March 06, 2019
Join Us for Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park
A Free Feast for the Senses to End the Summer
Sad as we all are that summer’s ending, we’re thrilled that Lyric’s 62nd season is coming right up — and we know you are too!
The 16th Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park free concert will preview the new season and showcase several stars on Friday, September 9 at 7:30pm. It’s a fabulous final chance to bring out the picnic basket and enjoy a glorious outdoor performance, presented in cooperation with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Capacity crowds always pack the pavilion, Great Lawn, and surrounding areas of the park, so be sure to arrive early.
Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric’s music director, will conduct the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus and an array of outstanding soloists including soprano Ana María Martínez; mezzo-soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner; baritone Quinn Kelsey; bass-baritones Eric Owens and Samuel Youn; and basses Tobias Kehrer and Wilhelm Schwinghammer. Also performing will be current members of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center.
The program is packed with musical highlights from Carmen, The Magic Flute, Eugene Onegin, and Lucia di Lammermoor — all part of Lyric’s upcoming season — plus spectacular selections from other operas by Gounod, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, and Wagner. (Program subject to change.)
For those who can’t make it to downtown Chicago that evening, the Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park free concert will be aired live on 98.7WFMT and live-streamed on wfmt.com. 98.7WFMT program host Lisa Flynn and Roger Pines, Lyric’s dramaturg, will co-anchor the concert broadcast beginning at 7:15pm, in their debut collaboration of the season.
There will be projected English translations for audience members in the Seating Bowl. Those seated on the Great Lawn or listening to the broadcast on wfmt.com around the world will have access to line-by-line translations in real time.
Members of the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America are scheduled to perform a pre-concert set between 6:45 and 7:10 pm.
Lyric will post live updates via social media throughout the evening. Join the conversation by tagging your posts with #LyricStars on Facebook at facebook.com/lyricopera and on Twitter and Instagram at @LyricOpera.
Invite your friends and family to attend this free event and let others know you are attending with our Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park Facebook event.
A memorable evening of magnificent music awaits!