Lyric Opera of Chicago – Clef Notes Chicagoland Journal for the Arts

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Opera in the Neighborhoods program will once again bring a live performance tour to school and

Joffrey Ballet Announces Return of Possokhov’s Don Quixote

December 3, 2021 Fred Cummings Don Quixote, Joffrey Ballet, Lyric Opera of Chicago

The Joffrey Ballet is kicking off off 2022 with the remount of Yuri Possokhov’s fresh interpretation of Don Quixote, the classic story written by Miguel De Cervantes, presented during the Joffrey’s first-ever season at the historic Lyric Opera House in downtown Chicago at 20 North Upper Wacker Drive, in 10 performance only, February 16–27, 2022.

Autumn 2020 Theater

A Question of Diversity

November 3, 2020 Leslie Price A Red Orchid Theatre, Black Ensemble Theater, Court Theatre, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Old Town School of Folk Music

Though most stages are dark and classrooms empty as performing arts organizations head into the fall, artists and administrators are busier than ever. In this era when audiences can’t gather, and collaborative art is a struggle to create safely, Chicago artists are using their time to do difficult and important work around equity, diversity and inclusion, using this summer’s protests as a springboard for meaningful change.

Lyric Unlimited Announces Virtual Learning Programming for 2020

October 23, 2020 Vickie Moore Lyric Opera of Chicago, Lyric Unlimited

After recent announcements about Lyric’s upcoming programming for 2020, amidst ongoing public-health regulations, the Lyric Unlimited – Learning & Creative Engagement wing of Lyric Opera of Chicago has also announced its plan to continue in-school and out-of-school virtual education programs for the 2020-21 school year, as well as engaging virtual community programs. These programs include Lyric’s Opera Residencies; EmpowerYouth!, in partnership with the Chicago Urban League; and public programs inspired by the Chicago premiere of Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s Blue.

Music

Lyric Opera Names Sylvia Neil First Woman Board Chair

September 30, 2020 Vickie Moore Anthony Freud, Ardis Krainik, Carol Fox, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Sylvia Neil

Anthony Freud, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s general director, president & CEO, has announced the election of Sylvia Neil as chair of Lyric’s Board of Directors, the first woman board chair in Lyric’s history. Neil was elected unanimously during Lyric’s Annual Meeting of members and the Board of Directors’ Annual Meeting in early September, after holding the position of board chair-elect for the last year. In her acceptance speech Neil said, “I am honored to be the first woman chair of Lyric, and am humbled and inspired by Carol Fox and Ardis Krainik, the extraordinary groundbreaking women general directors of our past. These are the folks that light my path forward.”

Joffrey-Ballet-and-Lyric-Opera-Orphee-et-Eurydice

Ballet Dance Summer 2020

Joffery’s Big Move

August 18, 2020 Leslie Price Ashley Wheater, Auditorium Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Autumn 2020 brings a new and exciting partnership for Chicago audiences to enjoy when the Joffrey Ballet officially joins forces with the Lyric Opera to share the iconic Lyric Opera House on North Wacker Drive.

The partnership of these two pillars of the Chicago cultural scene has developed over time. First, as an artistic collaboration with 2017’s Orphée et Eurydice, a thrilling piece that blended the musical talents of the Lyric with ballet sequences performed by the Joffrey. During this laudable production, these cherished arts institutions discovered a kind of symbiosis that held the potential for extension beyond a single event.

Classical Music Music

“For the Love of Lyric,” a Virtual Concert to Open Lyric Opera’s New “Reimagined” Season

August 11, 2020 Vickie Moore Lyric Opera of Chicago, Renee Fleming

Lyric Opera of Chicago will open the company’s reimagined fall season with “For the Love of Lyric,” a virtual concert from the stage of the Lyric Opera House, on Sunday, September 13, available for free streaming starting at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

“Lyric’s Opening Night Opera Ball has long been a signature project of Lyric’s Women’s Board,” says Lyric’s general director, president and CEO, Anthony Freud.

Classical Music Music

Lyric Opera to Cancel Remainder of 2020 Programming

June 17, 2020 Vickie Moore COVID-19, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Based on guidance from the city, state, and federal agencies regarding the ongoing health crisis, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s general director, president, and CEO, Anthony Freud, has announced the decision to cancel performances in the Lyric Opera House from September to December in Lyric’s 2020/21 Season.

Arts Summer 2020

Pandemic Pallor Sets In with Shutdowns Shutting Audiences Out of Area Arts Venues

June 1, 2020 Leslie Price Anthony Freud, Auditorium Theatre, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Lori Lightfoot, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Music Institute of Chicago

“It’s extraordinary that our world should have been turned upside down in such a short amount of time,” sighs Anthony Freud, Lyric Opera’s general director and CEO as he recounts the days before and after having to cancel the Lyric’s much anticipated Ring Cycle. “But we always have to remember that this is a national and a global tragedy in which we, Lyric Opera, are a tiny microcosm.”

Classical Music Music

Lyric Opera to Move Remainder of 2019/20 Programming to Upcoming Seasons

April 3, 2020 David Henley Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s General Director, President & CEO, Anthony Freud, announced today that all public performances, events, and activities remaining in the 2019/20 Season have been moved into upcoming seasons. This includes the musical 42nd Street, the new chamber opera Blue, Family Day at the Lyric Opera House, and all backstage tours, in order to heed social distancing recommendations and continue to support the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois in controlling the spread of COVID-19. This announcement signals the end of public performances and activities through June 30, 2020 – the end of Lyric’s current fiscal year.
Working to postpone rather than cancel planned artistic and engagement events, Lyric has announced that all of Lyric’s May and June performances and events have been successfully moved into upcoming seasons.