January 25, 2023
Co-creators Will Liverman and DJ King Rico are expanding the sonic bounds of contemporary American opera as they draw from various genres — including gospel, funk, rap, hip-hop, classic barbershop quartet, and R&B — to tell the story of The Factotum. This playlist features some of the music the two composers were listening to and inspired by as they wrote this new work.
February 03 - 12, 2023
Grammy-nominated baritone Will Liverman joins dynamic producer/DJ/multi-instrumentalist DJ King Rico in creating a new work inspired by Rossini's The Barber of Seville that has grown into a joyful, original piece all its own, commissioned by Lyric. Updating the action to a Black barbershop on Chicago's South Side, this gifted duo has created an irresistibly upbeat work that celebrates the strength of community.
Header photo: Co-creators Will Liverman (left) and DJ King Rico (right) at a workshop for The Factotum. Credit: Andrew Cioffi/Lyric Opera of Chicago