Lyric Opera of Chicago

I visited Lyric Opera of Chicago a week ago to see "The Nutcracker" with a few of my colleagues. It was my first time there, and I was very impressed. It is a very beautiful Opera house, amazing decor, very clean and spacious. Even the employees there were dressed in suits and white gloves and everyone was so helpful and friendly. The beautiful tree in the middle of the hallway looks spectacular, having all the people wanting to take pictures! There is a bar with drinks and a coffee stand available if someone wants a drink or a hot coffee. I would definitely recommend Lyric Opera of Chicago and would go there again and again!

My friend and I visited this place a few days ago and we had a great time here! We saw the nutcracker ballet performance, and it was so brilliant!!! I haven’t seen anything like that before. We reached ahead of time and spent some time outside before getting into the hall. They had a very beautiful Christmas tree here! We were able to get tickets to the ballet performance a few hours before it started.

I've been coming to Lyric for years, and I don't think I've ever had a bad time. The venue is stunningly beautiful, and easily accessible from Union Station. The acoustics are pretty good for a hall of its size, and I love the variety of offerings they put on (from classics to contemporary and everything in between). Ticket prices vary widely, so you can either spend a nice night out or find a seat on a budget. It's a basic thing to say that a world-class opera company is a good time, but I'll say it anyways.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is a true cultural gem, and I find myself returning often for both opera and ballet performances. The venue itself is stunning, with its grand architecture and elegant ambiance, creating an unforgettable experience every time. The productions are world-class, with incredible talent and breathtaking staging that brings each story to life. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to opera and ballet, the Lyric Opera offers a magical escape into the arts that’s simply unparalleled.

Loved the Chicago version of the nutcracker. So original and if you know your history there were many ties to the founding of the city and the immigrant experience. Wonderful to see Chicago’s history honored with world class artists and dancers. Spectacular performance.

We came to see the nutcracker expecting a beautiful elegant ballet. However they changed the original show so much I don’t even think it deserves to be called the nutcracker. It’s set in 1800 Chicago now and the girl is raised by a single mom and they’re very poor. There is very little actual ballet. It’s mostly modern dancing and acting. Why is there a cowboy??? The venue is beautiful but the show was below average!

Amazing Experience!!! The concert was The Puccini Heroines by Sondra Radvanovsky with the conductor Enrique Mazzola. She is incredible singer. We enjoyed every moment of it. If you’ll have a chance to visit Chicago - don’t miss it!!!

We absolutely loved Verdi’s Rigoletto! Bravo 👏 What an amazing performance 🎭 from singing, orchestra, the whole building and vibe. Must visit and treat all of your sense to a delight. La Donne è mobile 🎼

We had the pleasure of seeing The Nutcracker performed by the Joffrey Ballet at the Lyric Opera House, and it was nothing short of phenomenal. From our seats on the main floor, we had an excellent view of the stage. The opera house itself is stunning, with its ornate design creating a grand and elegant atmosphere. The seats were also comfortable, even for the over two-hour show, adding to the overall experience. A few tips for your visit: While the doors open 1.5 hours before the show, arriving 30-45 minutes beforehand is plenty of time to grab drinks, snacks, check your coat, and use the restroom. Downstairs there is a bar, photos and memorabilia from past plays, and seating areas downstairs with a live feed of the stage, where you can watch the crew setting up. Don't forget to bring a few dollars for tips for the coat check and bars. If you order a soda, they have to pour the drinks into cups with lids, which are allowed in the main theater. However, they will give you the remaining soda in the cans and you will be stopped if you try to bring it in.

You would think that with me being married to a police sargent I would be better prepared for an emotional roller coaster. I laughed, I cried and I sang along to a song or two. Beautiful presentation of Blue; the cast was amazing! The story was about a black police officer that got married, started a family (son). His son was later killed by a white police officer. Great way for members of the audience to be brave and have real conversations about the climate of policing.

I finally got the chance to watch The Nutcracker at the Lyric House, and it was pure holiday magic. Beautifully done! The dancers were captivating, the set design was magical, and the music was perfection. The Lyric House is the perfect venue for this holiday classic. Don't miss it! Such a cozy spot to soak in the season. Totally worth it!

