Single Tickets on Sale Next Month for Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2017-18 Season

Single tickets go on sale Monday, July 10 at 10am for Lyric Opera of Chicago's 63rd season.

This season, which opens on Saturday, September 23, offers tremendous stories set to glorious music and performed by outstanding casts. There will be three brand-new productions - including an eagerly anticipated first-time collaboration with The Joffrey Ballet - and four new-to-Chicago productions: three at the Lyric Opera House and one at the Athenaeum Theatre.

"Lyric's new season offers a wonderful range of musical and dramatic styles, and an exceptional roster of internationally acclaimed artists," said the company's general director, Anthony Freud. "Musically, dramatically, choreographically, and visually, the season will offer abundant rewards for longtime opera lovers and newcomers alike. Every opera tells an unforgettable story in its own unique way - through beautiful music combined with compelling acting and movement. It's a truly singular experience."

The week of July 10 "will be the best time to secure tickets for individual productions in Lyric's extraordinary season," Freud added.

English translations on a screen above the stage for every opera make it easy for everyone to follow the stories of love lost and found, illicit passion and retribution, mistaken identities, family battles, royal riddles, romantic triangles, the pursuit of perpetual youth, and more. Here's what awaits audiences in Lyric's opera season.

Orphée et Eurydice: A sudden tragedy robs newlyweds of their happiness. What will it take to recapture love? Who should see it: Dance aficionados, anyone who likes the music of Gluck, Haydn, Mozart, and Handel; hopeless romantics, fans of ancient Greek mythology.

Rigoletto: A widowed father fiercely protects his teenage daughter, not realizing she has a secret boyfriend - his boss in disguise. Who should see it: Opera newcomers, fans of Victor Hugo (who wrote Les Misérables, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the novel on which this opera is based, Le roi s'amuse), fans of Verdi's other operas, lovers of great hummable melodies, teens and their parents.

Die Walküre: The most famous installment of Wagner's epic Ring delves into complex relationships between gods and mortals, siblings, spouses, father and daughters, and more. Plus, there's nothing better than hearing the thrilling "Ride of the Valkyries" performed live and in context vs. in a Doritos commercial. Who should see it: fans of The Lord of the Rings, Wonder Woman, Norse mythology, comic books, Bugs Bunny, epic storytelling, majestic and passionate music, immersive experiences.

The Pearl Fishers: Best friends fall in love with a beautiful priestess and vow to hold their friendship sacred in a famously beautiful duet. One breaks his promise, and all struggle with the consequences. High drama and gorgeous music will sweep you away. Who should see it: Fans of Carmen (which Bizet wrote 12 years later), opera newcomers, anyone who loves beautiful melodies and romantic tragedies.

Turandot: How do you guard against the terrors of love? Execute your suitors if they can't answer your riddles! That's what Princess Turandot does until Prince Calaf breaks the code and challenges her to guess his name. In the super-famous "Nessun dorma" he exults at his expected romantic triumph. Who should see it: lovers of spectacle and luscious music, newcomers to opera, fans of Puccini's other operas.

I Puritani: A wedding in the midst of a civil war is interrupted when the groom has to rescue the imprisoned queen and uses his bride's veil to disguise the monarch for escape. Confusion and madness ensue, but eventually all ends well and the couple happily reunites. Who should see it: Fans of Shakespeare, historical drama, vocal thrill-seekers who love high-flying and acrobatic bel canto singing.

Così fan tutte: This bittersweet relationship comedy has a cynical philosopher betting two young men that their sweethearts - a pair of lovely sisters - can't stay faithful for 24 hours. Departing as if for war and returning in disguise, the guys test their ladies' resolves and confront some uncomfortable truths in the process. Who should see it: Anyone who's dating or married, rom-com fans, lovers of Mozart's music.

Faust: What would you give to be young again? Faust sells his soul for a second chance at youth, wrecking the lives of lovely Marguerite and her brother Valentin in the process. Who should see it: newcomers to opera, fans of classic literature and romantic French music, the visually adventurous.

Fellow Travelers: Forbidden love in a time of rampant political persecution and paranoia is the subject this critically acclaimed 2016 opera. Who should see it: Fans of powerful plays on contemporary themes, anyone interested in mid-20th-century history and how McCarthy-era prejudice impacted American lives, Baroque music fans (composer Gregory Spears's music evokes Baroque styling), and audiences interested in LGBTQ stories.

Lyric's music director Sir Andrew Davis will conduct three operas: Die Walküre, The Pearl Fishers, and Turandot.

Here's what awaits audiences for Lyric's annual musical and special-event performances:

Jesus Christ Superstar: The seminal rock opera explores the personal and public struggles of Jesus Christ and his disciple, Judas Iscariot.

Piotr Becza?a in Recital: The Polish tenor is acclaimed for his glorious sound and ardent romanticism - expect a wide range of thrilling operatic arias and art songs in a warm and passionate performance.

Celebrating 100 Years of Bernstein: Costars Susan Graham and Nathan Gunn will spar in Leonard Bernstein's delightful one-act opera, Trouble in Tahiti, and will join Broadway star Kate Baldwin (familiar to Lyric audiences as Anna in The King and I) to perform beloved songs and some rarer gems from the composer's extensive vocal catalog.

Tickets are already on sale for the Broadway at Lyric performances of Jesus Christ Superstar and for the Celebrating 100 Years of Bernstein concert. Tickets to the recital by Piotr Becza?a and tickets for the chamber opera Fellow Travelers will go on sale July 10.

Visit lyricopera.org or call 312-827-5600 to arrange your Lyric experience. You can also visit the ticket office on the 8th floor of the Civic Opera Building, 20 N. Wacker Dr., during business hours, 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, for in-person service.

Purchase tickets starting July 10 for the best seat selection and the widest choice of performance dates. Single tickets for all opera performances at the Lyric Opera House start at $35/upper balcony and $99/main floor. Special children's ticket prices of $20-50 are available for all operas with the purchase of adult tickets (must be ordered by phone).

Additionally: Tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar start at $22; Tickets for Fellow Travelers (at the Athenaeum Theatre) start at $29; Tickets for Piotr Becza?a Recital start at $35; and Tickets for Celebrating 100 Years of Bernstein start at $35.

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