Lyric Unlimited And Lyric Opera of Chicago Present Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD, 3/24

Lyric Opera of Chicago and Lyric Unlimited are proud to present the Chicago premiere of a jazz-infused operatic event, Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD. Directed by Ron Daniels, this 90-minute chamber opera by Daniel Schnyder and Bridgette A. Wimberly explores the extraordinary life of legendary jazz saxophonistCharlie Parker.

Tickets are now on sale for Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD on March 24 at 7:30 p.m. and March 26 at 2 p.m. at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph Street, Chicago). Tickets start at $35 and are available at lyricopera.org/yardbird or by calling 312-827-5600.

Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD, based on the story of celebrated saxophonist and bebop artist Charlie Parker (1920-1955), is an electrifying fusion of opera and jazz. The New York Times called it "a 90-minute, swift-paced chamber opera with a pulsing, jazz-infused score" before it went on to become the first opera performed at New York's famed Apollo Theater. Set in the renowned New York City jazz club Birdland, the opera takes place in the days after Parker's death, and stars tenor Lawrence Brownlee as the "Yardbird" himself. In that empty twilight between life and death, tortured jazzman Charlie Parker composes his final masterpiece, revisiting the inspirations, demons, and women who fueled his creative genius.

Angela Brown sings the role of Parker's mother, Addie, with Krysty Swann, Rachel Sterrenberg and Angela Mortellaro portraying his wives Rebecca, Chan, and Doris. Ryan Opera Center alumnus Will Liverman sings the role of Dizzy Gillespie, a fellow jazz great, and Ryan Opera Center alumna Julie Miller portrays the "Baroness of Jazz," Baroness Nica.

Kelly Kuo conducts a 16-piece orchestra with music by Daniel Schnyder and libretto by Bridgette A. Wimberly. The production is performed in English with projectEd English texts.

Before each performance, there will be a 30-minute pre-opera talk with opera expert Jesse Gram and jazz historian Neil Tesser. Following the opera, audience members are invited to enjoy a performance of Parker's music by members of Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic featuring Rajiv Halim (alto sax).

"It's a thrill to be presenting a new opera with a story and music that I know will have deep resonance for audiences in Chicago," saysCayenne Harris, Lyric Unlimited director. "The story of the virtuosic saxophonist and bebop pioneer Charlie Parker is not one you will soon forget, especially when sung by this dynamic cast."

PHOTO:Dominic M. Mercier/Opera Philadelphia

To post a comment, you must register and login.