Lyric Opera is one of the iconic buildings in Chicago. The theater is beautiful and exquisite and they have amazing opera shows. The production of all the shows I've seen is superb and measures to be one of the best in the country and the world in my opinion. The theater is renowned and I believe everyone should experience going to a show at least once. The shows offered are combination of classic and also new production operas. They also offer promotions/discounted tickets for their shows to encourage younger crowds to attend and experience an opera show.

The costumes beautiful. The performances amazing. The building timeless. I loved my experience at the opera. While they do offer valet during Sunday matinees and evening performances, there's ample parking in other nearby buildings. Valet at Lyric is $35. If you request it in person on the day of the performance, you have to pay in cash. Come dressed up or don't. While a lot of people come dressed to the nines, not everybody does. I wore a floor length gown and was glad I did when I saw the throngs of people who certainly dressed for a fancy evening out, but I saw plenty of people who were in smart casual attire. The opera is for everybody. Students, families, new audience members, seasoned audience members, and people of every background

A full enjoyment of Chicago's outstanding cultural scene is incomplete without several visits to the Lyric Opera building and experiencing the superb talents of the singers, orchestra, set & costume designs, and more. Truly world class! The interior of the building is awe-inspiring, to say the least. In my book, the Lyric experience beats the Met (NYC) many times over, although admittedly the audience in NY is better dressed.

Our box seats on the mezzanine level had excellent sight lines and we were able to view the entire stage. The building is a beautiful mix of art nouveau and art deco. The ladies room on the Dress Circle level (where we dined at the Florian) and the Mezzanine level had ample stalls and sinks. Our box had an anteroom before entering the box. The chairs were ok, not the most comfy. We were seated in our box when another couple with a person in a wheelchair were dismayed at their seats (which would require their chair to be perched on a step. They left and I presume found better seats. I also saw someone fall down the steps from the mezzanine (dark velvet steps). Friendly and helpful ushers.

Always a fascinating time here at the Lyric. Daughter of the Regiment was hilarious and the singing was absolutely superb! The Flying Dutchman was captivating and the choruses were spectacular! Can't wait to see Aida and Mozart's Requiem this spring.

This could have been a memorable time for my father and I. The theater is beautiful and grand. However. I have never in my life seen or been yelled at when showing my ticket to the ticket takers. So unprofessional and disrespectful. There was chaos, no organization at all. There was an older man and woman to the right accepting only printed tickets. Nutcracker- Friday the 15th They just yelled, "NO MAM!!!!" " KEEP GOING I TOLD ALL OF YOU ALREADY!!" ???! Wtf .. there was no sign! No order. I'm not from Chicago. I don't know if this is normal or acceptable. But they were yelling at several other people as well. What could have been five star worthy night.. with people that actually have manners. Disappointed. If a manager sees this. Please talk to your people!

I never had a chance to attend the Nutcracker because I COULD NOT FIND the Lyric Opera parking garage on lower Wacker. A waste of two tickets, and parking fees because getting there is IMPOSSIBLE. NEVER AGAIN. What a waste of time and $$.

Premier venue for music, dance and performance. One of my favorite places in the city! Joffrey Ballet's new home.

My friend and I attended the Joffrey Ballet The Nutcracker on Saturday and I was blown away with not only the service but the ballet was amazing. We had seats on the mezzanine level and I must say...these were better than main floor. The view was spectacular! Bravo to the entire cast, security and ushers for a well enjoyed evening.

Do you want to be harassed by their donation line for the rest of your life because you went to the opera one time months ago? Do not give these people your real contact info. I have requested more than once to not be contacted. It is also sketchy and unprofessional that they never leave a message and you cannot reach them when you call the number back. It is just a full voicemail box. If I bought a ticket, that was my donation. Stop calling. I contacted them yet again recently. I had to block their phone number at this point. I will not be attending the Lyric Opera again. The opera it self was fine, except for the requirement that you cannot even have water in the theater. Some people need to keep water with them for medical reasons and I have never seen this requirement anywhere else. A bit ridiculous.

