Anthony Freud News

Anthony Freud, Lyric Opera of Chicago's general director, president & CEO, announced today that American bass-baritone Eric Owens has withdrawn from Lyric's upcoming Ring cycles in order to undergo treatment for ongoing health issues.

A season filled with thrilling music, captivating stories, world-class singers, and exciting productions goes on sale by subscription Thursday, February 13. Eight new-to-Chicago productions, including three Lyric premieres plus two original Lyric productions, will entertain and thrill audiences from September 2020 through June 2021.

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago will present Rising Stars in Concert on Sunday, January 19, 2020, at 2 pm at the Lyric Opera House. Due to the structure of the 2019|20 season and the Ring cycle schedule in April, the annual Rising Stars in Concert will be held earlier than in past seasons.

The legendary bass-baritone returns to Chicago for his first performance at Lyric in nearly 15 years. Previously acclaimed here for his portrayals of Sweeney Todd, Don Giovanni, Leporello, and Falstaff, among others, the Welsh singer is also a successful recitalist of international renown. His russety and resonant voice, piercing interpretive insight, and demonstrative personality will make for an unforgettable experience.

As the architecturally significant and majestic home of Lyric Opera of Chicago marks its 90th anniversary this week, Lyric's president, general director & CEO, Anthony Freud, announced that the company plans to undertake one of the most ambitious improvement projects in its history. Over the summer of 2020, Lyric's Ardis Krainik Theatre will undergo a significant renovation and improvement project that will include replacement of all of the theater's seats, a restructuring of the sightlines on the main floor of the house, and greatly enhanced accessibility and overall guest experience.

Lyric Opera of Chicago continues the 2019/20 season with a revival of its original, provocative Don Giovanni, marking the return of Tony Award-winning Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls. Set in 1920s Spain, Falls' 'jazz age' Don Giovanni is riveting and bold and won enthusiastic acclaim when it opened Lyric's 60th anniversary season in 2014.

As general director, president & CEO Anthony Freud announced today, big changes are underway at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Acclaimed and beloved music director Sir Andrew Davis plans to conclude his two-decade-long tenure at the end of the 2020|21 season. Eminent Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola has been named as Lyric's music director designate, effective immediately, and will become Lyric's music director beginning with the 2021|22 season. As Davis continues his substantial responsibilities while overseeing the transition, Mazzola looks forward to his role in leading Lyric through the next, dynamic chapter of the iconic company's journey.

Acclaimed Broadway performer Corey Cott and rising star Mikaela Bennett will headline Lyric Opera of Chicago's premiere of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's groundbreaking American musical West Side Story, presented from May 3 - June 2, 2019 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago (press opening May 4, 2019).

Tickets for Lyric Opera of Chicago's enthralling new production of Richard Wagner's epic Der Ring des Nibelungen are now on sale. 

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago will present its annual Rising Stars in Concert program on Sunday, April 7, at 2 pm at the Lyric Opera House.

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced today that audiences are now able to purchase single tickets to Lyric's premiere of the Broadway classic and new-to-Chicago production of 42nd Street.

With plot twists worthy of Shakespeare, the love between Princess Ginevra and the noble Ariodante is threatened by the machinations of Polinesso, who lusts after the princess and will stop at nothing to sabotage the royal wedding.

A season filled with unforgettable music, riveting stories, thrilling singers from around the world, and stirring productions goes on sale by subscription Friday, January 25, at 10am. Six new and new-to-Chicago productions including three Lyric premieres and three performances of the Ring cycle will engage and entertain audiences from late September 2019 through June 2020.

Acclaimed Broadway performer Corey Cott and rising star Mikaela Bennett will headline Lyric Opera of Chicago's premiere of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's groundbreaking American musical West Side Story, presented from May 3 - June 2, 2019 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago (press opening May 4, 2019).

It was previously reported that the Lyric Opera of Chicago had reached deals with four unions following ongoing negotiations with many of the opera's stakeholders. The opera had reached agreements with Stagehands Local 2, Wardrobe Local 769, Hair and Make-Up Local 476 and Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 750, according to Lyric Opera and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

Today, Lyric Management sent what it called a 'settlement offer' to the Orchestra musicians through a federal mediator.  Management gave the musicians a grand total of six hours to accept it, or else it would be withdrawn.

It was reported yesterday that the Lyric Opera of Chicago had reached deals with four unions following ongoing negotiations with many of the opera's stakeholders. The opera had reached agreements with Stagehands Local 2, Wardrobe Local 769, Hair and Make-Up Local 476 and Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 750, according to Lyric Opera and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

It was reported yesterday that the Lyric Opera of Chicago had reached deals with four unions following ongoing negotiations with many of the opera's stakeholders. The opera had reached agreements with Stagehands Local 2, Wardrobe Local 769, Hair and Make-Up Local 476 and Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 750, according to Lyric Opera and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

Lyric Opera of Chicago and representatives of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) announced today that Stagehands Local 2, Wardrobe Local 769, Hair and Make-Up Local 476 and Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 750 entered into multi-year labor agreements. Each of these agreements was unanimously ratified by the membership of each IATSE local.

Dan Novak, director of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, the professional artist development program at Lyric Opera of Chicago, is pleased to announce that soprano Mathilda Edge, mezzo-soprano Kathleen Felty, and bass Anthony Reed, have been accepted into this prestigious program for its 2019/20 Ensemble.