Enrique Mazzola Extends Contract with Lyric Opera of Chicago

The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced that Enrique Mazzola will extend his contract as Music Director through 2030-31. The Lyric Opera board signed off on the extension. Mazzola succeeded Andrew Davis with a five-year contract in 2021-22. Next season, the conductor will lead productions of “Fidelio,” “Rigoletto,” “The Puccini Heroines,” “The Listeners,” and “A Wonderous Concert.” Mazzola has conducted at {…}

Ailyn Pérez, Sondra Radvanovsky, Kenneth Kellogg, & Javier Camarena Lead Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2024-25 Season

The Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its 2024-25 season. Here is a look at the productions. Verdi’s “Rigoletto” is set to star Igor Golovatenko, Soloman Howard, Javier Camarena, and Mané Galoyan. Enrique Mazzola conducts the production by Director Mary Birnbaum. Performance Dates: Sept. 14-Oct. 6 2024 Elza van den Heever, Russell Thomas, Mika Kares, and Brian Mulligan star in {…}

New Study Finds Gender Inequality & Non-Standard Work in US Opera Production

(Photo credit: Adrien Coquet) Dr. Caitlin Vincent (University of Melbourne) and Dr. Amanda Coles (Deakin University) have published their findings on the gender inequality and the impacts of non-standard work in the US opera industry. The team tracked women’s representation as conductors, directors, and designers at the 11 largest opera companies in the United States – the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe {…}

Lyric Opera of Chicago to Use New Accessible Technology in its 2023-24 Season

The Lyric Opera of Chicago announced the 2023-24 season will launch the SoundShirt as part of its accessibility initiative. The season-long pilot program brings wearable technology to the opera house for the first time. The SoundShirt invented and produced by London-based CuteCircuit, allows wearers to better interpret the unique qualities of live opera and musical-theater performances. Wearers experience the feeling {…}