Lyric Opera Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Lyric Opera of Chicago. Here you will find current audition opportunities across the company.

Singers and instrumentalists wishing to receive audition information from Lyric Opera of Chicago or The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center may contact the appropriate administrators as follows:

Enrique Mazzola, Music Director announces the following vacancy: Section Viola

Auditions to be held February 8-12, 2025 
Successful candidate to start in September 2025

In the 2025/26 Season, the successful candidate may receive:

• 21-week contract (late September – April)
• Base rate and vacation pay to equal $78,000
• Benefits Package (11.99% Pension; Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Instrument
  Insurance)
  

For further information, and to receive audition materials, please email [email protected].

To audition, please send your resume and a $50.00 refundable deposit to:

Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra Auditions
Section Viola
20 North Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

*Please note that audition times will be granted upon receipt of $50.00 deposit.

HIGHLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS ONLY

Vacancies resulting from the selection of a current Lyric Opera Orchestra member for any position may be filled at this time by anyother applicant who advances to the finals in these auditions.

 

Enrique Mazzola, Music Director announces the following vacancy: Section Violin

Auditions to be held April 4-5, 7-10, 2025
Successful candidate to start in September 2025

In the 2025/26 Season, the successful candidate may receive:

• 21-week contract (late September – April)
• Base rate and vacation pay to equal $78,000
• Benefits Package (11.99% Pension; Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Instrument
  Insurance)
  

For further information, and to receive audition materials, please email [email protected].

To audition, please send your resume and a $50.00 refundable deposit to:

Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra Auditions
Section Violin
20 North Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

*Please note that audition times will be granted upon receipt of $50.00 deposit.

HIGHLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS ONLY

Vacancies resulting from the selection of a current Lyric Opera Orchestra member for any position may be filled at this time by anyother applicant who advances to the finals in these auditions.

2026/27 Ensemble singer and pianist applications are now being accepted!

The approximate contract dates are May 4, 2026 through April 25, 2027 (subject to change), with an option for renewal as the positions are expected to have a two-year residency.

Applications are free and must be submitted via YAP Tracker. For questions, please contact Susanna McNatt, Ryan Opera Center Manager, [email protected], 312-827-3510.

[APPLY NOW FOR 2026/27 SINGERS]

[APPLY NOW FOR 2026/27 PIANIST]

New York City Auditions
Pianist Audition Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
Singer Audition Dates: Sunday-Monday, April 6-7, 2025
Application deadline: Monday, March 3, 2025

Chicago Auditions #1
Pianist Audition Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Singer Audition Dates: Friday-Saturday, May 16-17, 2025
Application deadline: Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Chicago Auditions #2
Singer and Pianist Audition Dates: Friday-Saturday, July 11-12, 2025
Application deadline: Friday, June 6, 2025

There are no chorus auditions currently scheduled.

There are no dance auditions currently scheduled.

There are no Lyric Unlimited auditions currently scheduled.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's music staff consists of cover conductors, répétiteurs, and prompters. If you you like to be considered for a position on Lyric Opera's music staff, please email your résumé and references to [email protected]. If you are interested in cover conducting and have conducting reels available to you, please be sure to include them.

Alternate contact information is:
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Music Staff Auditions
20 N. Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

There are no musical theater auditions currently scheduled.

Some productions may require individuals with special talents to perform on stage, including:

• Ballet
• Children's Chorus
• Supernumeraries ("extras")
• Actors

Auditions for these roles are conducted on an "as needed" basis only; to find out about current/upcoming opportunities, please call the Audition Hotline at 312.827.3548. 

Lyric grants auditions for principal roles to professional opera singers on an invitation-only basis. The artist's management should email [email protected] with requests for an audition.

 

To obtain an information packet about becoming a supernumerary at Lyric Opera of Chicago, please send your information to Bill Walters, super captain, at [email protected].

For additional information, please call the supernumerary hotline at 312.827.3538.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg