It’s no secret to opera fans that Illinois is home to great musical talent. In recent years, Lyric Opera fans have seen Wheeling native Deborah Voigt perform in Tosca and Tristan und Isolde and Grand Tower, Ill native Christine Brewer sing the Mother Abyss in The Sound of Music. Previously, famed Verdi baritone Sherrill Milnes grew up in Downers Grove. Baritone Nathan Gunn and bass Samuel Ramey have also adopted Illinois as home for their musical careers and collaborations with the University of Illinois and Roosevelt University, respectively.
As part of its outreach initiatives, the Lyric Opera of Chicago has demonstrated increasing interest in diverse types of Chicago talent. Perhaps the most extreme example is Lyric’s recent collaborations with Chicago improvisation group Second City and comedienne Jane Lynch, who grew up in Evergreen Park.
However, as Lyric announced their 2016-2017 season last month, it also announced a new interest in celebrating and engaging the diverse voices and sounds of its city. This comes in the form of Chicago Voices, a multifaceted initiative directed by creative consultant Renee Fleming.
Through this program, Lyric seeks creative locals with a story to tell. While collaborating with many other Chicago organizations including the Chicago Public Library and the Chicago History Museum, this initiative is welcoming city residents to submit narratives from their experience and community. Through an online competition, the top stories will be identified and turned into original musical productions to debut next fall.
To complement these new works, Chicago’s rich musical past will be explored through a variety of museum exhibits, symposia, and events. For more information, visit www.chicagovoices.com.
