Lyric Opera of Chicago

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. It was founded in Chicago in 1954.

Related Topics:
United States - Chicago

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The company's permanent home is the Civic Opera Building, a 1929 structure with an Art Deco interior. Its 3,563-seat capacity makes it the second-largest opera auditorium in North America.

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Art Deco - North America

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Wiiliam Mason is the current General Manager of the Lyric Opera, a position he has held since November 1997. Mason has been with the company for over 40 years. Andrew Davis is the Lyric's music director and principal conductor, a post he has occupied since in September 2000. He led three complete cycles of Der Ring des Nibelungen in the 2004-2005 season to mark the company's 50th anniversary.

Related Topics:
Andrew Davis - Der Ring des Nibelungen

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In addition to the standard operatic repertoire, the Lyric also presents contemporary works. Recent productions have included Harbison's The Great Gatsby (2000-01), Weill's Street Scene (2001-02), and Floyd's Susannah and Sondheim's Sweeney Todd (2002-03).

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Composer William Bolcom wrote his most recent opera for Lyric, A Wedding, which is based on the 1978 Robert Altman film of the same name, and was directed by Altman. It premiered during Lyric's 50th-anniversary season. Bolcom will also create another opera for Lyric, to be premiered during the 2009-10 season.

Related Topics:
William Bolcom - Robert Altman

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