Lyric Opera 2023-2024 Issue 6 - Champion

21 | Lyric Opera of Chicago Champion Lyric Premiere Music by Terence Blanchard | Opera in two acts in English Libretto by Michael Cristofer January 27, 31m and February 3, 6, 9, 11m, 2024 CHARACTERS IN ORDER OF VOCAL APPEARANCE Emile Griffith Reginald Smith, Jr. Emelda Griffith Whitney Morrison •• Benny “Kid” Paret Leroy Davis •• Howie Albert Paul Groves Luis Rodrigo Griffith Martin Luther Clark •• Ring Announcer Larry Yando + Young Emile Griffith Justin Austin Kathy Hagen Meredith Arwady •• Man in Bar Ian Rucker • Cousin Blanche Krysty Swann Little Emile Naya Rosalie James + Lucia Paret Emily Mwila Mano Alfaro Cameo Humes Sadie Donastorg Griffith Meroë Khalia Adeeb Benny Paret, Jr. Leroy Davis •• Conductor Enrique Mazzola Director James Robinson Set Designer Allen Moyer Costume Designer Montana Levi Blanco + Lighting Designer Donald Holder Projection Designer Greg Emetaz Chorus Director Michael Black Choreographer Camille A. Brown Associate Choreographer Christopher Figaro Jackson Ballet Mistress August Tye Wigmaster and Sarah Hatten Makeup Designer Assistant Director Alison Pogorelc Stage Manager Rachel A.Tobias Stage Band Conductor Kedrick Armstrong Musical Preparation Kedrick Armstrong Michael Banwarth • William C. Billingham Donald Lee III • Noah Lindquist Ballet Accompanist Imogen Smith Boxing Consultant David Ortiz, Jr. Fight Director Chuck Coyl Intimacy Director Jyreika Guest Dramaturg Paul Cremo First performed at Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts,St.Louis, on June 15,2013. First performed by Lyric Opera of Chicago on January 27,2024. + Lyric debut • Current Member, The Patrick G.and Shirley W.Ryan Opera Center •• Alumni, The Patrick G.and Shirley W.Ryan Opera Center Dancers: Uria Bennett + , Benjamin Freedman + , Dedrick D. Banks Gray + , Marcus Hardy, Lauryn Hayes + , Morgan Reed McDaniel, Olivier Medus, Martin Ortiz Tapia, Jude M. Perry-Evans, Martell Ruffin + , Dymon Samara + , Babou Sanneh + , Brian Selcik + ,Whitney Wandland Actors: Miles Borchard, Bryan Nicholas Carter + , Keith Dutton, Joshua L. Green + , Royce Jade, Henry Lunn, Julie Matolo + , Joshua Moaney, Darren Patin + , Bob Romay, Michael Saubert, Jr., Philip Soulides, Niki Southern, Symonne Still + , Claudia Urbano, David von Ehrlicher, Jordan David Wallace + , Bobby Wilhelmson