Season highlights includes a production of Rigoletto directed by Mary Birnbaum and featuring Igor Golovatenko, Mane Galoyan, and Javier Camarena (the latter two in Lyric debuts), as well as Elza van den Heever, Russell Thomas, Elbenita Kajtazi, and Alfred Walker in Fidelio in Matthew Ozawa‘s production. Both are conducted by Enrique Mazzola.

Later in the season, Erina Yashima conducts Peter Kellner, Ying Fang, Federica Lombardi, Gordon Bintner, and Kayleigh Decker in a revival of Barbara Gaines‘s production of Figaro.

Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson‘s Blue makes its Lyric debut in November with Kenneth Kellogg, Zoie Reams, and Norman Garrett and a springtime bohème with the seasoned quartet of Ailyn Pérez, Pene Pati, Will Liverman, and Gabriella Reyes features a new-to-Chicago production by Melanie Bacaling.

Later that month, the latest collaboration between Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavreck premieres: The Listeners, based on a short story by Jordan Tannahill, will star Nicole Heaston, Kyle Ketelsen, Jonas Hacker, Daniela Mack, and Zachary Nelson in a production by Lileana Blain-Cruz. Mazzola returns to conduct.

Other prominent events include a solo concert by Patti LuPone and an all-Puccini recital with Sondra Radvanovsky, as well as overtures and choruses conducted by Mazzola, who, by the way, has had his contract extended for another five years.

Cher public is, as always, encouraged to sound off.

Photo: Eric Allix Rogers