First Sundays at 5:00 pm
2025/26 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble (Photo: Kyle Flubacker)
Members of Lyric Opera of Chicago's professional artist-development program perform in recital each month.
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center prepares emerging artists for careers in opera by providing unique, comprehensive training and performing experience. Established in 1974 the Ryan Opera Center is recognized as one of the premier programs of its kind in the world.
Starting in October, this unique monthly Recital Series showcases Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members performing a wide variety of repertoire. Each program includes one or more selections by composers of color. Special thanks to Julie and Roger Baskes for their ongoing sponsorship of the series. To find out more about the Ryan Opera Center visit: lyricopera.org/ryanoperacenter
There are no upcoming broadcasts at the moment.
The Diary of One Who Disappeared by Leoš Janáček
September 6, 2026
Ryan Opera Center tenor Travon Walker along with ensemble members will perform Leoš Janáček's song cycle The Diary of One Who Disappeared. Told in 22 songs, the piece tells the story of love so powerful it overrides social boundaries.
Soprano Adia Evans, Soprano Emily Richter, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
August 2, 2026
Music of Richard Strauss is paired with Samuel Barber in this delightful recital from the Ryan Opera Center.
Baritone Sihao Hu, Bass-Baritone Benjamin R. Sokol, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
July 5, 2026
Opera favorites, some Chinese and Yiddish songs, and music by Cole Porter is in store for you on our next recital.
The Diary of One Who Disappeared by Leoš Janáček
June 7, 2026
Ryan Opera Center tenor Travon Walker along with ensemble members will perform Leoš Janáček's song cycle The Diary of One Who Disappeared. Told in 22 songs, the piece tells the story of love so powerful it overrides social boundaries.
Rising Stars in Concert 2026
May 17, 2026, 3:00 pm
A showcase performance by The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center 2024/25 Ensemble with the Lyric Opera Orchestra conducted by Enrique Mazzola. The program includes selections from Donizetti’s Viva la mamma.
Soprano Emily Richter, Mezzo-Soprano Camille Robles, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
May 3, 2026
Spanish zarzuela and Puerto Rican art songs are paired with French and German favorites in out next recital from the Ryan Opera Center.
Soprano Adia Evans, Soprano Emily Richter, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
April 5, 2026
Music of Richard Strauss is paired with Samuel Barber in this delightful recital from the Ryan Opera Center.
Chi-Yuan Lin Conducts Artists from the Ryan Opera Center and Members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra
March 1, 2026
Ryan Opera Center Conductor, Chi-Yuan Lin, showcases her talent with an exciting recital featuring members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and artists from the Ryan Opera Center.
Mezzo-Soprano Alexis Peart, Tenor Travon D. Walker, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
February 1, 2026
Our Recital begins with music of Handel and Mozart as we’ll hear selections from the operas Semele, Ariodante, and Così fan tutte. Later, Alexis Peart will perform Alma Mahler’s exquisite “Fünf Lieder” and Travon D. Walker will sing a selections from Robert Schumann’s beautiful “Liederkreis”. Michael Banwarth joins on piano.
Tenor Daniel Luis Espinal, Baritone Sankara Harouna, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
January 4, 2026
Our recital highlights the artistry of three exceptional ensemble members of the Ryan Opera Center. In works by Tchaikovsky, Damien Geter, and Alejandro Fernández.
Baritone Sihao Hu, Bass-Baritone Benjamin R. Sokol, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
December 7, 2025
Opera favorites, some Chinese and Yiddish songs, and music by Cole Porter is in store for you on our next recital.
Soprano Adia Evans, Bass-Baritone Christopher Humbert, Jr., and Pianist Michael Banwarth
November 2, 2025
Music from operas by Mozart, Strauss, and Verdi are paired with the great songsmith's of the 20th century Ricky Ian Gordon, Stephen Schwartz, and H. Leslie Adams.
Soprano Adia Evans, Baritone Finn Sagal, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
October 5, 2025
The 2024/25 Ryan Opera Center Recital Series opens with a musical bang with soprano Adia Evans, baritone Finn Sagal, and pianist Michael Banwarth featured in works by Tchaikovsky and Verdi.
Baritone Ian Rucker, Bass-Baritone Christopher Humbert, Jr., and Pianist Michael Banwarth
September 7, 2025
Music for baritone and bass-baritone is in store for our next Ryan Opera Center Recital. Music by Schubert, Poulenc, and Korngold are heard. As well as music from William Grant Still's opera Highway One USA, the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and a hit song written by Stevie Wonder.
Soprano Gemma Nha, Tenor Daniel Espinal, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
August 3, 2025
In this delightful recital, soprano Gemma Nha and tenor Daniel Espinal will be heard in works by Agustín Lara, Francesco Santoliquido, Richard Strauss, and Ambroise Thomas.
Tenor Travon D. Walker and Pianist Michael Banwarth
July 6, 2025
We conclude the 2024-25 Ryan Opera Center Recital Series with an exceptionally varied program pairing tenor Travon D. Walker and pianist Michael Banwarth.
Mezzo-Soprano Lucy Baker, Baritone Finn Sagal, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
June 1, 2025
The Ryan Opera Center presents a recital full of cozy and chilly music.
Tenor Travon D. Walker, Baritone Sankara Harouna, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
May 4, 2025
Arias from the Classical and bel canto periods are mixed with American songbook favorites and gospel music in a recital featuring tenor Travon D. Walker and baritone Sankara Harouna.
Baritone Ian Rucker, Bass-Baritone Christopher Humbert, Jr., and Pianist Michael Banwarth
April 6, 2025
Music for baritone and bass-baritone is in store for our next Ryan Opera Center Recital. Music by Schubert, Poulenc, and Korngold are heard. As well as music from William Grant Still's opera Highway One USA, the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and a hit song written by Stevie Wonder.
Soprano Emily Richter, Mezzo-Soprano Lucy Baker, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
March 2, 2025
In this recital we welcome first-year Ensemble soprano Emily Richter, and second-year mezzo-soprano Lucy Baker who will be collaborating with pianist Michael Banwarth. They will be heard in works by Samuel Barber, Florence Price, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Sergei Rachmaninov, and H.T. Burleigh.
