Photo Flash: First Look at Eric Owens, Adina Aaron and More in Lyric Opera's PORGY AND BESS

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess,conducted by Ward Stare in a revival of the acclaimed production from renowned director Francesca Zambello. It opened on Monday, November 17, and continues with 13 performances through Saturday, December 20. Performance dates are Nov. 17, 19, Dec. 2, 5, 8, 13, 16, and 20 at 7:30pm; and Nov. 23, 26, 28, Dec. 11 and 18 at 2pm. Check out a first look at the production below!

Hailed by innumerable critics as the greatest American opera, George Gershwin's masterpiece of 1935 has lyrics by Ira Gershwin (the composer's brother) and Dorothy Heyward, and a libretto by Mrs. Heyward's husband, DuBose Heyward. The opera is based on the 1927 Broadway play Porgy by Mr. and Mrs. Heyward and Mr. Heyward's own novel of the same name, written in 1924.

Porgy and Bess is conducted by Ward Stare and directed by Francesca Zambello. Peter J. Davison is set designer, Paul Tazewell is costume designer, Mark McCullough is lighting designer, Michael Black is chorus master, and Denni Sayers is choreographer and associate director.

Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi is a current member and Gwendolyn Brown is an alumna of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, Lyric's premier artist-development program that is currently celebrating its 40th season.

For tickets and information call (312) 827-5600 or go to lyricopera.org/porgy. Watch video and read articles about this production at lyricopera.org/InsidePorgy. Follow the conversation on Twitter: #LyricPorgy.

The Nov. 17 opening night performance will be broadcast live on 98.7WFMT and streamed on wfmt.com starting at 7:15pm. For those listening to the broadcast, live mobile titles will be available at lyricoperalive.org.

Lyric Opera presentation. Generous sponsors are the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust, The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, Cherryl T. Thomas and Ardmore Associates, and Roberta L. and Robert J. Washlow, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Production owned by Washington National Opera.

Operagoers can also enjoy the exhibit DON GIOVANNI: Past to Present before curtain and during intermission of all Lyric performances. Located in the Opera Club Wine Cellar on the lower level of the Civic Opera House, this new exhibit showcases the 60-year history of Mozart's Don Giovanni at Lyric and pays tribute to Lyric's brand-new production. It is free to all ticket holders and will on display through December.

Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg

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