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safronia
April 17. 2026 - April 18. 2026
Upcoming Dates
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April 17. 2026 - April 18. 2026
Tickets for safronia are currently sold out. Limited tickets may be available for walk-up purchase at the Box Office on show evenings. safronia
For two performances only, Lyric presents a world premiere musical work from Chicago’s first-ever poet laureate, the celebrated interdisciplinary artist avery r. young.
Triumph and tragedy converge in this universal yet personal story of the Great Migration. This Afro-surrealist tale is told through the eyes of the Booker family, who return from the northern U.S. to their Southern hometown after five years of banishment to bury their patriarch.
First conceived following young’s groundbreaking collaboration with Lyric around Twilight: Gods in 2021, safronia marries folklore, poetry, and history, with music inspired by gospel, blues, funk, and soul. This visually immersive, concert-style performance continues Lyric’s commitment to presenting art that reflects our city and our stories.
- Language: Sung in English with projected English titles
- Running Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes including 1 intermission
- Location: Lyric Opera House
- Composer and Librettist: avery r. young
- Director: Timothy Douglas
Sponsors
Lyric’s presentation of avery r. young’s safronia is generously made possible by the Pritzker Traubert Foundation and Lori Komisar and Morris Silverman.
Videos
Audio
safronia is an American story rooted in blues, gospel, and funk, bringing the Great Migration to the forefront with music by avery r. young.
Music from the safronia workshop. Musicians and artists represented by AGMA, CFM, and IATSE.
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Articles
What began in a parking garage during the pandemic becomes a world premiere on the Lyric stage this spring. See how avery r. young's first opera, "safronia," was born and experience the magic live April 17 and 18.
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By Timothy Douglas
"safronia" director Timothy Douglas discusses the development process of the new opera premiering at Lyric Opera this spring.
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By avery r. young
Renowned poet avery r. young shares how his new opera, "safronia" came to be in his own words. The piece makes its world premiere at Lyric Opera of Chicago on April 17 and 18.
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For two performances only, Lyric presents the world premiere of safronia, a new musical work by Chicago’s first Poet Laureate, avery r. young. Blending gospel, blues, funk, and soul with poetic storytelling, this Afro-surrealist meditation on the Great Migration comes to life through a dynamic cast whose work spans opera, Broadway, television, and Chicago’s music scene.
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Explore "The Art of Culture," an exhibit in the Grand Foyer and Mezzanine celebrating Japanese, Mexican, and African American cultural traditions through visual art. The exhibit deepens the connection to Lyric Opera of Chicago productions "Madama Butterfly," "El último sueño de Frida y Diego," and "safronia."
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At the midway point of the season, a look ahead at the bold mix of Lyric’s offerings
At the midway point of the season, a look ahead at the bold mix of Lyric’s offerings
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Drawing on Black folklore and poetic narrative, and rich with the musical lineages of gospel, blues, funk, and soul, avery r. young's "safronia" offers an Afro-surrealist meditation on family, memory, and the enduring imprint of the Great Migration on American life.
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In this blog, get to know interdisciplinary artist avery r. young, Chicago’s first-ever poet laureate and the creator of "safronia" — a new opera, premiering at Lyric Opera of Chicago in April 2026.
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March 14 through April 19
The Art of Culture
The Art of Culture
Explore The Art of Culture, an exhibit in the Grand Foyer and Mezzanine celebrating Japanese, Mexican, and African American cultural traditions through visual art. The exhibit deepens the connection to Lyric Opera of Chicago productions Madama Butterfly, El último sueño de Frida y Diego, and safronia, featuring works by Meredith Stein inspired by geisha culture, Mexican American artist Carina Yepez, and selections from Vanessa Charlot’s Down in the Delta. Arrive early to experience this special showcase that brings cultural history and contemporary artistry into conversation with the stories on stage. Helping to bring this exhibit to life, we are proud to partner with the Floating World Gallery.
Pre-opera talk
Speaker: Vanessa Charlot
Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.
Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.
Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.
A recorded version of the Pre-opera talk is available below.
© 2025/26 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
safronia COMMENTARY by Vanessa Charlot
Artists
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avery r. young
Composer/Librettist/baar booker
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Meagan McNeal *
safronia booker
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Maiesha McQueen *
magnolia booker
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Lorenzo Rush, Jr. *
king willie tate
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Jeff Parker
bossman
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Zachary James *
cholly
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Jessica Seals *
ensemble
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Bailey A. Champion *
ensemble
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Renelle Nicole *
ensemble
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Sydney Charles *
ensemble
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Miciah Lathan *
ensemble
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Kendal Marie Wilson *
ensemble
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Eric Andrew Lewis *
ensemble
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Maxel McLoud Schingen *
ensemble
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Paul Byssainthe, Jr. *
Conductor
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Timothy Douglas *
Director
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Jessica Jahn
Costume Designer
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Jason Lynch *
Lighting Designer
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Kia Smith *
Choreographer
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Stephanie Farina
Sound Designer
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VAM
Video Designer
Jason Lynch*
Lighting Designer
Sarah Riffle
Associate Lighting Designer
Lyric debut*
Program book
Go inside this production of safronia with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.
Credits
Chicago Casting by Becca McCracken, CSA and Celeste M. Cooper, Associate.
Photo credit: John Shaw/Lyric Opera of Chicago