Lyric Opera 2019-2020 Issue 8 Madama Butterfly

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 37 Introducing Chicago to Blue In June, Lyric will present the Chicago premiere of Blue , by composer Jeanine Tesori and librettist Tazewell Thompson. Lyric is planning an array of public events to bring audiences further into issues that are central to this extraordinary new opera, which focuses on the senseless violence affecting one African American family. “ Blue is about the realization of a family’s greatest fear for their son – that someone will take his life because he’s a black male in America,” says Crystal Coats, Lyric’s director of community programs. “And that’s exactly what happens – he’s a teenager who’s shot by a white police officer.” Also essential to the plot is that the boy’s own father is a police officer – “a black man in blue.” We never find out why the son was shot, “but that’s less important than the fact that it happened ,” adds Coats, “and that it happens to black people in America on a regular basis.” At the same time, it’s essential in thinking about Blue to acknowledge “the entire life of the son. He was the firstborn, the parents celebrated his birth, they nurtured him, they made plans for him, he grew into a teenager, and he died. But he had a life, and we don’t want to overlook it.” In planning the public programs associated with Blue , Lyric aims to create multiple opportunities to connect to the relevant and timely issues presented in this opera. Lyric will offer a combination of live events, interactive projects, and online resources to further engage our audience. One exciting project is “Thoughts on Parenthood,” a collaboration between Lyric and Chicago-based social justice artist/photographer Tonika Johnson, best known for her award- winning “Folded Map Project.” For “Thoughts on Parenthood,” Lyric will partner with community organizations, city offices, and cultural institutions throughout Chicago to solicit feedback from parents on their experiences raising children. From the respondents, Johnson will select a few to interview and photograph. Those portraits will be shared on the Lyric website. “At its heart, Blue is about the experience of two parents,” says Coats. “This project is an opportunity for our audience to compare the experiences of parents from demographics across the city.” Lyric is also planning a welcoming reception to kick off programs related to Blue . Among the community organizations involved in these activities are the Rebuild Foundation, Chicago Children’s Museum, Heartland Alliance, and the Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention. “It’s important for Lyric to tell stories of the black experience in America,” says Coats. “Especially through an art form like opera, which can allow for nuance as well as drama. For an issue that is directly impacting all of us in Chicago, opera is as well suited for telling the relevant stories of today as it was 200 years ago.” The Lyric premiere of Blue is made possible by support from Gene and Jean Stark , Allstate Insurance Company , Baker & McKenzie , BMO Harris Bank , Conagra Brands Foundation , the Eisen Family Foundation , Virginia and Gary Gerst , Eric and Deb Hirschfield , the Lauter McDougal Charitable Fund , Magellan Corporation , Mary Stowell , w ith additional support from Drs. Walter and Anne-Marie Bruyninckx , and Debbie K. Wright . For the calendar of special events and activities related to the Chicago premiere of Blue , visit lyricopera.org/ productions/2019-20/blue/. Blue composer Jeanine Tesori and librettist Tazewell Thompson. Scenes from the 2019 world premiere of Blue at The Glimmerglass Festival. Karli Cadel/The Glimmerglass Festival Karli Cadel/The Glimmerglass Festival