Lyric Opera of Chicago
Lyric Opera of Chicago
4.5
About
Lyric Opera of Chicago amazes, inspires, and engages audiences with powerful live performances that resonate long after the curtain falls. We strive to advance artistic excellence, to attract new audiences, to engage and inspire diverse communities with the power of opera and compelling storytelling—and to increase the gravitational pull of our art form, our company, and our city.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
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Neighborhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
How to get there
- Washington/Wells • 4 min walk
- Quincy • 6 min walk
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See what travelers are saying
- Hector BolanosChicago, Illinois107 contributionsNice place, very classy.Recently saw "The Flying Dutchman" at the Civic Opera House. Nice production, very classy. Even though I was at the back of the theater, the acoustics of the hall were so good that I could still hear everything clearly. The interior was a little confusing and they could use more signs directing people where to go, but the staff was helpful and made up for it. All in all, a very nice experience.Visited September 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 7, 2023
- EJJourneyOrland Park, Illinois553 contributionsCinderella at the LyricSaw Cinderella. Good show, attended the prefecture, very interesting. Some surprising elements to the production, kept my interest. Well done. Great venue w art deco architecture, good acoustics, and comfortable seats. Appreciate the support staff in ladies restrooms moving the line along. If you go, so well worth it....some tips...short walk from both Union and LaSalle metra stations (I used LaSalle), and discounted parking at Poetry garage by Opera House. Refreshments available.Visited February 2024Traveled with friendsWritten February 8, 2024
- Jim MChelsea, Michigan347 contributionsExcellent music experienceThis was the reason we came to Chicago for a Spring trip. We saw Verdi's "Aida", and we weren't disappointed by the venue, production, main cast, choir, and dancers. The venue is plush and the sonics are incomparable. We enjoyed the production of the opera and left the place very moved by what we had seen.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 16, 2024
- MaDier90Boston, Massachusetts267 contributionsAmazing Aida at the Lyric Opera houseJust saw Aida in this gorgeous art deco opera house. I'm glad I splurged on front orchestra seats since this is a large hall. The production was magnificent with outstanding principals and excellent acoustics. Higl=hly recommended! Absolutely on par with NY Metropolitan Opera.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 25, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
471 reviews
Excellent
387
Very good
61
Average
16
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Foodie
Florida570 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Where did this production of Aida take place? It’s a mystery! I know the opera, and have seen it several times, but this version was totally, uh…. Let me guess, Innovative??? I wasn’t sure if it was an Asian motif or… well, I don’t know.? It certainly didn’t identify with Egypt. And where was the parade of exotic animals in the Triumphant? Not one! The sound was temperamental also. There were times when we could not hear, especially the Princess. And the costuming was barely adequate. Nothing grand in this diluted version. In my estimation, this was a low-budget production, of what was intended to be a spectacle opera. Raise the barre please for those of us who know what we came to see. I would have preferred to stay home and listen to a recording and use my past experiences of seeing this beautiful opera come to life, rather than what I saw at the Lyric.
Written April 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hector Bolanos
Chicago, IL107 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Recently saw "The Flying Dutchman" at the Civic Opera House. Nice production, very classy. Even though I was at the back of the theater, the acoustics of the hall were so good that I could still hear everything clearly. The interior was a little confusing and they could use more signs directing people where to go, but the staff was helpful and made up for it. All in all, a very nice experience.
Written December 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim M
Chelsea, MI347 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
This was the reason we came to Chicago for a Spring trip. We saw Verdi's "Aida", and we weren't disappointed by the venue, production, main cast, choir, and dancers. The venue is plush and the sonics are incomparable. We enjoyed the production of the opera and left the place very moved by what we had seen.
Written March 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EJJourney
Orland Park, IL553 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
Saw Cinderella. Good show, attended the prefecture, very interesting. Some surprising elements to the production, kept my interest. Well done.
Great venue w art deco architecture, good acoustics, and comfortable seats.
Appreciate the support staff in ladies restrooms moving the line along.
If you go, so well worth it....some tips...short walk from both Union and LaSalle metra stations (I used LaSalle), and discounted parking at Poetry garage by Opera House.
Refreshments available.
Great venue w art deco architecture, good acoustics, and comfortable seats.
Appreciate the support staff in ladies restrooms moving the line along.
If you go, so well worth it....some tips...short walk from both Union and LaSalle metra stations (I used LaSalle), and discounted parking at Poetry garage by Opera House.
Refreshments available.
Written February 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaDier90
Boston, MA267 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Just saw Aida in this gorgeous art deco opera house. I'm glad I splurged on front orchestra seats since this is a large hall. The production was magnificent with outstanding principals and excellent acoustics. Higl=hly recommended! Absolutely on par with NY Metropolitan Opera.
