Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the leading opera companies in North America. It was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1954 and originally called the Lyric Theatre of Chicago. It received its present name during a reorganization of the company in 1956. The Lyric performs in the Civic Opera House. The auditorium seats an audience of 3,563, making it the second largest opera house in the United States after the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, New York.
The Lyric was co-founded by Carol Fox, Lawrence Kelly, and Nicola Rescigno. Fox was the general manager from 1954 to 1980. She was succeeded by Ardis Krainik (1981-1997), when the title became general director, followed by William Mason (1997-2011) and Anthony Freud (2011- ). Bruno Bartoletti served as principal conductor from 1964 to 1999. Sir Andrew Davis was principal conductor and music director from 2000 to 2020. The Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola became music director in 2021.
In 1973, the Lyric Opera established a training center for young opera singers. It was called the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists from 1981 to 2006, when its name was changed to the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center.
