrique Circle.

Athletico is the official provider of physical therapy for Lyric.

*deceased

Videos

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Justin Austin sings "What Makes a Man a Man" from Blanchard's CHAMPION

Ahead of his fateful fight with Benny "Kid" Paret, Emile Griffith (sung here by baritone Justin Austin) finds himself torn between societal expectations and the desire to be his true self.

Terence Blanchard's CHAMPION: Training Scene

Watch fists and feet fly like the wind in this training montage from Terence Blanchard's Champion — an "opera in jazz" based on the true story of world champion boxer Emile Griffith.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Blanchard's CHAMPION

Champion, an opera by Terence Blanchard with libretto by Michael Cristofer, tells the true story of welterweight boxer Emile Griffith who is haunted by guilt. This “opera in jazz” features a brilliant cast, including Reginald Smith, Jr. and Justin Austin, and is led by Music Director Enrique Mazzola.

 

Exploring the dance of CHAMPION

In this interview, Associate Choreographer Christopher Jackson discusses the "gumbo" of dance found in Terence Blanchard's Champion. From samba to solid gold, take a peek inside the rehearsal room as dancers bring award-winning choreographer Camille A. Brown's vision to life.

Director James Robinson on Blanchard's CHAMPION

Who is Emile Griffith? Learn about the world champion boxer and see how his story inspired Grammy Award-winning composer Terence Blanchard's first foray into opera in this interview with director James Robinson.

FIRST LOOK: Photoshoot for Blanchard's CHAMPION

Take a first look at Justin Austin (Young Emile) as he does promotional photos for Lyric Opera's upcoming presentation of Terence Blanchard and Michael Cristofer's Champion.

Audience programs

January 27 - February 11, 2024

concrete, rose.

concrete, rose.

Join us for a new exhibit from celebrated Chicago artist and collector Patric McCoy in collaboration with the Chicago premiere of Champion. The exhibit, called “concrete, rose.” is the fourth installment of Patric McCoy’s seminal collection of Black male vernacular photography, curated by Viktor L. Ewing-Givens of Southern Android productions. This archive of images gives a photojournalistic glimpse into both the personal and the political landscape of Chicago’s not-so-distant past. Exhibit hours at Lyric Opera House are Monday through Friday, 9:30 am - 11:30 am, and 2 hours prior to and during every performance of Champion and Cinderella.

Learn more

Pre-opera talk

Speaker: Roderick K. Hawkins

Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.

Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.

Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.

A recorded version of the Pre-opera talk is available below. 

© 2023/24 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
Music excerpted from the Metropolitan Opera production of Champion, presented in 2023 and available on Met Opera on Demand.

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

Audio excerpts

By Terence Blanchard

Music excerpted from the Metropolitan Opera production of Champion, presented in 2023 and available on Met Opera on Demand.

Excerpt 1

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Excerpt 2

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Photos

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Justin Austin as Young Emile Griffith, Reginald Smith, Jr. as Emile Griffith, and the Company of Champion.

Photo: Michael Brosilow

The Company of Champion.

Photo: Michael Brosilow

Whitney Morrison as Emelda Griffith.

Photo: Michael Brosilow

The Company of Champion.

Photo: Michael Brosilow

Justin Austin as Young Emile Griffith and the Company of Champion.

Photo: Michael Brosilow

Justin Austin as Young Emile Griffith and the Company of Champion.

Photo: Michael Brosilow

Articles

Get to know: Blanchard's CHAMPION

Champion, an opera by Terence Blanchard with libretto by Michael Cristofer, tells the true story of welterweight boxer Emile Griffith who is haunted by guilt. Learn more about the "opera in jazz" in this blog and witness its Lyric premiere January 27-February 11.
Read More
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A potent blend

Terence Blanchard's highly acclaimed debut opera, Champion, has made its premiere at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Described in the composer’s subtitle as an “Opera in Jazz,” the work goes beyond the confines of conventional operatic performance, featuring mesmerizing jazz styles seamlessly blended with allusions to traditional opera.
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The sound of today

In considering the career of Lyric’s Music Director Enrique Mazzola, one might be forgiven for thinking first of bel canto — and, of course, of early Verdi and French repertoire. But Mazzola enjoys similar international recognition as a commissioner and supporter of new work for symphony halls, opera houses, and beyond. As he takes the podium for Champion — his first 21st-century piece at Lyric — we spoke with him about the importance of music that speaks to our contemporary world.
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By Louise T. Guinther

Taking a solo

To compose Champion, Terence Blanchard knew he’d have to rely on his own individual sensibilities. See what inspired the seven-time Grammy winner to delve into opera in this blog and experience his "opera in jazz" onstage at Lyric, January 21-February 11.
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By Naomi André

Making a man

In its multilayered portrait of Emile Griffith, Champion illuminates complex aspects of Black fame and identity. Learn more about the opera and the man who inspired it all in this article from Naomi André.
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Marvelous Maestri of the 2023/24 Season

From bubbling romantic comedies to dark and brooding melodramas, Lyric's 2023/24 Season has something for everyone. At the helm of these diverse titles, we have a lineup of exciting conductors keeping things in perfect tune. Meet these noteworthy musicians and get ready for a season of unforgettable memories, beginning September 23.
Read More

Artists

  • Reginald Smith, Jr.

    Reginald Smith, Jr.

    Emile Griffith

  • Justin Austin

    Justin Austin

    Young Emile

  • Whitney Morrison

    Whitney Morrison **

    Emelda Griffith

  • Martin Luther Clark

    Martin Luther Clark **

    Luis Griffith

  • Paul Groves

    Paul Groves

    Howie Albert

  • Leroy Davis

    Leroy Davis **

    Benny "Kid" Paret/Benny Paret, Jr.

  • Meredith Arwady

    Meredith Arwady **

    Kathy Hagen

  • Meroë Khalia Adeeb

    Meroë Khalia Adeeb

    Sadie Donastrog Griffith

  • Krysty Swann

    Krysty Swann

    Cousin Blanche

  • Naya James

    Naya James *

    Little Emile

  • Ian Rucker

    Ian Rucker ***

    Young Man/Man in Bar

  • Larry Yando

    Larry Yando

    Ring Announcer

  • Emily Mwila

    Emily Mwila

    Lucia Paret

  • Cameo T. Humes

    Cameo T. Humes

    Mano Alfaro

  • Enrique Mazzola

    Enrique Mazzola

    Conductor

  • James Robinson

    James Robinson

    Director

  • Allen Moyer

    Allen Moyer

    Set Designer

  • Montana Levi Blanco

    Montana Levi Blanco *

    Costume Designer

  • Donald Holder

    Donald Holder

    Lighting Designer

  • Greg Emetaz

    Greg Emetaz

    Projection Designer

  • Michael Black

    Michael Black

    Chorus Director

  • Camille A. Brown

    Camille A. Brown

    Choreographer

 

* Lyric debut
*** Ryan Opera Center Ensemble
** Ryan Opera Center alum

Program book

Go inside this production of Champion with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

Download program book

Commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera. Originally commissioned by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, co-commissioned by Jazz St. Louis. A co-production of Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Metropolitan Opera.

Header image: Todd Rosenberg