The Lyric Opera of Chicago has officially canceled its 2020-21 season due to ongoing concerns over COVID-19.

Among the works canceled are a production of “Blue,” “Samson et Dalila,” “L’Elisir d’Amore,” “Le Nozze di Figaro,” and “The Rake’s Progress.”

“Having to cancel the remainder of our season is devastating but unavoidable, in order to keep our guests, artists, and company safe,” says Freud. “We want nothing more than to get back to the live performances that we are all craving at the Lyric Opera House with all of you, but the safety of our Lyric family comes first. We will continue to follow the policies and guidelines set by the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois’ five-phase plan of reopening. In the meantime, Lyric is still hard at work creating a broad array of special digital offerings for our audiences, which have been well received to date, and we remain committed to our virtual education and community programming this season.”

In canceling the season, the company also previewed its upcoming 2021-22 season which will include a new production of “Macbeth” by Sir David McVicar and conducted by Enrique Mazzola as well as Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade’s “The Magic Flute” production. Audiences will also get a chance to see “Florencia en el Amazonas,” the first Spanish-language opera to be performed as part of the company’s mainstage season.  Terence Blanchard’s “Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” which will open the Metropolitan Opera’s 2021-22 season will also take the Chicago stage, as will Missy Mazzoli’s “Proving Up.” The company will also present “42nd Street.”