2021|22 Season videos

Learn more about the productions in our 2021/22  Season with exclusive artist interviews, backstage looks, musical highlights, and trailers. Watch videos from Macbeth, The Elixir of Love, The Magic Flute, Florencia en el Amazonas, Tosca, Fire Shut Up in My Bones, and Proving Up.

 

Macbeth videos

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Joshua Guerrero performs "Ah! la paterna mano" from Verdi's MACBETH

In this heart-wrenching aria, Macduff (performed here by tenor Joshua Guerrero in his Lyric debut) is wracked with guilt, when he is unable to save his wife and children from Macbeth's reign of terror. Despite his drive for vengeance, Macduff asks that God forgive Macbeth should he escape.

Act Three Witches' Sabbath from Verdi's Macbeth

In this spooky scene from Act Three of Verdi's Macbeth, the witches (performed here by members of the Lyric Opera Chorus) dance around a bubbling cauldron as they prepare for their sabbath. Soon after, Macbeth arrives with more questions about his future, quickly learning that he should be careful what he wishes for, when a series of dark apparitions appear.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Verdi's Macbeth

Experience the drama and excitement of Verdi's Macbeth. Director Sir David McVicar breathes new life into the Shakespearean tragedy with a thrilling new production starring Craig Colclough, Sondra Radvanovsky, Joshua Guerrero, Christian Van Horn, and more, along with the full power of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus led by Music Director Enrique Mazzola.

Sondra Radvanovsky & Christian Van Horn on Sir David McVicar's Macbeth

In this excerpt from our new conversation series "Mixing It Up," soprano Sondra Radvanovsky (Lady Macbeth) and bass-baritone Christian Van Horn (Banco) discuss the intensity and excitement around Lyric's new production of Verdi's Macbeth, directed by Sir David McVicar.

The Elixir of Love videos

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Mixing It Up with Ailyn Pérez and Kyle Ketelsen

Fall in love with THE ELIXIR OF LOVE stars Ailyn Pérez (Adina) and Kyle Ketelsen (Dulcamara) as they chat about their formative years  at Indiana University, performing at Lyric, why they love Donizetti, and more.

Charles Castronovo performs "Una furtiva lagrima" from Donizetti's The Elixir of Love

In this poignant aria, Nemorino (sung here by tenor Charles Castronovo) sings of the hope he feels in seeing Adina's single, secret tear (Ailyn Pérez) which proves her love for him.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Donizetti's The Elixir of Love

No operatic hero is more endearing than Nemorino, who pines for the flirtatious Adina. She’s the owner of the town’s hotel, he’s her delightfully naive waiter. His only hope to win her is the “elixir” sold by the quack, Dr. Dulcamara — little does he know that it’s just Bordeaux wine! From start to finish we root for Nemorino, as Adina toys with him until she finally lets him know how she really feels. Elixir is opera’s most heartwarming comedy, filled with Donizetti’s delectable music that brings nonstop smiles.

The Magic Flute videos

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Stage Magic in Lyric's production of The Magic Flute

Florencia en el Amazonas videos

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Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Catán's Florencia en el Amazonas

Lyric’s first Spanish-language work to be presented as part of the mainstage opera season, this story about a glamorous diva on a life-changing adventure on the Amazon is suffused by the entrancing allure of magical realism. Florencia Grimaldi, a renowned diva, is engaged to perform at the opera house of Manaus, Brazil. Traveling there by boat, she’s consumed by longing for her long-lost lover, who she hopes will be awaiting her. Florencia and her fellow passengers are all intensely memorable characters, and they’re illuminated by the magnificent, sumptuous romantic music created by a true musical genius — Mexico’s finest opera composer, Daniel Catán.

Ana María Martínez & Gabriella Reyes perform "¡Ya! ¡Quite esa cara!" from Florencia en el Amazonas

In this duet from Act Two of Daniel Catán's Florencia en el Amazonas, Florencia (Ana María Martínez) consoles Rosalba (Gabriella Reyes in her Lyric debut) after her notebook is damaged by the storm. The glamorous diva sees much of herself in the young writer, and advises her to embrace her feelings for Arcadio and use their love to inspire her work.

Ana María Martínez and Jordan de Souza on Florencia en el Amazonas

In this excerpt from "Mixing it Up," title soprano Ana María Martínez discusses Catán's Florencia en el Amazonas with conductor Jordan de Souza. Hear about their individual connections to the piece and see it onstage at Lyric.

Join us for a discussion of Daniel Catán's Florencia en el Amazonas

Join us on Thursday, November 4 at 6pm CT for a special discussion about Florencia en el Amazonas with musician, opera professional, and widow of composer Daniel Catán, Andrea Puente Catán, director Francesca Zambello, title soprano Ana María Martínez, conductor Jordan de Souza, and host Eddie Arruza. Chat with fellow opera lovers and be the first to experience the conversation by tuning in to the premiere on Lyric's Facebook or YouTube channels.

Tosca videos

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"Vissi d'arte" with Michelle Bradley

In this exquisite Act Two aria from Puccini's Tosca, the glamorous titular diva (sung here by soprano Michelle Bradley in her role debut) contemplates her fate. Forced to make a terrible bargain in order to save her lover's life, Floria Tosca asks God why he has abandoned her in her hour of need.

"Te Deum" with Fabián Veloz, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Driven by lust and power, the villainous police chief lays his trap for Tosca and her revolutionary lover in this rousing Act One finale. As his henchmen leave the church in pursuit of their prey, Scarpia (sung here by Fabián Veloz in his Lyric debut) revels in his nefarious plot.

 

Michelle Bradley and Louisa Muller on Puccini heroines

In this excerpt from Mixing it Up, soprano Michelle Bradley and director Louisa Muller discuss one of Puccini's fiercest heroines: Floria Tosca. Caught in the midst of an impossible situation, Tosca refuses to be a victim. This spring, Ms. Bradley makes her role and Lyric debut as the daring diva. 

Russell Thomas performs "E lucevan le stelle" from Puccini's Tosca

In this Act Three aria from Puccini’s Tosca, Mario Cavaradossi (sung here by tenor Russell Thomas) awaits his execution, reflecting on a perfect evening spent under the stars with his true love.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Puccini's TOSCA

A diva who has all of Rome at her feet. A woman who takes charge of her life and fights for what she wants. A heroine who is brave and loving, extravagantly emotional, yet utterly irresistible. Floria Tosca is all these things. She’s loved by Mario Cavaradossi, the revolutionary, and lusted after by Baron Scarpia, Rome’s vicious police chief. Puccini’s lushly grand-scale music illuminates these characters, and the entire opera bursts with a theatricality that makes TOSCA a favorite of audiences everywhere.

Michelle Bradley and Louisa Muller on what makes TOSCA special

We are *here* for the girl-power! In this snippet from our latest episode of "Mixing it Up," soprano Michelle Bradley and director Louisa Muller discuss embracing tradition, channeling Maria Callas, and the talented women at the helm of Lyric's TOSCA.

Fire Shut Up in My Bones 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.