Wow. I haven't ever reviewed Lyric Opera? It's time to rectify that oversight. Lyric Opera is a gem. I think the first performance I saw here was Tristan and Isolde, that Wagnerian epoch (nearly four hours). I've also seen the operas Tosca and Macbeth, and since they started staging musical theatre here I've seen Show Boat, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, and Carousel as well... and possibly My Fair Lady, or others I've forgotten. What's really special about seeing a musical theatre production here is that the Lyric stage is HUGE. Show Boat is a notorious play (for many reasons), but it is a big one, and it worked well on this stage. Lyric has a large number of supernumeraries available to them as well, so when Oklahoma was staged they were able to do magical things with that production. For all the musicals, though I found it most notable with Oklahoma, the presence of a major orchestra was also a boon; they went back to very early versions of the musical and played the full overture, which was a delight. Many other theaters couldn't or wouldn't do this (not least of all because many audiences don't have the patience or attention span for it). The interior is a gorgeous example of the golden age of grand theatre. There have been several opera companies that have performed here, as Chicago has had a few in its history. In fact, a woman who was a friend of my grandparents for decades and was from the area once sung with the Chicago City Opera during the few years it was in existence. The physical space is huge, with thousands of seats and two or three balconies. I've had seats all over the place, from a few rows behind the orchestra to the highest balcony and have enjoyed each play. Acoustics are great, as one might expect, but I do think actors wear microphones. I like that they've been trying to evolve. As I write this review, I'm mad at myself for not having seen Tosca (2022) and Fire Up in my Bones (2022), both of which recently closed. They even had streaming options available! I really hope that Lyric keeps these streaming options available post-pandemic. I'll have to check out whether they are available for viewing now, as I'd love to pay to see them both. They've also done interesting collaborations, such as one with Second City I saw several years ago. I haven't yet been on a tour of this building but it's on my to-do list! Lyric is an elegant beauty of which Chicago should be proud.

This is the first time I saw Joffrey Ballet The Nutcracker yesterday. It was absolutely amazing! I would definitely recommend going to see this at least once in your lifetime. The dancers are from around the world, they are the best of the best. I would love to make this an annual event.

I am going to preface this review that our school went on a field trip to see a dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker. The kids were very excited, because a majority of our students have never experienced anything like this before. They were enamored with the dancers, orchestra, and setting. The excitement for them was off the charts, and the performance aspect of it did not disappoint. I wish that you could split the review into two different parts: performers and customer service (ushers and transportation people). The dancers and orchestra were absolutely awesome. Our school students sat there quietly watching and taking everything in. Now here is the downside of what the Lyric Opera house did. They packed the place with hundreds of school children. All of which took buses to this facility. There was no organization for the drop-off as our bus sat Wacker for at least 20 minutes not moving. Then after the bus driver dropped us off on the next block, we waited outside for 30 minutes; as we waited for some staff to tell us where we were supposed to sit. Once we entered the facility, we as a school tried to take a picture; but we were told that the ballet was going to begin, so we had to hurry up to the fifth floor. We were told that there would be time after Act 1. After Act 1 finished, our school tried to take the picture as we were directed to by the person, when we walked in. Sadly, there was a power tripping young woman, who has no idea how to talk to people. She said, "There is no time for us to take pictures, because we came for free." She then started to scream at different teachers, and she stated, "That our school would not be invited back if we don't leave immediately." Her final lie was that she claimed our bus was blocking fifty other buses for leaving the street, and our school/bus responsible for the chaos and delays outside. When we left the facility and found our bus, it was firmly parked in the middle by the curb, and not blocking any other traffic. Sadly, our bus did not move for another 30 minutes, as other buses and schools were blocking us from leaving. So I know that this won't be read by anyone of importance at the Opera House, but she was a young caucasian woman in her early 20s, blond hair, wearing a stocking cap inside a building, and rimmed glasses. This person has no idea how to handle the position that she was in, as she was on her power trip. You won't have to worry about banning our school, as you claim to have the power for; as your actions have left a lasting impact on our staff, parents, and students. It only takes a minute to act like a human being to others, but you took a wonderful experience and ruined it for these students.

