Seven operas, concerts, film events and Guys & Dolls shape Lyric’s 2026/27 season
Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced its 2026/27 season, giving audiences a wide range of productions that stretch from classic opera to concerts, film presentations and the return of its summer musical. The new season includes seven operas, several special concert events, two movie presentations with live orchestra and a summer run of Guys & Dolls. Subscriptions are on sale now, and the lineup reflects Lyric’s continued effort to balance beloved classics with newer and less frequently staged works.
The season officially opens with Mozart’s Don Giovanni, which runs from Oct. 10 through Nov. 1, 2026. The production continues Lyric’s recent exploration of Mozart’s collaborations with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte. Known for its mix of dark comedy, drama and sharp social themes, Don Giovanni sets the tone for a season built around major vocal showcases and familiar masterworks.
Later in October, Lyric presents the company premiere of Omar, the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels. It will be staged on Oct. 23, 25 and 28, 2026. Inspired by the life and writings of Omar ibn Said, the work brings a more contemporary and distinctly American voice to the season. Its addition gives the lineup a broader historical and cultural scope while standing beside more traditional repertory staples.
November brings several offerings. Donizetti’s comic opera Don Pasquale returns to Lyric from Nov. 12 through Nov. 27, 2026. The lighthearted work centers on love, deception and family scheming, making it one of the season’s more playful selections. Just days later, Lyric presents Wagner: Myth & Music on Nov. 20 and 22, 2026, a concert program featuring the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus. The performances will spotlight the grandeur and drama of Wagner’s music in a concert setting.
Also in late November, Lyric continues its Movie Nights at Lyric series with Disney’s Encanto in Concert Live to Film on Nov. 28 and 29, 2026. The Academy Award-winning animated film will be shown with live orchestral accompaniment, creating a family-friendly event that expands Lyric’s appeal beyond traditional opera audiences.
The new year begins with another film event, Amadeus LIVE, on Jan. 15 and 16, 2027. The Oscar-winning film about Mozart and Salieri will be accompanied by the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus. One week later, Lyric presents Haydn’s The Creation on Jan. 22 and 23, 2027. The oratorio, based on biblical and literary texts, adds a large-scale choral work to the season and gives audiences a chance to hear one of Haydn’s most celebrated compositions in Lyric’s home.
In February, Lyric stages Hérodiade: An Opera in Concert from Feb. 23 through Feb. 28, 2027. Massenet’s work is a rarely performed piece based on the story of Salome, and its presentation in concert form offers a chance for Chicago audiences to experience a title that is not often heard on local stages.
March features the return of Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos, which runs from March 11 through March 26, 2027. The opera blends comedy, backstage tension and classical mythology, making it one of the more unusual works in the repertory. Later that month, Verdi’s La traviata opens on March 24 and continues through April 25, 2027. As one of opera’s most recognized and frequently performed titles, La traviata is likely to be one of the season’s major draws. Its long run reflects its enduring popularity with audiences.
April also includes Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah, which runs from April 11 through April 23, 2027. The American opera, set in a rural Tennessee community, brings another distinctly American story into the season. At the end of the month, Lyric presents Sondra Radvanovsky & SeokJong Baek in Concert on April 30 and May 2, 2027. The concert will feature arias and duets performed by two major opera stars and marks another highlight in a season built around major voices.
The season closes with the return of the Lyric summer musical. Guys & Dolls will run from June 4 through June 20, 2027, for 19 performances. The production marks the first Lyric summer musical in four seasons and brings Broadway energy back to the company’s stage. With its familiar songs and classic story, Guys & Dolls is positioned as a crowd-pleasing finish to the year.
Taken together, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2026/27 season offers a straightforward mix of classics, newer works, concerts and special events. From Don Giovanni in October to Guys & Dolls in June, the company has built a season designed to serve longtime opera fans while also welcoming families and first-time attendees through film nights, concerts and accessible programming.
• Don Giovanni — Oct. 10 to Nov. 1, 2026
• Omar — Oct. 23, 25 and 28, 2026
• Don Pasquale — Nov. 12 to Nov. 27, 2026
• Wagner: Myth & Music — Nov. 20 and 22, 2026
• Disney’s Encanto in Concert Live to Film — Nov. 28 and 29, 2026
• Amadeus LIVE — Jan. 15 and 16, 2027
• Haydn’s The Creation — Jan. 22 and 23, 2027
• Hérodiade: An Opera in Concert — Feb. 23 to Feb. 28, 2027
• Ariadne auf Naxos — March 11 to March 26, 2027
• La traviata — March 24 to April 25, 2027
• Susannah — April 11 to April 23, 2027
• Sondra Radvanovsky & SeokJong Baek in Concert — April 30 and May 2, 2027
• Guys & Dolls — June 4 to June 20, 2027