Written March 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MickyG
102 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Beautiful building & decor. Madame Butterfly was spellbinding. Recommend the pre- order for intermission refreshments. We were able to enjoy a leisurely glass of wine without waiting in line with this service. Was worried about what to wear but there was a wide range of fashion so just go & enjoy.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon A
Roscoe, IL37 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
My husband LOVES opera. Our son gave us box seats and these give you the ability to have extended room or to move your chair to your liking. There were only 6 chairs in the box. and we entered through our own cloak room...which is very nice in the winter to be able to hang your coats and scarves...without having to check them downstairs with everyone else.
The Building is beautiful...very Art Deco. I liked the fact that the seats are not high and steep like Milwaukee's Opera House. The Lyric House in Chicago has a warmer cozier vibe that makes you feel closer to the Orchestra and the Stage...which makes the performance seems more intense.
The Building is beautiful...very Art Deco. I liked the fact that the seats are not high and steep like Milwaukee's Opera House. The Lyric House in Chicago has a warmer cozier vibe that makes you feel closer to the Orchestra and the Stage...which makes the performance seems more intense.
Written April 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darren M
60 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
What you will NEVER discover Unless you go (5 Secrets)
I went to the Lyric Opera for the first time Saturday
And I discovered (5) secrets that anyone who has NOT attended the Opera should know that nearly no one discusses on the internet. I know this because I searched myself.
Secret 5 - They have a PRE- Opera historic reading (1 person at podium telling the history of how the performance was born and evolved) to share the history of any given opera you are attending. My show was at 7:30 the doors opened at 6:45 and the reading was at 6:15 or so. So call and ask when the pre reading opens. You get to sit on the main floor and take in the view of the stage and a lot of people did this.
Secret 4 - YES!!! You can go SOLO and not feel the least bit WEIRD about it! There were several people like me who came by themselves. ITS OK TO GO SOLO there are others and the people there are not the least bit concerned about it.
Secret 3 - You can dress casual (except opening nights which is more formal) so I wore a suit but did not have a tie. But a lot of people had on casual clothing especially the regulars. I wanted to dress up because it was a special occasion. But was glad that I did not have to wear a tie. Dress business casual ladies and gents and you are good to go. Slacks shirt nice dress or blouse.
WARNING GUYS if you are taking out a date despite what I have just said dress up at least to a suit dress shirt no tie optional. She will appreciate it as she will appreciate it and be looking fantastic.
Secret 2 - Want to meet the performers and orchestra? The security told me on the low about the southwest corner of Washington and Wacker is where you can go to meet the performers and MOST people don't know that it is free. You wait inside (there is some seating) and greet them this is not publicized only insiders know this.
Secret 1 -Want the greatest deals on ALL shows? get on their mailing list but EVEN BETTER. Buy a just ONE of their CHEAPEST seats ($40-$60) to any show and watch what happens..... their sales staff will call you with all sorts of deeply discounted deals they do NOT make public.
BONUS Secret - BACKSTAGE TOUR they have one of these a month it is only $15 and a MUST see!
I hope you benefit from my review and visit Lyric it is a fantastic place!
I went to the Lyric Opera for the first time Saturday
And I discovered (5) secrets that anyone who has NOT attended the Opera should know that nearly no one discusses on the internet. I know this because I searched myself.
Secret 5 - They have a PRE- Opera historic reading (1 person at podium telling the history of how the performance was born and evolved) to share the history of any given opera you are attending. My show was at 7:30 the doors opened at 6:45 and the reading was at 6:15 or so. So call and ask when the pre reading opens. You get to sit on the main floor and take in the view of the stage and a lot of people did this.
Secret 4 - YES!!! You can go SOLO and not feel the least bit WEIRD about it! There were several people like me who came by themselves. ITS OK TO GO SOLO there are others and the people there are not the least bit concerned about it.
Secret 3 - You can dress casual (except opening nights which is more formal) so I wore a suit but did not have a tie. But a lot of people had on casual clothing especially the regulars. I wanted to dress up because it was a special occasion. But was glad that I did not have to wear a tie. Dress business casual ladies and gents and you are good to go. Slacks shirt nice dress or blouse.
WARNING GUYS if you are taking out a date despite what I have just said dress up at least to a suit dress shirt no tie optional. She will appreciate it as she will appreciate it and be looking fantastic.
Secret 2 - Want to meet the performers and orchestra? The security told me on the low about the southwest corner of Washington and Wacker is where you can go to meet the performers and MOST people don't know that it is free. You wait inside (there is some seating) and greet them this is not publicized only insiders know this.
Secret 1 -Want the greatest deals on ALL shows? get on their mailing list but EVEN BETTER. Buy a just ONE of their CHEAPEST seats ($40-$60) to any show and watch what happens..... their sales staff will call you with all sorts of deeply discounted deals they do NOT make public.
BONUS Secret - BACKSTAGE TOUR they have one of these a month it is only $15 and a MUST see!
I hope you benefit from my review and visit Lyric it is a fantastic place!
Written October 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MAX W
San Antonio, TX16 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Visited Chicago to see 2 operas, including above and opening night for Don Giovanni. Both productions were musically and technically excellent. Dead Man Walking was particularly moving both emotionally and musically, considering the dismal subject.
