Lyric Music & More: November 17

One of the most impassioned and moving moments from Lawrence Brownlee & Friends: The Next Chapter was Will Liverman’s performance of “Two Black Churches.” Chicago-based composer Shawn E. Okpebholo wrote this work in two movements, based on two horrific acts of violence by white supremacists: the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama (1963) that killed four girls; and the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina (2015), that killed nine parishioners.

Liverman sang "with smoldering urgency" and "produced a shattering climax followed by hushed grief" (Chicago Tribune). This powerful segment is now available to watch on its own, and the entire concert can be streamed through December.

Plus, take an inside look at what is happening at Lyric this fall, get updates on new virtual programming, see how opera has found a new home on TikTok, watch conductor Marin Alsop break down band and orchestra scenes from popular movies and television, and check out new episodes of Breaking Down the Score and Master Classes with Sir Andrew Davis.

See what we’ve been up to

Though our stage might be dark, the Lyric staff has been as busy as ever. From the seating renovation project to master classes and launching a freshly-branded website, there is plenty of activity going on behind the scenes.

Find out

Virtual concerts and more

If you enjoyed For the Love of Lyric and Lawrence Brownlee & Friends: The Next Chapter, you’ll love these new virtual programs including a celebration of Spanish-language music from around the world starring Ana María Martínez and a virtual program of lesser-known songs by beloved Italian composers with Enrique Mazzola at the piano.

See the latest

The music director of the Baltimore Symphony breaks down orchestra scenes from movies & TV

Have you ever watched a scene in a TV show or movie where a character is conducting an orchestra, teaching a music class, or playing an instrument, and wondered how accurate their portrayal is? Conductor Marin Alsop breaks down some popular clips and shows us how realistic they really are.

Opera finds its way to the newest social media craze

Opera as an art form is constantly evolving, and that process has been accelerated this year, as so many of us are staying home and using technology to connect. See how the social media platform TikTok intersects with opera!

Get into it

Episode 3: Anthony Reed & Katherine Beck

Step behind the scenes as Music Director Sir Andrew Davis leads a series of one-on-one master classes focused on one of his favorite operas: Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro with members of the 2020/21 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble.

In this episode, hear second-year bass Anthony Reed as Bartolo and first-year mezzo-soprano Katherine Beck as Cherubino, accompanied by Chris Reynolds on piano.

Part 7: Duetto

In this scene, Foresto arrives in Attila’s camp and is stunned to find his fiancée, Odabella, smiling in the moonlight. He questions her loyalty as they speak over one another without truly listening. Verdi illustrates this with a stunning cadenza sung by Foresto in a sad minor key, and Odabella in a bright major key. Our heroine finally breaks through, explaining her plan to kill Attila, and the reunited couple launch into an emotional cabaletta.

Tune in each week and be the first to see new episodes by subscribing to Lyric's channel on YouTube.

Music brings a warm glow to my vision, thawing mind and muscle from their endless wintering.

Haruki Murakami