Lyric Opera of Chicago
Encyclopedia : L : LY : LYR : Lyric Opera of Chicago
The Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. It was founded in Chicago in 1954.
The company's permanent home is the Civic Opera House, a 1929 structure with an Art Deco interior. Its 3,563-seat capacity makes it the second-largest opera auditorium in North America.
William Mason is the current General Director of the Lyric Opera, a position he has held since November 1997. Mason has been with the company for over 40 years. Sir Andrew Davis is the Lyric's music director and principal conductor, a post he has occupied since in September 2000. He led three complete cycles of Der Ring des Nibelungen in the 2004-2005 season to mark the company's 50th anniversary.
In addition to the standard operatic repertoire, the Lyric also presents contemporary works. Recent productions have included Harbison's The Great Gatsby (2000-01), Weill's Street Scene (2001-02), and Floyd's Susannah and Sondheim's Sweeney Todd (2002-03).
Composer William Bolcom wrote his most recent opera for Lyric, A Wedding, which is based on the 1978 Robert Altman film of the same name, and was directed by Altman. It premiered during Lyric's 50th-anniversary season. Bolcom will also create another opera for Lyric, to be premiered during the 2009-10 season.
External links
- [Lyric Opera of Chicago website]
- [Profile at Centerstage Chicago]
- [Chicago Landmarks: Civic Opera Building]
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