Bel Canto - Creating an American Opera from Scratch

Early in 2012, Lyric Opera of Chicago announced a major new opera commission to receive its world premiere during the 2015--16 season. Based on Ann Patchett's award-winning novel and inspired by the 1996--97 hostage crisis in Lima, Peru, Bel Canto presents the character of Roxanne Coss—an American opera singer who is caught up in the events and emerges as a symbol for the power of music in forging unexpected emotional bonds. The new opera will be the collaboration of acclaimed Peruvian-born composer Jimmy López and Pulitzer Prize--winning Cuban American playwright Nilo Cruz. Join them as they discuss both their careers and their creative process with opera dramaturg Colin Ure.

This program is presented in partnership with Lyric Opera of Chicago.

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