Lyric Opera 2025-2026 Issue 9 - Madama Butterfly

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 62 Choose your own adventure! Have you ever wanted to stand on Lyric Opera of Chicago’s grand stage? Peek into the orchestra pit? Try your hand at costume design? This is your chance! On April 26, the doors to the opera house will swing wide open, welcoming visitors to Explore Your Lyric, an immersive, hands-on event where visitors choose their own adventure by navigating through a variety of special opportunities and performances. “ Explore Your Lyric is all about creativity, curiosity, and fun,” says Jill LeCesne Potter, Senior Director of Learning Programs for Lyric Unlimited. “It’s a day to step into the roles of designer, musician, performer, and see what makes opera such a thrilling, collaborative art form.” For this edition of the annual, family friendly event, Lyric will pull back the curtain on nearly all aspects of the art form, allowing guests of all ages to journey through the opera house at their own pace as they explore the artistry that brings productions to life. The interactive event puts visitors at the center of the action through hands-on activities and behind-the-scenes access, ranging from costume and scenic displays, make-and-take art projects, and DJ sets. And of course, it’s not a true experience at the opera house without a live performance. This year, Explore Your Lyric will feature two 20-minute performances of Katie: The Strongest of the Strong , a bold new opera for young audiences that celebrates the life and legacy of circus strongwoman Katie Sandwina. This season, the production has toured the city as the main offering of Lyric Unlimited’s Opera in the Neighborhood s program, which provides complimentary performances to school groups, close to where they live and attend class. Composed by Faye Chiao with a libretto by Anton Dudley, Katie: The Strongest of the Strong introduces young Children can get their face painted — and get up close to the orchestra pit. By Janie Ragsdale The annual Explore Your Lyric event, coming April 26, invites audiences of all ages to step into the world of opera. Kyle Flubacker