March 16, 2020
Week of September 28: Lyric Commentaries for opera streaming and more
There's something for every music lover this week! This lineup of streaming begins on a high note with Hearing in Color's "Good, Necessary Trouble," a virtual concert showcasing the role music plays in protesting injustice. Then, we'll experience a recital from Houston Grand Opera, featuring Lyric favorite Tamara Wilson. You can check out two different animations set to world-class music from The Glimmerglass Festival, and from a collaboration between Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Children's Theatre, narrated by First Lady of Chicago Amy Eshleman. Finally, we'll sit down and enjoy free streaming opportunities presented by The Metropolitan Opera, Opera Australia, and Lyric.
Lyric Opera Commentaries discuss the synopses, music, and some historical insights into the creation of the world's most beloved operas, and musical masterpieces you might never have experienced.
Explore Lyric Commentaries to make the most out of your opera streaming experience.
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Monday, September 28
Hearing in Color
"Good, Necessary Trouble"
Hearing in Color is a Chicago organization dedicated to exposing its community to underrepresented and diminished music, stories, and composers. Their first virtual concert, "Good, Necessary Trouble," highlights the role music plays in protests. This event features performances by Salena and Taalibah Muhammad of "To Music," Makeda Loney, Lyric chorister Cameo Humes, Tiana Sorenson, Amaiya Holley, John A. Bitoy III, and Leah Dexter, who was most recently seen in the 2018/19 Season's Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt. This stream will be available beginning Saturday, September 26 at 4pm through Monday, October 26.
Tuesday, September 29
Houston Grand Opera
Live from the Cullen: Tamara Wilson and Patrick Summers
This recital from Houston Grand Opera stars soprano Tamara Wilson (Leonora/ Il trovatore at Lyric 2018/19) accompanied by Artistic Director Patrick Summers, pianist. This stream will be available through October 18, 2020.
Wednesday, September 30
The Metropolitan Opera
Mozart: La Clemenza di Tito
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Lucy Crowe, Barbara Frittoli, Elīna Garanča, Kate Lindsey, Giuseppe Filianoti, and Oren Gradus, and was directed by Peter McClintock. La Clemenza di Tito was conducted by Harry Bicket on December 1, 2012. This opera stream will be available until Thursday, October 1 at 6:30pm.
Lyric Commentary from the 2013/14 Season is by Sir Andrew Davis in collaboration with Nicholas Ivor Martin.
La Clemenza di Tito
By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Commentary by Sir Andrew Davis in collaboration with Nicholas Ivor Martin
Thursday, October 1
The Glimmerglass Festival
Glimpse: The Fairies
The Glimmerglass Festival presents Glimpse: The Fairies, a fantasia on Wagner’s Die Feen, featuring soprano Alexandria Shiner and tenor Ian Koziara, with animations by S. Katy Tucker. The Fairies was directed by Francesca Zambello, conducted by Joseph Colaneri, and narrated by Lyric favorite Eric Owens.
Friday, October 2
The Metropolitan Opera
Mozart: Don Giovanni
This production from The Metropolitan Opera stars Marina Rebeka, Barbara Frittoli, Mojca Erdmann, Ramón Vargas, Mariusz Kwiecień, Luca Pisaroni, and Štefan Kocán, and was directed by Michael Grandage. Don Giovanni conducted by Fabio Luisi on October 29, 2011. This opera stream will be available until Saturday, October 3 at 6:30pm.
Lyric Commentary from the 2019/20 Season is by Martha Nussbaum.
Don Giovanni
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Commentary by Martha Nussbaum
Saturday, October 3
Opera Australia
Verdi: La traviata
This production from Opera Australia stars Emma Matthews, Gianluca Terranova, Jonathon Summers, and Margaret Plummer, and was directed by Francesca Zambello. La traviata was conducted by Brian Castles-Onion in 2012. This opera stream will be available indefinitely.
Lyric Commentary from the 2018/19 Season is by David Buch.
La traviata
by Giuseppe Verdi
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Commentary by David Buch
Sunday, October 4
Chicago Children's Theatre and Chicago Symphony Orchestra
My Magic Breath
A partnership between Chicago Children's Theatre and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, My Magic Breath combines animated storybook illustrations, solo musical performances by musicians from the CSO, and narration by First Lady of Chicago Amy Eshleman to help young children—along with their parents, caregivers, and teachers—harness the calming and restorative power of mindful breathing.
Based on the book of the same title by New York Times bestselling author Nick Ortner and Allison Taylor, illustrated by Michelle Polizzi, and with direction by Jacqueline Rusell and Jon Weber, My Magic Breath was specifically created for kids ages 4-8.
Learn More
Free streaming opportunities presented by Lyric Opera of Chicago
Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter
Tenor Lawrence Brownlee performs in Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: the Next Chapter, with Ryan Opera Center Music Director Craig Terry on piano.
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center presents Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter, a free virtual concert celebrating the depth and breadth of Black artistry. Hosted by world-renowned tenor Lawrence Brownlee, who also serves as artistic advisor for the event, the concert features prominent Ryan Opera Center alumni—soprano Whitney Morrison, mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges, and baritone Will Liverman—and three current 2020/21 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members—tenors Martin Luther Clark and Lunga Eric Hallam, and baritone Leroy Davis. Performances are accompanied by Craig Terry, the Grammy Award-winning music director of the Ryan Opera Center; and Chris Reynolds, current Ensemble pianist. Members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra make an appearance in a special selection, performing from their homes.
Visit our production page for program notes, artist biographies, and video conversations with the artists discussing their musical selections and why this concert is taking place. This stream will be available through January 26, 2021.
For the Love of Lyric
Renée Fleming starring in the virtual concert, For the Love of Lyric.
For the Love of Lyric's starry lineup is led by world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming and features special guests, including Tony Award® and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter-actress Heather Headley, sopranos Ailyn Pérez and Julia Bullock, mezzo-soprano and Ryan Opera Center alumna J'Nai Bridges, and bass Soloman Howard, with Doug Peck serving as music director. Members of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Ensemble and members of the Chicago Children's Choir also perform in this enlightening and entertaining program of familiar and revelatory selections from the worlds of opera, Broadway, popular music, and some surprising sources.
Visit our production page to listen to a special commentary from dramaturg Roger Pines as he delves into what to expect from this unique virtual concert. This stream will be available through December 13, 2020.