2014|15 Season videos

Get an inside look at what's on stage at Lyric! Learn more about the operas, musicals, and other productions our 2014/15 season with exclusive artist interviews, backstage looks, musical highlights, and trailers. Watch videos from Don Giovanni, Capriccio, Il trovatore, Porgy and Bess, Anna Bolena, Tosca, Tannhäuser, The Passenger, Carousel, and more.

Don Giovanni videos

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Don Giovanni at Lyric Opera of Chicago

The original bad boy is back in Lyric's brand-new production of Mozart's Don Giovanni.

Mariusz Kwiecień on Don Giovanni at Lyric Opera of Chicago!

Mariusz Kwiecień, called "one of the world's best Don Giovannis" this week by the Chicago Sun-Times, talks about his insight into a character that has become a signature role for him. Kwiecień has sung the role over 18 times internationally and brings a fresh interpretation to the character in this new production from Director Robert Falls that has been called "bold, provocative, and hot-blooded" by the Chicago Tribune.

Meet the Characters of Don Giovanni

Take a quick look at the sexy and colorful cast of characters in Lyric's brand-new production of Don Giovanni.

Andrea Silvestrelli's transformation into The Commendatore for Don Giovanni

Watch as opera star, Andrea Silvestrelli is transformed before your eyes into The Commendatore for Lyric's new production of Don Giovanni.

Don Giovanni at Lyric: Meet the Design Team

Get an inside look into Lyric's brand-new production of Mozart's Don Giovanni. Stage director Robert Falls, set designer Walt Spangler, costume designer Ana Kuzmanic, and lighting designer Duane Schuler take you into the creative process for this exciting new production.

Director Robert Falls discusses Lyric's new production of Don Giovanni

Robert Falls talks about his role in creating a new Lyric production that updates this blockbuster opera from an 18th-century period piece to a more modern 20th-century setting and shares why this is the perfect opera for today's contemporary audiences.

Capriccio videos

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Capricco at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Renée Fleming stars in Strauss's Capricco at Lyric.

Sir Andrew Davis on Capricco

Lyric's music director Sir Andrew Davis talks about his special relationship with Strauss's Capriccio.

Renée Fleming on Capricco

Renée Fleming talks about starring as the Countess in Strauss's Capriccio, which is one of her signature roles.

Il trovatore videos

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See what the critics are saying about Il trovatore at Lyric Opera

Emotions boil in Verdi's blockbuster, action-packed story that includes babies switched at birth, kidnapping, mistaken identity, poisoning, civil strife, witches burned at the stake, and a noblewoman who offers herself to a man she hates, to save the man she loves.

Il trovatore Abridged

Soprano Amber Wagner and Baritone Quinn Kelsey give their abridged versions of Il trovatore.

Porgy and Bess videos

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See what the critics are saying about Porgy and Bess at Lyric Opera

Porgy and Bess is the great American opera — bursting with iconic songs that have moved easily into the worlds of jazz and pop, becoming hits again for generation after generation.

An invitation from the cast of Porgy and Bess

Porgy and Bess cast members Eric Owens (Porgy), Adina Aaron (Bess), Eric Greene (Crowne), Jermaine Smith (Sportin' Life), Gwendolyn Brown (Maria), and Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi (Clara) give you a whole lot of reasons to visit them at Catfish Row.

Crowne and Robbins's fight from Porgy and Bess

Get a behind the scenes look into the fight that starts the drama in Porgy and Bess.

Eric Owens on Porgy and Bess

Eric Owens talks about his excitement to be joining Lyric for its Diamond Anniversary season and Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.

Anna Bolena videos

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Director Kevin Newbury on Anna Bolena

Hear acclaimed director, Kevin Newbury talk about what makes this Donizetti bel canto opera so thrilling.

See what critics are saying about Anna Bolena at Lyric Opera

Donizetti exploits all of the glories of the human voice in this bel canto gem and trail-blazes with a theatricality that hadn't been seen in opera before. Listen to vocal fireworks and watch one of opera's most gripping confrontations: the Queen rages when she finally discovers that Jane is her arch rival, and Jane is haunted by guilt — desperate to marry the King, yet knowing that she's the reason he'll send Anne to the scaffold.

Tosca videos

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Puccini's Tosca at Lyric Opera of Chicago

A fiery diva, the rebel artist who claims her heart, and the sadistic police chief before whom all Rome trembles — for more than a hundred years, audiences have watched and listened spellbound as the cat-and-mouse game between Tosca and Scarpia plays to its deadly conclusion. Will she submit to his lust to save her lover from the firing squad?

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Tosca (TV Spot)

A fiery diva, the rebel artist who claims her heart, and the sadistic police chief before whom all Rome trembles — for more than a hundred years, audiences have watched and listened spellbound as the cat-and-mouse game between Tosca and Scarpia plays to its deadly conclusion. Will she submit to his lust to save her lover from the firing squad? 

