In a smoky cigarette factory on the brink of civil war, love becomes a battlefield in the The Joffrey Ballet’s U.S. premiere of Liam Scarlett’s Carmen at the Lyric Opera House. Opening the Joffrey’s 70th anniversary season on Sept. 18, 2025, Scarlett’s Carmen brings striking new visual intensity to Georges Bizet‘s iconic score — but it’s the music, […]
Globe-trotting, internationally renowned opera and theatre director Francesca Zambello is back in Chicago at Lyric Opera of Chicago directing the universally beloved musical West Side Story — still relevant some 66 years since its Broadway debut — and how very lucky we are to have her here. She partnered previously with Lyric on productions of […]
It has often been said that opera is an acquired taste, more so than any other form of music or art. Many opera aficionados are well into adulthood and, over time, have come to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of a wonderfully executed performance, including the grandiose music, emotional vocals and elaborate costumes that are […]
It’s been five years since the Lyric Opera of Chicago has held its popular wine auction, dubbed by Wine Spectator as “one of the 15 best charity wine auctions in the country.” The last one, held in 2018, raised $2.2 million to support the opera company’s general operations, plus Lyric Unlimited, the company’s learning and […]
Mark your calendars: The next Lyric Wine Auction may not be until May 13, 2023, but there is already an impressive array of priceless lots confirmed, including rare wines and travel experiences, thanks to the generosity of vintners, hospitality partners and Lyric Opera patrons around the world. The Lyric Wine Auction is one of Chicago’s […]
Wanderlust abounds, especially in the Chicagoland area after a long, gray winter. Rather than throwing a dart at a wall map, find your next once-in-a-lifetime travel experience in an unexpected place. Just because “Wine Auction” is the name of the event, doesn’t mean wine is the only thing up for auction that evening. Lyric Opera […]
Where there’s a browser, there’s a way! Auctions are no longer limited to one evening affairs where you’re out of luck if you’re out of town or otherwise engaged. With the help of technology, wine, travel, and auction lovers around the globe have the ability to win once-in-a-lifetime experiences and rare, collectable bottles of wine. […]
Listening to opera is not for everyone, this much is true. But far too many people exempt themselves from the glitz and glamour of a live opera performance because they’re afraid they won’t like it — or worse, won’t understand it and risk looking like a hayseed. Use this helpful guide to find out which […]
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s love affair with the beautiful Renée Fleming shows no signs of cooling, and after the premiere of “The Merry Widow” Nov. 14, the whole arts community and beyond appeared to be wrapped in the embrace of this acclaimed American soprano. A virtually sold-out crowd packed the Civic Opera House to see and […]
Lyric Opera of Chicago is presenting the story of Cinderella as we’ve never seen it before. Gioachino Rossini’s marvelous retelling of this story (“La Cenerentola”) at the Civic Opera House makes us forget the Disney version. There is no fairy godmother. Instead, a towering philosopher sees to it that virtue is rewarded. No cute little […]