The theatre is a wonderful treasure. Beautiful and highly functional. Easy to get a beverage, easy to check coats with check rooms on each floor adequate number of restrooms. Only problem, which is ubiquitous for older venues is small seats with little knee/foot room for tall folks like me. Many seats are narrow, but not all. Lower level seating will be replaced next year. Hopefully, they will focus on more comfort for the sometimes long productions, like this year’s Ring Cycle. I will say the ushers are particularly responsive as I was stymied at Dead Man Walking. Seat was was so narrowI could not adjust my legs at all and knees were crunched. Referred to Head Usher on our floor and he immediately secured a chair and placed it into a wheelchair spot. Great solution! (At an older venue at home, I automatically book into handicapped seating, as each seat is not the same. But mostly they are not suitable for me.)
Don Giovanni was very entertaining and I had seen many parts of it, but never the entire production. Very entertaining and musically engaging. The ending was downhill...actually straight downhill into the Depths of Hell! Where the Don was sent by the Commendatore, whom many of you may have seen in the movie, Amadeus. The ending is really quite a show! An appropriate end for the Don, after a fun, yet sinful, romp!
After the show, we were lucky to tour the inner workings of the building, rehearsal rooms, costuming, etcetera, conducted by a very nice young man and new member of the Lyric Opera Chorus.
All in all, the Lyric! is easy to visit and enjoy on a trip to Chicago.
The theatre is a wonderful treasure. Beautiful and highly functional. Easy to get a beverage, easy to check coats with check rooms on each floor adequate number of restrooms. Only problem, which is ubiquitous for older venues is small seats with little knee/foot room for tall folks like me. Many seats are narrow, but not all. Lower level seating will be replaced next year. Hopefully, they will focus on more comfort for the sometimes long productions, like this year’s Ring Cycle. I will say the ushers are particularly responsive as I was stymied at Dead Man Walking. Seat was was so narrowI could not adjust my legs at all and knees were crunched. Referred to Head Usher on our floor and he immediately secured a chair and placed it into a wheelchair spot. Great solution! (At an older venue at home, I automatically book into handicapped seating, as each seat is not the same. But mostly they are not suitable for me.)
Don Giovanni was very entertaining and I had seen many parts of it, but never the entire production. Very entertaining and musically engaging. The ending was downhill...actually straight downhill into the Depths of Hell! Where the Don was sent by the Commendatore, whom many of you may have seen in the movie, Amadeus. The ending is really quite a show! An appropriate end for the Don, after a fun, yet sinful, romp!
After the show, we were lucky to tour the inner workings of the building, rehearsal rooms, costuming, etcetera, conducted by a very nice young man and new member of the Lyric Opera Chorus.
All in all, the Lyric! is easy to visit and enjoy on a trip to Chicago.
Written November 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fred S
West Paducah, KY30 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We had expensive, main floor, center seats. The music was wonderful, the scenery beautiful, the dancing? I don't know, as I couldn't see most of it. The seats on the main floor are not staggered, so the patron in front of me was DIRECTLY in front of me; I lost at least 30% of the stage view to his head. I'm not particularly short, he wasn't overly tall; my partner who is 6'2" had the same issue with the man seated in front of him. By intermission I was literally LAYING in my seat, so I could view past the man's neck, instead of his whole head. This is not a reflection on the show, except to say that I missed the full-stage dances, including most of the rumble, except for one or two dancers on the sides of the stage. I would NEVER AGAIN pay $$$ for seats in this venue that aren't in a first row (balcony) or perhaps with an aisle directly in front of me. Very disappointed, plus I woke up this morning with a stiff neck and sore back.
Written May 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola quisiera saber si hay visitas (backtage) en Español ?
Written July 31, 2019
Welcome to TA rip off warning. You seem to be a niche reporter.
You did NOT purchase from Lyric Opera if you used a broker. The Lyric sells its own tickets in-house. If a subscriber turns in their tickets for a performance, the box office - AT THE LYRIC - will resell them at no extra charge to anyone. Please be careful of clicking on a scalper's page. In this case you used a Ticket-master secondary market seller which is under the pseudonym of Ticket Fulfillment. Lyric Opera does not have, never has had, a contract with TM. Go only to the lyric's web site.
Written March 20, 2017
I was the out of town guest for the person who purchased the ticket.
Written March 25, 2017
where are the best seats for a concert performance
Written April 11, 2015
Depends on personal preference. Sound is excellent everywhere.If you want to see faces, you have to be on the main floor near the front or use opera glasses. On the main floor, do not get too close. If you have long legs or are a short person who cannot see over others, row AA is nice as there is a space in front of it. My personal favorites are the back box seats. They are more pricey, but in the winter you can hang your coat...easy egress...close to washrooms and beverages. I have also been in the balconies...be forewarned that if you have vertigo, the highest balcony can be a bit dicey. Also if you are short, your view might be impeded a bit by the railing if you are high up in the first row or two. One friend loves the highest balcony front area because he can see into the pit. If you want to see the whole stage for choreography, you need to be up a bit.
Written April 12, 2015
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