Fire Shut Up in My Bones

March 24. 2022 - April 08. 2022

March 24. 2022 - April 08. 2022

New Coproduction Fire Shut Up in My Bones

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New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow’s widely acclaimed memoir is the source for this extremely moving story of his traumatic youth in Louisiana. What an amazing collection of talent — composer Terence Blanchard, one of the most influential figures in American jazz; librettist Kasi Lemmons, director of such remarkable films as Harriet and Eve’s Bayou; and a topflight cast including many of America’s most brilliant singing actors. Fire Shut Up in My Bones is an opera for today, revealing the Black experience in this country as few other operas have done.

Fire Shut Up in My Bones addresses adult themes and contains some adult language.

  • Language: Performed in English with projected English texts
  • Running Time: Approximately 3 hours, including one 30-minute intermission
  • Location: Lyric Opera House

Lyric Opera streams

We are excited to offer on-demand streams of each of our operas as a back-up alternative to any individual who has purchased a ticket and does not attend in person.

Learn more about streaming

Pre-show video presentation

Join us one hour before the performance for a video presentation on the main stage featuring an interview with composer Terence Blanchard and star baritone Will Liverman. The video is also available to watch on-demand here.

Post-show programming

Join us after the show on March 27 when LaRob K. Rafael, WFMT on-air personality, leads a post-show discussion with members of the cast on the subject of Blackness in opera.

Videos

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Will Liverman performs "Peculiar Grace" from Blanchard's Fire Shut Up in My Bones

Based on the best-selling memoir by New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow, Fire Shut Up in My Bones follows young Charles, a boy of "peculiar grace," as he finds his place in the world and heals from childhood trauma. In this excerpt, Ryan Opera Center alumnus Will Liverman performs Charles's Act Two aria with Benjamin Preacely as Char’es-Baby.

"Leave it in the Road" from FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES

In this show-stopping scene from Act One of Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons's Fire Shut Up in My Bones, Billie (sung here by soprano Latonia Moore) imparts some important life lessons to her youngest son, Char'es-Baby (Benjamin Preacely) as his older self looks on (Will Liverman).

Will Liverman and Daniela Candillari on why FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES is a great first opera

In this excerpt from Mixing it Up, baritone Will Liverman and conductor Daniela Candillari discuss what makes Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons's Fire Shut Up in My Bones a great first opera.

Terence Blanchard and Will Liverman on Chicago premiere of FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES

The Choreography of Blanchard's FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES

In this video, associate choreographer Jay Staten discusses co-director and choreographer Camille A. Brown's vision for Fire Shut Up in My Bones. Step inside the rehearsal room to see why it's so important that this story be "told in Black" and see Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons's opera come to life onstage, March 24-April 8.

Articles

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By Graham Meyer

Seeing ourselves: new work at Lyric

“I believe opera is for everyone,” says Anthony Freud, Lyric’s General Director, President & CEO. “Lyric has an unswerving commitment to exploring the great works of the operatic repertoire, mining their power and relevance. But I understand that the heritage repertoire may not have obvious appeal to everyone. I want us to find and create new works that will both thrill the existing opera lover and intrigue and excite people who have never been in the building before.”
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Get to Know: Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones

Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons’s powerful Fire Shut Up in My Bones recieves its much-anticipated Chicago premiere this spring at Lyric. Learn more about this bold and affecting opera and see the stunning new co-production between Lyric, the Metropolitan Opera, and Los Angeles Opera come to life, March 24 through April 8.
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A timely story of struggle comes to life at Lyric

In March 2022, Lyric is proud to present Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons’s contemporary opera, Fire Shut Up in My Bones. The source for this extremely moving story is New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow’s widely acclaimed memoir about his traumatic upbringing in 1970’s Louisiana. Read the book, then see it come to life in an entirely new form, with the option to bring your book club for special savings and perks.
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Fire Shut Up in My Bones captivates opera audiences

As Lyric embraces many new-to-Chicago productions and premieres, Fire Shut Up in My Bones should catch the eyes of new and seasoned opera-goers. This coming-of-age story follows a boy of peculiar grace who does not quite fit in with his community. The production challenges audiences with contemporary topics of race, spirituality, and sexuality, musicality rooted in jazz, and stunning movement — distinguishing the piece from many traditional opera productions.
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By Naomi André

Blaze of glory

Fire Shut Up in My Bones is part of a much longer trajectory of operatic contributions by Black composers, librettists, singers, and collaborating artists. Learn more about Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons's gripping opera and the history it builds on in this article from noted scholar Naomi André.
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Moving moments of the 2021/22 Season

Missing opera season? We are too. With two Lyric premieres — Florencia en el Amazonas and Fire Shut Up in My Bones — as well as exciting new productions and role debuts, there were countless memorable moments both onstage and off. In order to tide us over until the fall, here are a few of our favorite highlights from the 2021/22 Season.
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Meet the artists

* Lyric debut
** Ryan Opera Center alumnus
*** Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Program book

Learn more about Fire Shut Up in My Bones with engaging articles, program notes, artist profiles, and more.

VIEW DIGITAL PROGRAM BOOK

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Lyric’s new co-production of Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones is generously made possible by

Anonymous Donor

Zell Family Foundation

The Harris Family Foundation

Lauter McDougal Charitable Fund

H. Gael Neeson

Ethel & William Gofen

Susan & Robert Morrison

Additional support is provided by The Joyce Foundation, Allstate and Conagra Brands Foundation.

 

Based on the book by Charles M. Blow.

A co-production of Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Metropolitan Opera, and LA Opera.

Commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera.

Originally commissioned by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, co-commissioned by Jazz Saint Louis.

Main photo: Kyle Flubacker
Production images: Eric Woolsey/Opera Theatre of St. Louis