Chicago, IL

Lyric Opera of Chicago in Chicago

Address: 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606 - MAP
Phone: (312) 332-2244
Web: www.lyricopera.org

The Lyric Opera of Chicago was founded in 1952 and has since become a leading opera company in the United States. The permanent home of the Lyric Opera is the Civic Opera House. The Civic Opera House has about 3,563 seats, making it the second-largest opera auditorium in North America. Productions include both standard opera performances and contemporary works like Harbison's "The Great Gatsby," Weill's "Street Scene," Floyd's "Susannah," Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" and John Adams' "Doctor Atomic," among others. The opera has syndicated broadcasts on WFMT radio and XM Satellite Radio.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago has a development program for singers called the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists. The LOCAA was founded in 1973 and has helped many opera performers hone their skills and become successful. Among the prestigious program's alumni are Harolyn Blackwell, Nicole Cabell, Mark S. Doss, Elizabeth Futral, Joseph Kaiser, Gregory Kunde, Susanna Phillips, Matthew Polenzani, and Erin Wall. Over 500 hopefuls audition for placement in the LOCAA program annually but only about 12 are selected.