Learning resources

Welcome to Lyric's learning resources!

This is your all-access pass to the world of opera and musical theater. Below you will find engaging information for some of the world's most beloved operas and musicals. Learn about each work's story, creators, history, and some musical highlights to listen for when you watch with these productions! 

Tesori/Thompson

Blue

Blue

Destined to become an American classic, Blue is a moving story of a Black middle-class family in Harlem whose hopes and dreams for their teenage son are shattered after he is shot by a white police officer. 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro

Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro is a funny and exciting story about servants Figaro and Susanna outsmarting their boss, Count Almaviva, with help from the Count's wife and a mischievous pageboy, Cherubino. This fast-paced opera is full of clever tricks, humor, and surprising twists.

Beethoven

Fidelio

Fidelio

Fidelio tells the triumphant story of Leonore, a brave woman who disguises herself as a man to rescue her husband, Florestan, after he is unjustly imprisoned. Through her courage and determination, she exposes a corrupt prison governor, freeing her husband and other prisoners. 

Verdi

Rigoletto

Rigoletto

A court jester’s words create trouble for himself and his love-struck daughter.

Terence Blanchard

Champion

Champion

Champion is the first opera by composer Terence Blanchard, which tells the true story of welterweight boxer Emile Griffith. The opera explores the complex realities of Griffith's life: decades-long guilt from defeating a challenger in the ring, who died from Griffith’s blows; and desperately conflicted feelings regarding his own sexuality.

Rossini

Cinderella

Cinderella

Based on the classic fairy tale, Rossini's Cinderella follows Angelina's rags-to-riches story through love, magic, and a humorous series of events involving a prince, a lost bracelet, and a charming disguise.

Verdi

Aida

Aida

Aida is a dramatic tale of forbidden love between Aida, a captive princess, and Radamès, a valiant military commander, amidst political turmoil. As emotions are tested, each character navigates a gripping story of passion, sacrifice, and the clash of nations. 

Donizetti

Daughter of the Regiment

Daughter of the Regiment

Daughter of the Regiment is a lively opera about Marie, a spirited girl raised by soldiers, her love for Tonio, and the humorous twists of fate.

Bizet

Carmen

Carmen

The immortal tale of the restless, free-spirited heroine and Don José, the soldier who's drawn to her in a truly "fatal attraction," Carmen has long been one of the world's favorite operas.

Will Liverman, DJ King Rico & Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj

The Factotum

The Factotum

The Factotum is a new work inspired by Rossini's The Barber of Seville. 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. The Factotum blends diverse musical styles with boundless imagination to create a soul opera, moving from gospel and funk to rap, hip-hop, classic barbershop quartet, and R&B. 

Humperdinck

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

This inventive view of the Brothers Grimm's fairytale features an eye-popping production that does full justice to Humperdinck's glorious score. You'll be rooting for Hansel and Gretel at every moment in their battle against the witch.

Rossini

The Barber of Seville

The Barber of Seville

Sparks fly between the witty Rosina and hopeless romantic Count Almaviva, but Rosina is betrothed to her pompous old guardian. Enter matchmaker Figaro: the cleverest barber in all of Seville whose talents go far beyond cutting hair!

Puccini

La bohème

La bohème

A group of young artists and friends struggling to make ends meet experience love and loss in romantic 19th-century Paris.

Massenet

Cendrillon

Cendrillon

Enter a world of fantasy where a mistreated girl becomes a princess with the help of her fairy godmother. Massenet's Cendrillon is the French version of the familiar fairytale, Cinderella. 

Mozart

Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni


Mozart’s legendary drama about a womanizer who lives only for his own pleasure — and is hair-raisingly punished in the end.

Strauss

Elektra

Elektra

After her father, King Agamemnon, was murdered by her mother, Elektra wants vengeance.

Gounod

Faust

Faust

An aging philosopher sells his soul in hopes of youth and love. Is this bargain worth the price?

Verdi

Luisa Miller

Luisa Miller

A star-crossed romance by the composer of La Traviata and Rigoletto about sweet Luisa and her love for Rodolfo, the son of a ruthless, unethical nobleman whom Luisa’s own father loathes.

Puccini

Madama Butterfly

Madama Butterfly

A heartbreaking story about Cio-Cio-San, who sacrifices family and culture to marry B.F. Pinkerton, only to see his ship sail away. We share her joy when he finally returns, and her utter despair when she realizes that he’s married an American woman and has come to take his young son—Cio-Cio-San’s child—back with him.

Mozart

The Magic Flute

The Magic Flute

Prince Tamino strives for the hand of Pamina, accompanied by his lovable sidekick Papageno. 

Gluck

Orphée et Eurydice

Orphée et Eurydice

Orpheus embarks on a perilous journey to the underworld to bring his wife back to life.

Tchaikovsky

The Queen of Spades

The Queen of Spades

A broodingly romantic thriller from the composer of Eugene Onegin and Swan Lake. Gherman is an unhappy soldier desperate to learn a secret hidden by a mysterious old countess: the mystery of winning at cards. As his obsession begins to overwhelm him, it also affects the ones he loves and leads to his ultimate demise.

Verdi

La traviata

La traviata

A desperately ill courtesan finds her true love, but sacrifices herself to save his reputation. A heart-wrenchingly beautiful story of love and redemption.

Verdi

Il trovatore

Il trovatore

This classic opera contains mistaken identity, love, curses, and anvils. What more could you ask for?

Puccini

Turandot

Turandot

A cruel princess gives three riddles to every prince who wants to marry her. All have failed, until now.

Lloyd Weber/Rice

Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar

This epic rock opera tells the story of the last days of Jesus Christ in a modern, dance-packed production.

Bernstein/Sondheim

West Side Story

West Side Story

Two teenagers from opposing New York City gangs fall in love. Watch this star-crossed romance unfold with unforgettable dance and music.

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Photos: Kyle Flubacker, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Todd Rosenberg, Cory Weaver