American Opera Company News

North Carolina Opera's Artistic & Music Director Timothy Myers is stepping down from his post at the end of September.

Through Lyric's groundbreaking Chicago Voices initiative, the music of Chicago past and present will be in the spotlight in a star-studded weekend of vocal artistry! During the weekend of February 2 - 4, Lyric will present a series of Expert Panels and Master Classes in conjunction with the Chicago Voices Concert, a one-night only, multi-genre concert celebrating Chicago's diverse vocal music heritage with performances by iconic Chicago singers.

Lyric Opera announced today that world-renowned jazz vocalist and composer Kurt Elling, along with Grammy Award-winning rapper and record producer Lupe Fiasco, have joined the star-studded lineup of performers who will come together for the biggest night in Chicago music.

Following the successful, sold-out run of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, New York City Opera continues its 2016 - 2017 Concert Series with Oh, Happy Us, a romantic evening of song that reunites Candide stars Jay Armstrong Johnson (Candide), Meghan Picerno (Cunegonde), and Jessica Tyler Wright (Paquette). Legendary choreographer of stage and film, Patricia Birch directs this concert of selections from classic and contemporary musical theater that explores continuity in love and life. This one-night-only performance will take place on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Appel Room.

Lyric Opera announced today that Kate Flannery (NBC's The Office), Terrence Howard and Jussie Smollett (both from FOX's Empire), and The Voices of Trinity Mass Choir are joining the Chicago Voices Concert line-up. Flannery, Howard, and Smollett will serve as special guest presenters, while The Voices of Trinity Mass Choir will perform in the celebratory event that pays tribute to the city's diverse vocal heritage. The one-night only concert takes place February 4, at 7:30pm at Lyric's Civic Opera House.

Lyric Opera announced today that Kate Flannery (NBC's The Office), Terrence Howard and Jussie Smollett (both from FOX's Empire), and The Voices of Trinity Mass Choir are joining the Chicago Voices Concert line-up.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents an unforgettable romantic tragedy about unrequited love and its unintended consequences. Tchaikovsky's glorious music plus Pushkin's poetic tale come alive in a beautiful production with a terrific international cast. Eugene Onegin is a musical wonder and revelation, especially for those familiar only with his Nutcracker ballet.

 Lyric Opera of Chicago will hold auditions in March 2017 for experienced, classically trained singers who are seeking professional positions in the company's choral ensemble for the 2017-18 season.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents the thrilling story of a deadly love triangle set to Georges Bizet's most vivid and exciting music. No wonder it's so popular! Carmen heats up this winter in a new Lyric coproduction with two smoking-hot casts.

Through Lyric's groundbreaking Chicago Voices initiative, the music of Chicago past and present will be in the spotlight in a star-studded weekend of vocal artistry! During the weekend of February 2 - 4, Lyric will present a series of Expert Panels and Master Classes in conjunction with the Chicago Voices Concert, a one-night only, multi-genre concert celebrating Chicago's diverse vocal music heritage with performances by iconic Chicago singers.

Last year through Lyric Unlimited's groundbreaking Chicago Voices initiative, three incredibly unique groups were selected for a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience to bring their community's stories to life through song. Now, Lyric is excited to announce the second round of Community Created Performances! Groups of Chicagoans are invited to share their untold, compelling stories that may not typically appear in the paper or in mainstream media. Applications for Community Created Performances are now available at chicagovoices.org and will be accepted through Friday, January 27.

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced today that film star Richard E. Grant and Broadway standout Lisa O'Hare will star as Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle in Lyric Opera's grand-scale production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's My Fair Lady, April 28-May 21, 2017 (press opening April 29).

Lyric Opera announced today that Tony Award-winning Broadway star Jessie Mueller and gospel and R&B sensation Michelle Williams will join the line-up of performers slated for the Chicago Voices Gala Concert, a special, one-night-only concert on Saturday, February 4, at 7:30pm at Lyric's Civic Opera House.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents an all-new production of Mozart's The Magic Flute just in time for the holidays, December 10, 2016 - January 27, 2017.

New York City Opera continues its 2016 - 17 season on November 17, 18, 19 and 20, 2016 with the New York premiere of Tobin Stokes and Heather Raffo's Fallujah, the first opera written about the Iraq War experience.

Anthony Freud, Lyric's general director, president & CEO, announced today that French mezzo-soprano Sophie Koch has withdrawn from the company premiere of Berlioz's Les Troyens for personal reasons. Stepping into the role of Dido will be American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, world-renowned as an interpreter of French repertoire, in general, with a special emphasis on the music of Berlioz.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents the delightful and touching tale ofDon Quichotte by French Romantic composer Jules Massenet in a new-to-Chicago production, opening Saturday, November 19. Lyric will offer six performances throughDecember 7. Performance dates are November 19 and 28, and December 1 and 7 at 7:30pm; and November 23 and December 4 at 2:00pm. Performances are in French with English subtitles at Lyric's Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $34 and are available now at lyricopera.org/Quichotte or at 312-827-5600.

Lyric Opera of Chicago today announced that, at its meeting earlier today, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to renew acclaimed general director Anthony Freud's five year contract. Mr. Freud will continue to lead the organization as general director through the 2020/21 season.

New York City Opera continues its 2016 - 17 season on November 17, 18, 19 and 20, 2016 with the New York premiere of Tobin Stokes and Heather Raffo's Fallujah, the first opera written about the Iraq War experience.

After opening with a critically acclaimed new double-bill production of Rachmaninoff's Aleko and Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, New York City Opera's 2016-17 season continues with Pasion Latina. A 90-minute concert celebrating and honoring the diverse musical traditions of Latin America, Pasion Latina continues City Opera's commitment to engaging New York's Spanish-speaking community.