February 01. 2023
Upcoming Dates
February 01. 2023
World premiere The Factotum Dress Rehearsal
Grammy-nominated baritone Will Liverman, a Ryan Opera Center alumnus, is rapidly rising to national prominence and recently triumphed at the Metropolitan Opera. Now he joins dynamic producer/DJ/multi-instrumentalist King Rico in creating a new work inspired by Rossini's The Barber of Seville that has grown into a joyful, original piece all its own, commissioned by Lyric. 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. Those styles connect brilliantly with classical singing in a very human comedy that redefines everything that opera can be.
Casting will be announced later in 2022.
- Language: Sung in English with projected English titles
- Location: Harris Theater
Meet the artists
-
Will Liverman **
Co-Creator & Mike
-
DJ King Rico *
Co-Creator
-
Kedrick Armstrong *
Conductor
-
Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj *
Co-Book Writer, Director, Dramaturg
* Lyric debut
Lyric’s world premiere of The Factotum is generously made possible by
Ford Foundation
Roberta L. & Robert J. Washlow
John R. and Grace K. Stanek Charitable Fund
Gene & Jean Stark
Bill & Orli Staley Foundation
Additional support is provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago's Production Circle