CHICAGO OPERA NEWS COVERAGE

Chicago's two major opera companies – Lyric Opera of Chicago (Lyric) and Chicago Opera Theater (COT) – will join forces for a unique discussion on two operas based on the same source material: Ludwig van Beethoven's only opera Fidelio – to be presented at Lyric from September 26 through October 10, ...

Chicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago's foremost producer of new and rarely produced operas, begins its 2024/25 Season, with an exciting and aptly timed production of the North American premiere of Leonora....

John Mangum has been named General Director, President & CEO of Lyric Opera of Chicago, bringing extensive experience in artistic and performing arts leadership. Learn more about Mangum!...

Bellissima Opera will present double-header featuring a new work on friendship, rivalry, racism, and redemption during WWII, paired with a modern exploration of romance and life. Performances on July 20 and 21, 2024....

Paul Robeson: Man Of The People, a new jazz poetry opera will have its Chicago premiere: Friday, June 7, 2024 with a free performance at Hamilton Park District....

Karen Slack has joined Lyric Opera of Chicago as the newest Artist-in-Residence, bringing her acclaimed talent and experience to the renowned opera company. Learn more about Slack!...

Discover the exciting new season announced by CHICAGO OPERA THEATER for 2024-25. Get a sneak peek into the upcoming performances and stay updated with the latest in the world of opera....

Get a first listen to the beginning of Act One, where Verdi gives Radamès (sung here by Lyric favorite Russell Thomas) one of the most challenging and iconic tenor arias in the repertoire — 'Celeste Aida.' Hear this hope-filled aria in Verdi's AIDA, onstage through April 7.  ...

For the first time in more than a decade, Verdi’s romantic and political drama Aida has returned to Lyric Opera of Chicago through April 7, 2024. Watch footage from the production's 'Triumphal March' here!...

Lyric Opera of Chicago has revealed its 2024/25 Season. See the full season lineup and learn how to purchase tickets!...

For the first time in more than a decade, Verdi’s romantic and political drama Aida returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago, March 9 to April 7, 2024. Watch footage from the production here!...

For the first time in more than a decade, Verdi’s romantic and political drama Aida returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago, March 9 to April 7, 2024. See photos from the production. ...

Rule #1: Don't wake Don Magnifico! In this video, watch a scene from Rossini's CINDERELLA at Lyric Opera of Chicago....

Watch Tenor Jack Swanson sing 'Si Ritrovarla io Giuro', the iconic aria from Rossini's CINDERELLA in the video here!...

Lyric Opera of Chicago has released video footage of Justin Austin performing 'What Makes a Man a Man' from Terence Blanchard's CHAMPION below. Ahead of his fateful fight with Benny 'Kid' Paret, Emile Griffith finds himself torn between societal expectations and the desire to be his true self. Watch...

The music of Terence Blanchard has returned to Lyric Opera of Chicago with his first opera: Champion, an 'opera in jazz' inspired by the true story of boxer Emile Griffith, a professional boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands who threw a fatal punch in the boxing ring in 1962. Get a first look at the p...

Rossini's CENERENTOLA — or, CINDERELLA — has been an audience favorite for more than 200 years. From its perfectly balanced structure to the fun and fizzy melodies, Maestra Yi-Chen Lin shares why this beloved opera has stood the test of time. Watch the interview here!...

The music of Terence Blanchard has returned to Lyric Opera of Chicago with his first opera: Champion, an 'opera in jazz' inspired by the true story of boxer Emile Griffith, a professional boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands who threw a fatal punch in the boxing ring in 1962. Check out production phot...

Watch as in this joyful Act Two aria, the kind-hearted Angelina (mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya in her U.S. operatic debut) chooses love and forgiveness over sadness and revenge. Rossini's CINDERELLA is onstage at Lyric, now through February 10. ...

In an all-new video, Associate Choreographer Christopher Jackson discusses the gumbo of dance found in Terence Blanchard's CHAMPION. ...

Rossini's popular retelling of the beloved Cinderella story, on stage at Lyric Opera of Chicago from January 21 to February 10, 2024, adds a few fabulous operatic twists to the traditional fairy tale. ...

Meet the cast of The Lyric Opera of Chicago's CINDERELLA — onstage January 21 through February 10 starring Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, Jack Swanson, Alessandro Corbelli, Joshua Hopkins, Nicholas Newton, Teresa Castillo, and Sophia Maekawa in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's iconic production. ...

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 in an all-new video. ...

Lyric Opera of Chicago is presenting the Lyric premiere of Grammy Award-winning composer Terence Blanchard and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning librettist Michael Cristofer’s knockout opera Champion. Learn more about this opera!...

Lyric Opera of Chicago has released video footage of Nina Stemme from their production of Janáček’s JENŮFA. Watch the footage here!...