Witness the magical 1893 Chicago World’s Fair with young Marie and her Nutcracker Prince in Tony Award® winning choreographer Wheeldon’s holiday masterpiece. It’s a celebratory Christmas Eve, and thanks to a surprise visit from the enchanting Great Impresario, Marie embarks on a spellbinding adventure into a realm of spectacle and wonder. Experience our holiday magic in this must-see tradition boldly reimagined for a new generation.

Janáček’s Jenůfa is a dark and stunning masterpiece, both musically and dramatically. In this profoundly moving story, the Kostelnička secretly drowns her foster-daughter Jenůfa’s illegitimate child, hoping to save Jenůfa — and herself — from shame and humiliation. When the murder is discovered, the Kostelnička accepts the consequences, but Jenůfa ends the opera with hope for the future.

The critically acclaimed adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece, 'Frankenstein', is a visceral, profoundly emotional tale of life, death, love, and identity. Set to Liebermann’s original sweeping score and immersed within the stunning stage design by world-renowned artist John Macfarlane, this must-see Chicago premiere is one of the most innovative works of ballet today.

Experience the inimitable talent of Audra McDonald in concert with the Lyric Opera Orchestra conducted by Andy Einhorn in a spellbinding evening of songs, from theater classics to new works and seldom-heard gems. Winner of six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy Award, Audra McDonald possesses a “lustrous lyric soprano” (The New York Times) and an incomparable gift for dramatic truth-telling.

The first opera that revealed Wagner’s genius, The Flying Dutchman is the story of a young woman’s obsession. Senta dreams of the Dutchman, who’s cursed to wander the earth. He comes ashore every seven years, searching for a woman who will be faithful to him until death. When she meets him, Senta’s fate is sealed. This new-to-Chicago production at Lyric Opera of Chicago will bring to life some of the composer’s most magnificent and emotional music, including thrilling, spectacular choruses.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Oscar-winning film Encanto comes to life in concert, featuring Chicago Philharmonic performing the original score by Germaine Franco, who earned Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for the music and became the first Latina to join the music branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences following the movie’s smash-hit success. The soundtrack also features songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Moana), including the award-winning “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”

An evening of beautiful music as artists from The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center perform a variety of favorites from the 2023/24 Season accompanied by members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and conducted by Enrique Mazzola, Lyric’s music director.

Carmen is irresistible from the first note of the electrifying prelude right to the end of the devastating finale. The immortal tale of the restless, free-spirited heroine and Don José, the soldier who's drawn to her in a truly "fatal attraction," Carmen has long been one of the world's favorite operas. It returns this season in the company's vividly colorful, powerfully dramatic production with dynamic Ryan Opera Center alumna J'Nai Bridges, who is now enjoying a dazzling career internationally, in the title role. Partnering with her is Charles Castronovo, one of the world's most acclaimed tenors. You'll be drawn to the drama like moth to flame as this alluring opera brings you along to its edge-of-your-seat ending.

Love is all-consuming for the beautiful but married Anna, who finds herself caught in a life-changing affair with the dashing Count Vronsky. Set in the late 19th century of Imperial Russia, Possokhov’s immersive adaptation—winner of the 2019 “Oscars of Dance” Benois de la Danse International Prize for Best Choreography—returns to the Joffrey for the first time since its successful world premiere in 2019. This blockbuster ballet, based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy, features an original composition by award-winning composer Ilya Demutsky, costumes and sets by Emmy-Award-winning designer Tom Pye, and lighting by famed designer David Finn.

A rivetingly modern, astonishingly inventive view of the Brothers Grimm's fairytale features an eye-popping production that does full justice to Humperdinck's glorious score.

Magic is on the horizon for young Marie and the Nutcracker Prince, thanks to a visit from the charming but mysterious Great Impresario. At the stroke of midnight on a snowy Christmas Eve when the lines between fantasy and reality blur together, Marie sets out on an unforgettable journey through Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair, a marvel of sights, sounds, and enchantment. This annual holiday tradition celebrates the magic of the season and the rich cultural heritage of Chicago.

Performances at the Civic Opera Hour: November 9, 12, 17. 20 25

One of the most magnificent achievements in the history of opera, Don Carlos masterfully reveals the private turmoil of very public personalities. In 16th-century Spain, King Philip II is torn apart by his own jealous suspicions that his son, crown prince Carlos, and Queen Elisabeth — Philip's young wife and Carlos's stepmother — are in love.

September 10, 2022

The producers of Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY are proud to present a new orchestra concert experience: FINAL FANTASY 35th Anniversary Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY Coral. Specially curated by Nobuo Uematsu, the program is a monumental, retrospective celebration of the incredible FINAL FANTASY music catalog. Conductor and Grammy Award winner Arnie Roth leads an orchestra and chorus of 100 musicians onstage, with exclusive HD video direct from creators at Square Enix.

October 8, 2022

The incomparable Renée Fleming will be joined by charismatic baritone Rod Gilfry for an extraordinary musical event: the Chicago premiere of The Brightness of Light, composed by Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Puts.