An American Dream
March 15. 2019 - March 17. 2019
Upcoming Dates
March 15. 2019 - March 17. 2019
Lyric Premiere & New Production An American Dream
Treasured possessions become symbols of home in this contemporary opera inspired by true stories from American history.
Set during World War II, this opera explores the lives of two women: a Japanese American forced to leave her home, and a German-Jewish immigrant preoccupied by those she left behind. In its Seattle Opera world premiere, it was called “a heart-wrenching opera… eloquent and moving” by The Seattle Times. Join us for the Lyric premiere of a contemporary American chamber opera.
A free, pre-opera talk will begin one hour before curtain, and the audience is invited to a post-performance discussion. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view images on loan from the Alphawood Foundation from the 2017 exhibition Then They Came for Me: Incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Images will be on display in the lobby spaces for performances.
- Language: Sung in English with projected English text
- Location: Harris Theater, 205 E Randolph Street, Chicago
An American Dream videos
An American Dream
Music by Jack Perla
Libretto by Jessica Murphy Moo
Music for An American Dream is generously provided by Seattle Opera.
Every Home Hides a Secret
Don't you Recognize me
An American Dream articles
An American Dream: A Small Scale Opera with a Big Message
When Lyric Unlimited presents An American Dream audiences will experience our continued dedication to programming contemporary small scale operas with strong social messages and content relevant to today's audiences.
History, Family, and Possessions Explored in An American Dream
The powerful new opera examines a dark part of human nature and America's past.
Synopsis
Program book
Go inside this production of An American Dream with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.
Meet The Artists
* Lyric Opera debut
** Ryan Opera Center alumna
*** Current Member, Ryan Opera Center
Public events
In conjunction with the upcoming performances of An American Dream, Lyric Unlimited is proud to partner with University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration and the Japanese American Service Committee to bring you free, public events created to offer you the opportunity to join conversations around topics brought up in An American Dream.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Un/Settled: A Panel Discussion
Un/Settled: A Panel Discussion
6:30-8pm
FREE
University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration
969 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Reminders of Home: An Interactive Storytelling Workshop
Reminders of Home: An Interactive Storytelling Workshop
1-3pm
FREE
Lyric Opera of Chicago, 40 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, in Room 550
Enter at stagedoor, near the corner of Washington and Wacker Drive
At the performance
At the performance
In addition to the opera and these free events, ticket holders can also enjoy a free pre-show talk about the opera and a post-show discussion at both performances. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view images on loan from the Alphawood Foundation from the 2017 exhibition Then They Came for Me: Incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Images will be on display in the lobby spaces for performances.
Lyric Unlimited premiere of Perla’s An American Dream generously made possible by
Lead sponsor
Cosponsors
With additional support from the Eisen Family Foundation and James R. Grimes.