Lyric Opera 2024-2025 Issue 1 - Rigoletto
71 | Lyric Opera of Chicago Vázquez. Frida recounts the real-life friendship between a young girl living in Mexico City and the legendary artist Frida Kahlo. The opera features a vibrant cast of characters, including Frida’s husband Diego Rivera and their beloved pets, all portrayed through engaging song and narrative. “Operas like Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World have the unique ability to inspire and educate by introducing historical figures with cultural significance and stories with relatable themes,” explains Potter. Student audiences will delight in the opportunity to connect to this musical journey about facing your fears, learning new things, and the power of friendship. The tour of Frida will feature 11 school performances at venues throughout the Chicago area and suburbs, as well as three performances at Chicago performing arts facilities for the public to enjoy. The lineup of public performances includes Kennedy-King College on October 12, the Merit School of Music on October 27, and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts on November 2. By bringing opera directly to students, Opera in the Neighborhoods ensures that audiences across a wide range of communities can enjoy and be inspired by live performances. Lyric Unlimited also offers many resources for teachers to bring the arts into the classroom and integrate production themes into their curriculum. The longstanding program initially featured abridged, family-friendly versions of classic operas (beginning with Die Fledermaus in 1994). While this content was more familiar to educators and parents, these classic works sometimes didn’t easily connect with contemporary concerns. In response to feedback from the educators and communities the program serves, Opera in the Neighborhoods now features original works commissioned from world-class composers, which explore themes relevant to young audiences. New this season, Lyric will be providing free tickets for all performances, demonstrating its commitment to offering affordable artistic experiences to audiences of all ages. “Our goal,” explains Potter, “is to ensure the arts remain accessible to all and that an appreciation for opera continues through many generations to come.” To learn more about Opera in the Neighborhoods and other Lyric Learning & Civic Engagement Programming, visit lyricopera.org/learn-engage/. Opera in the Neighborhoods is supported by Lead Sponsor CIBC with major support from the Nancy W. Knowles Student and Family Performances Fund , the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation , and an Anonymous Donor . Stylized perils onstage in Jason and the Argonauts . Bob Kusel
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