Tenor Brian Jagde and his adorable dog Cav (Cavaradossi!) invite you to see Lyric's Tosca

Tenor Brian Jagde and his adorable dog Cav (named after Cavaradossi!) invite you to see Lyric's new production of Tosca. 

Patter Up! 60 Seconds with Brian Jagde

Tenor Brian Jagde, who makes his Lyric debut as Cavaradossi in Tosca, talks cocktails, sings karaoke, and introduces his adorable dog Cav.

Tannhäuser videos

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See what critics are saying about Tannhäuser at Lyric Opera

Tannhäuser, minstrel, and renegade, is lured into the erotic realm of the love goddess Venus. There he luxuriates in lust and a host of sinful pleasures. But finally, it's all too much. He longs to return home, and does — to friends, rules of Christian conduct, and most of all, to Elisabeth, the warm but chaste young woman who loves him, despite the grief he's caused.

The Passenger videos

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See what critics are saying about The Passenger at Lyric Opera

Aboard an ocean liner in the early 1960s, a West German diplomat, Walter, and his wife Liese are bound for a new posting in Brazil. But unbeknownst to her husband, Liese served as an SS officer in Auschwitz. Haunted by her past, she is stunned when she thinks she recognizes a fellow passenger; is it really Marta, her former prisoner?

Amanda Majeski discusses The Passenger

Amanda Majeski (Marta) discusses what she loves so much about this character and the newly discovered opera.

Invitation from David Pountney, director of The Passenger

David Pountney, director of The Passenger, invites you to come and experience this powerful and haunting work by Mieczysław Weinberg.

Carousel videos

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See what critics are saying about Carousel at Lyric Opera

Swaggering, carefree carnival barker, Billy Bigelow, captivates and marries the naive millworker, Julie Jordan. But all too soon, they fall on hard times and unbearable loss. Yet the power of love perseveres, as do the tuneful hits, in this masterpiece of American musical theater. You’ll hear “If I Loved You,” “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over,” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” all set against the backdrop of an original new production from Lyric Opera.

Excerpt from Lyric's Carousel (Soliloquy)

Swaggering, carefree carnival barker, Billy Bigelow, captivates and marries the naive millworker, Julie Jordan. But all too soon, they fall on hard times and unbearable loss. Yet the power of love perseveres, as do the tuneful hits, in this masterpiece of American musical theater. You’ll hear “If I Loved You,” “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over,” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” all set against the backdrop of an original new production from Lyric Opera.

Carousel's Jarrod Emick sings the National Anthem at Chicago Cubs game

Jarrod Emick, currently featured as "no-good whaler" Jigger Carigin in Lyric Opera's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel sings the National Anthem at the April 14 Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

Hear what audiences are saying about Carousel

Audiences of all ages are raving about Lyric's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical Carousel!

Round and Round with Rob Ashford: An inside look at Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel

In this installment, Director Rob Ashford, talks about the history of what it took to make Carousel and why it is so important to tell this wonderful story.

Round and Round with Rob Ashford: An inside look at Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel-Part 2

In this installment, Director Rob Ashford, talks about the finding the hope in Carousel and what it is going to take to tell that side of the story.

An invitation from the cast of Carousel

Carousel cast members Steven Pasquale (Billy Bigelow), Laura Osnes (Julie Jordan), Jenn Gambatese (Carrie Pipperidge), Matthew Hydzik (Enoch Snow), Denyce Graves (Nettie Fowler), Jarred Emick (Jigger Craigin), Charlotte d'Amboise (Mrs. Mullin) and Tony Roberts (Starkeeper) give you a whole lot of reasons to visit them for a New England clambake.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Swaggering, carefree carnival barker, Billy Bigelow, (Steven Pasquale) captivates and marries the naive millworker, Julie Jordan (Laura Osnes). But all too soon, they fall on hard times and unbearable loss. Yet the power of love perseveres, as do the tuneful hits, in this masterpiece of American musical theater.

The Property videos

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The making of The Property

Go inside the making of the new klezmer opera The Property with rehearsal footage and commentary from composer Wlad Marhulets.

Meet the composer of The Property

Hear from the composer of the brand-new klezmer opera, The Property, Wlad Marhulets. Based on the graphic novel by Rutu Modan.

El Pasado Nunca Se Termina videos

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Sneak preview of El Pasado Nunca Se Termina

See a few moments from the world-premiere mariachi opera El Pasado Nunca Se Termina.

Abigail Santos Villalobos le invita a El Pasado Nunca Se Termina

Abigail Santos Villalobos invites you to El Pasado Nunca Se Termina

 
 

Abigail Santos Villalobos talks about El Pasado Nunca Se Termina

Abigail Santos Villalobos, Amorita in El Pasado Nunca Se Termina, explains what she loves about her character and this truly unique opera.

Meet the artists for El Pasado Nunca Se Termina, the world-premiere mariachi opera

Meet the artists for the world premiere of the mariachi opera El Pasado Nunca Se Termina, presented by Lyric Unlimited.

Photo: Robert Kusel (Tannhäuser)