Lyric Opera of Chicago’s reimagined season features virtual and drive-thru events

Lyric Opera of Chicago canceled its 2020 mainstage season due to COVID-19 mandated shutdowns of large public gatherings. But there’s much ado on the horizon.

Anthony Freud, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s president, general director and CEO, on Thursday announced an alternative series of “virtual concerts, new works, master classes, an original web series and an in-person immersive experience.”

The highlight of the programming is the April 2021 drive-thru experience “Twilight: Gods,” inspired by The Richard Wagner’s opera “Götterdämmerung,” conceived in partnership with Michigan Opera Theatre and helmed by that company’s newly appointed artistic director and Chicagoan Yuval Sharon. The hourlong experience is part live performance, part art installation during which audiences will navigate a large parking garage in their own vehicles “with sets of discrete scenes interpreted by singers, small instrumental groups and actors.” The program will feature a mix of live and pre-recorded elements sung in English.

Other highlights include:

— Breaking Down the Score: “‘Attila’ with Maestro Enrique Mazzola” — An original web series starring Enrique Mazzola, Lyric’s music director designate. Each episode features a personal interpretation and reading of one of the 12 musical numbers of Verdi’s opera, “Attila.” (Premiering Oct. 2020)

Master Classes with Sir Andrew Davis — Lyric’s music director shares a behind-the-scenes look at operatic training with members of the Ryan Opera Center Ensemble. (Premiering Oct. 2020)

“Attila” Highlights in Concert: Enrique Mazzola leads world-renowned principal artists — soprano Tamara Wilson, tenor Matthew Polenzani, baritone Quinn Kelsey, and bass-baritone Christian Van Horn — in a performance of piano-accompanied excerpts from the work. The performance will also feature members of the Lyric Opera Chorus. (Premiering at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 on Lyric’s YouTube channel and Facebook page)

For more information, visit lyricopera.org.