Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra
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Nominated “Best Opera Orchestra” by the International Opera Awards 2018, the Lyric Opera Orchestra has been a vital and integral part of Lyric Opera of Chicago since the company’s founding and first performances of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in February of 1954. 2021-2022 marks the Lyric Opera Orchestra's 67th season, performing works by Verdi, Mozart, Donizetti, Puccini, Catan, Mazzoli, Vavrek, Blanch
02/21/2026
The Soloists of the Lyric Opera Orchestra – Part 1
We just wrapped an incredible double run of Salome and Così fan tutte.
From seven veils and full throttle Strauss drama to Mozart plotting, disguises, and romantic chaos… let’s just say our emotional range has been getting a workout. One minute it’s psychological intensity and shimmering orchestration, the next it’s “who is in love with whom and why are we all pretending?”
Opera keeps us on our toes.
Now the company is on a two week hiatus before we begin rehearsals for Madame Butterfly and El último sueño de Frida y Diego.
The Lyric schedule may be quiet for a moment…
…but our musicians are not. The artistry never stops!
Follow our adventures over the next two weeks as our musicians trade the pit for premieres, stages, podiums, and probably a few heroic practice sessions in between.
First, let’s travel south of the loop.
First violinist Heather Wittels is bringing a brand new violin concerto by Chicago composer Shawn E. Okpebholo into the world: The Sky Between. This three movement work, Clockwork, Continuum, and Cronos, was commissioned especially for her and premieres February 28 at 8:00 PM at Mandel Hall at the University of Chicago.
She’ll perform it with the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestra Barbara Schubert.
Yes, a world premiere.
Yes, we are incredibly proud.
Yes, you should absolutely go.
Heather Wittels has built a vibrant career both on and off the opera stage and she’s a vibrant presence in the Chicago musical scene. She joined the Lyric Orchestra in the fall of 2009 after spending a year at the New World Symphony. In addition to her work at Lyric, she serves on the Artist Faculty at Roosevelt University and is the Director of Chamber Music at the University of Chicago, her primary role outside the opera house. During the summers, she heads to Europe as Concertmaster of the AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz, Austria.
Bravo Heather!
More Soloists of the Lyric Opera Orchestra coming soon.
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