First Sundays at 7:00 pm
2024/25 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 and recognized as one of the premier programs of its kind in the world, the Ryan Opera Center celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2024/25.
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
Tenor Travon D. Walker, Baritone Sankara Harouna, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
May 4, 2025, 7:00 pm
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.
Soprano Gemma Nha, Tenor Daniel Espinal, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
February 2, 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.
Chi-Yuan Lin Conducts Artists from the Ryan Opera Center and Members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra
January 5, 2025
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 Lucy Baker, Baritone Finn Sagal, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
December 1, 2024
We head into the Winter season with recital full of cozy and chilly music.
Soprano Adia Evans, Baritone Ian Rucker, Baritone Finn Sagal, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
November 3, 2024
A recital of baritone and soprano favorites with some surprises are in store for our next Ryan Opera Center program.
Mezzo-Soprano Sophia Maekawa and Pianist Michael Banwarth
October 6, 2024
Our 2024/25 Ryan Opera Center Recital Series opens with a musical journey featuring second-year Ensemble members Japanese-American mezzo-soprano Sophia Maekawa and pianist Michael Banwarth.
Conductor Donald Lee III, Tenor Travon D. Walker, and Members of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra
September 1, 2024
Ryan Opera Center Conductor Donald Lee III and tenor Travon D. Walker are joined by members of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra members in music by two American contemporary composers Jonathan Bingham and Damien Geter and one of Tchaikovsky's most popular works Serenade for Strings.
Mezzo-Soprano Sophia Maekawa, Bass Wm. Clay Thompson, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
August 4, 2024
Join us for a recital of eclectic songs with mezzo-soprano Sophia Maekawa and bass Wm. Clay Thompson.
Tenor Ryan Capozzo, Baritone Laureano Quant, Pianist Michael Banwarth, and Lyric Opera Orchestra String Quartet
July 7, 2024
Tenor Ryan Capozzo will be joined by string members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra for Ian Venables' Invite, to Eternity and Samuel Barber's Dover Beach. Baritone Laureano Quant along with pianist Michael Banwarth will perform music by Jules Massenet, Jaime León, and Frederico Moreno Torroba.
Special: Ryan Opera Center Rising Stars in Concert
June 9, 2024, 5:00 pm
A showcase performance by The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center 2023/24 Ensemble with the Lyric Opera Orchestra conducted by Stefano Sarzani.
Soprano Lindsey Reynolds, Mezzo-Soprano Lucy Baker, Mezzo-Soprano Sophia Maekawa, Baritone Ian Rucker, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
June 2, 2024
In her final year at the Ryan Opera Center, soprano Lindsey Reynolds says goodbye in this recital with solo arias and duets.
Conductor Donald Lee III, Tenor Travon D. Walker, and Members of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra
May 5, 2024
Ryan Opera Center Conductor Donald Lee III and tenor Travon D. Walker are joined by members of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra members in music by two American contemporary composers Jonathan Bingham and Damien Geter and one of Tchaikovsky's most popular works Serenade for Strings.
Mezzo-Soprano Sophia Maekawa, Bass Wm. Clay Thompson, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
April 7, 2024
Join us for a recital of eclectic songs with mezzo-soprano Sophia Maekawa and bass Wm. Clay Thompson.
Tenor Ryan Capozzo, Baritone Laureano Quant, Pianist Michael Banwarth, and Lyric Opera Orchestra String Quartet
March 3, 2024
Tenor Ryan Capozzo will be joined by string members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra for Ian Venables' Invite, to Eternity and Samuel Barber's Dover Beach. Baritone Laureano Quant along with pianist Michael Banwarth will perform music by Jules Massenet, Jaime León, and Frederico Moreno Torroba.
Soprano Kathryn Henry, Tenor Alejandro Luévanos, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
February 4, 2024
Kathryn Henry and Alejandro Luévanos are joined by pianist Michael Banwarth for a program with works by Claude Debussy and Gustav Mahler. We will also hear Alejandro in a song from Amadeo Vives’ passionate zarzuela Doña Francisquita and Kathryn will perform Richard Strauss’ glorious and transcendent Four Last Songs.
Pianists Michael Banwarth and Donald Lee III
January 7, 2024
The Ryan Opera Center pianists are featured in this all-instrumental program with works from JS Bach, Florence Price, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, and Frédéric Chopin.
Mezzo-Soprano Lucy Baker, Bass Ron Dukes, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
December 3, 2023
Songs inspired by the sea are featured in this recital.
Baritone Ian Rucker, Bass-Baritone Christopher Humbert, Jr., and Pianist Michael Banwarth
November 5, 2023
Music for low voices are featured in this wide-raging recital. With music by Gustav Mahler, Stephen Sondheim, H. Leslie Adams, and Cole Porter.
Tenor Travon D. Walker, Baritone Laureano Quant, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
October 1, 2023
Our recital features music from around the world including Italy, Germany, the US, and Spain. With works by Margaret Bonds, Ben Moore, Paolo Tosti, Richard Strauss, and Lerner and Loewe.