Lyric Music & More: October 20

Richard Strauss was known for his exceptional writing for the human voice, no doubt influenced by his wife, the operatic soprano Pauline de Ahna. It’s exciting to think of the music he might have written had he been able to work with one of the greatest sopranos of our time, Renée Fleming.

Thankfully, we don’t have to stretch our imaginations too far. In a performance of his song “Zueignung” (“Dedication”) from the virtual concert For the Love of Lyric, Fleming brims with emotion over the three verses, building to an incredible climax. Watch the clip, then experience the full concert.

Then, get to know tenor Lawrence Brownlee, watch an original visual art project from students in the Senn Arts program at Senn High School, see how Chicago-based soprano Janai Brugger landed on HBO, and fall in love with Baroque music.

A trailblazing tenor

Lyric shines a spotlight on an artist we love, tenor Lawrence Brownlee. A favorite on Lyric’s stage and the recent star of Lawrence Brownlee & Friends: The Next Chapter, Brownlee has already become a leader in the field, and he’s just getting started.

See Lawrence shine

An inspiring piece of art from young dancers and musicians

While quarantined in their respective homes, students of Senn High School worked together to create an original visual art project. Their creativity and determination is reflected in this uplifting message of music and dance. Senn High School is an ongoing partner of Lyric's High School Choir Residency program.

The Chicago-based soprano adds depth to drama

When composer Laura Karpman needed to write an operatic piece for the HBO show Lovecraft Country, she quickly thought of Lyric favorite and Chicago native Janai Brugger for the soprano part. See how the show used the dramatic power of opera to score a painful but important scene.

Read more

Bach, Handel, Purcell, and more

Musicians, writers, and directors from Manfred Honeck to Peter Sellars make their case for why you should love Baroque music.

Fall in love

Part 3: Scena e cavatina di Odabella

In part three of Breaking Down the Score, see how a recitative, aria, and cabaletta come together to form a scene as we are introduced to the opera’s heroine, Odabella.

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Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.

Lao Tzu