Lyric Opera of Chicago Cancels 2 Performances of 2018-19 Season

By David Salazar

The Lyric Opera of Chicago has canceled a number of performances in light of the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra’s strike.

The company canceled Lyric Uncorked on Tuesday night and will also forego performances of “La Bohème” and “Idomeneo” on Oct. 11 and 13, respectively. Open House Chicago, scheduled for Oct. 13, will also be canceled.

“We deeply apologize for the inconvenience and we hope you will join us on another date. We ask that current ticket holders check their email for more information,” the company’s post on Facebook noted.

While the Lyric Opera of Chicago came to a new labor agreement with a number of unions, it could not find a middle ground with the members of the orchestra, who went on strike citing a loss of members, a loss of work weeks, and overall pay cuts across the board in the offer made to the organization.

“We’re on strike because we will not, and cannot, accept a Lyric Opera of Chicago that is nothing but a pale shadow of its former self,” a statement by the Orchestra noted.

“This unnecessary and harmful action may require Lyric to cancel performances. Ryan Opera Center, Lyric Unlimited and other related activities also will be affected,” said the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s communications department. “Additional updates will be provided as these determinations are made.”

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