Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center has unveiled the singers selected for the 2026-27 ensemble.

The newcomers include sopranos Kylie Kreucher and Josie Larsen, baritone Adam Partridge, and bass-baritones Matthew Dexter and Lin Fan. Meanwhile, the returning Ensemble members are mezzo-sopranos Alexis Peart and Camille Robles, tenor Daniel Luis Espinal, baritone Sihao Hu, and bass-baritone Benjamin R. Sokol.

The new members, selected from a pool of 600 applicants, will commence their tenure in May 2026 and will get advanced instruction in various facets of opera performance. They will also participate in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s mainstage season, performing and understudying numerous roles. They will also headline Ryan Opera Center concerts and recitals.

The artists were selected during a public Final Audition, with the audience selecting Kylie Kreucher as its favorite; she received a $500 cash prize as a result. The event also featured a performance from contralto Lauren Decker, a Ryan Opera Center alumna.

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