Lyric Opera of Chicago to Celebrate 100 Years of Bernstein with Kate Baldwin, Susan Graham, and Nathan Gunn

Lyric Opera of Chicago is joining hundreds of cultural institutions across the globe in honoring the 100th birthday of legendary American composer, conductor, pianist, and educator Leonard Bernstein.

Celebrating 100 Years of Bernstein will be presented at the Lyric Opera House next month on Saturday, March 10 at 7:30pm, and will feature two-time Tony-nominated Broadway singer and actressKate Baldwin, renowned international opera stars Susan Grahamand Nathan Gunn, and the Lyric Opera Orchestra under the baton of acclaimed conductor David Chase. Tickets begin at just $35 and are available now at lyricopera.org/Bernstein or by calling 312-827-5600.

The celebratory evening of music, which commemorates the larger-than-life musical genius, will begin with Bernstein's captivating one-act opera, Trouble in Tahiti. The lead roles of Dinah and Sam will be performed by Susan Graham and Nathan Gunn (both role debuts).Diana Newman, Josh Lovell, and Emmett O'Hanlon will comprise the Jazz Trio; all are ensemble members of Lyric's Patrick G and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center.

Kate Baldwin will join the other artists for the second half of the concert to perform beloved gems from Bernstein's extensive vocal catalog, including selections from West Side Story, Wonderful Town, Candide, White House Cantata, and Peter Pan.

Baldwin earned rave reviews at Lyric starring as Mrs. Anna Leonowens in Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I. She's currently appearing alongside Bernadette Peters as Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly!on Broadway. Graham, a Grammy-Award winning mezzo-soprano, has starred in eight roles at Lyric, most recently in the critically-acclaimed Lyric premieres of Berlioz's Les Troyens and The Damnation of Faust. Gunn, a world-renowned baritone and champion of American opera, song, and musical theater, has starred in seven Lyric Productions including company premieres of Billy Budd, Sweeney Todd, and Show Boat, plus The Pearl Fishers and The Barber of Seville.

The two-year global celebration of Bernstein's centennial birthday officially began on August 25, 2017, Bernstein's 99th birthday, and continues through his 100th year, until August 25, 2019. His many life achievements include triumphs on Broadway, in opera houses, and in every major concert hall in the world. Through his transformativeYoung People's Concerts, the nationally-televised series that brought classical music into the homes of families across the country, he inspired countless youth and aspiring musicians. Bernstein was recently honored posthumously with a musical tribute at the 60thAnnual Grammy Awards.

Celebrating 100 Years of Bernstein will include a 30-minute pre-concert talk featuring the evening's conductor David Chase beginning at 6:30pm. Tickets are available now at lyricopera.org/Bernstein or by calling 312-827-5600.

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