Last night, I pulled up in front of this place to pick up 2 friends who had attended a performance of "Frankenstein", and I spotted a car leaving a parking spot along the center median. So I pulled up, put on my flasher and began to back up when a valet ran across the street and blocked me from backing up. I told him to get out of the way so I could back into the parking space but he blocked me until another valet pulled a car into that parking spot. Then both of them just walked away. This spot is not reserved for valet, it's city street parking for anyone. What they did was horrible. Then when people exited the performance, they pulled up valet cars and double parked on Wacker Drive causing a massive backup. An absolute pandemonium of illegally double parked valet driven cars blocking other cars trying to exit. This was just a nightmare! Never coming back here again.

My sister and I came to the opera for the first time to see Macbeth. The Lyric is such a pretty building, the theatre is gorgeous. We appreciated that the staff out front was taking COVID procautions seriously, matching IDs to vax cards and enforcing the mask policy. It made us feel better about our first time to a crowd event indoors. The staff was really helpful, and we had a good view. The sound quality was good, and we had a lovely first experience.

Went to the Lyric Opera to watch the Nutcracker performed by the Joffrey ballet - Outstanding!!

Fiddler on the Roof. What can I say? Phenomenal! The actors and dancers are amazing. I know the performance ends tomorrow, but it's so worth the chance to see this live, in person. We had great seats, even in the fourth balcony. I can't say enough about this performance.

Great place to go see a show and expand my artistic horizons! Added bonus lots of women's bathrooms!!!

This is a nice building from the beginning of the last century. I like the interior. Also, great shows, however, I visited just one ballet "Don Quixote" and it was really good. Visit opera when you have a chance.

It's pretty in its own right but there's a certain stodginess to its decor that reminds me of an uptight British aristocrat in dated attire. The acoustic and the orchestra from where I sat aisle 1 row P seat 28 was PERFECT to this untrained ear. We watch Rising Stars in Concert as far as I can surmise they were all fantastic. Special mention to their rendition of Carmens Toreador it was Spectacular!! It's just that I'm not an opera fan. I knew opera is in Italian and some French(I think) but that doesn't sink in until the second performance and noting you still have 2 hours of this.

The place gets four stars down pat because they present great performances. We went to see Tourandot today and while the primary singers were not spot on, the orchestra and chorus were magnificent. I literally got teary eyed during the final chorus, it was that good. The Lyric has been my home for 30 plus years and I love her. Overall the facility is clean and elegant, a throw back to an earlier time. They have my bubbles and you can now order in advance so your drink is waiting for you. That said, I wish they would consider renovating the space. Back in the day when I was a more frequent goer, I have box seats and was comfortable. Now that I have seen most of the performances any opera house would produced, I only go to those I really want to see. This means sitting in regular seats as a box seat may not be an open. This is when you discover that you are taller and bigger than the patrons from the 20s. There definitely isn't even room to walk pass someone in a row. And the steps are very steep...can't tell you the number of times I have seen people fall down them while sitting in the dress circle or first balcony. I would really like to see a makeover like the one that was done to the Chicago Theater. But if it doesn't happen, I will still be fan and go for my seasonal dose of live opera.

What a grand old beauty the Lyric Opera of Chicago is! We are so lucky to have her in our magnificent city. I have attended several live performances here - not just opera! The talent is always present and customer service is spot on. I have enjoyed my visits each time. Most recently, I I attended the Holiday Showcase for the hospitality industry. It was an enjoyable experience in the lobby area of the theater. Although it was crowed and a bit warm, all staff, vendors and attendees were is great spirits. I was also able to appreciate the gorgeous architecture inside and out.

My friends and I visited this location for a late opera show. It was a very elegant place and very organized. I would like to come again with my husband. Very nice employees.

Beautiful place, great sound and amazing acting. Was here last night for The Light in The Piazza. We were fortunate enough to get Box Seats in the center of the Mezzanine. The night was perfection. Almost felt like an opera, so good!

Amazing! How lucky we are to have this glorious opera house here in Chicago. Though austere, it does not feel stuffy, it is a friendly place...the ushers and vendors. They do have several easy to get to snack, drink, and coffee spots so you can grab something at intermission during a particularly long opera. One is allowed to bring snacks and drinks into the auditorium. The auditorium is magnificent. I'd love to hear about the history of it. The seats are quite comfortable. There are frequent and varied offerings. I've seen 2 operas, a broadway style show, and a variety "musicians of Chicago".

Wonderful world class opera. Seating has been redone leaving more leg room and comfortable seats.

Phenomenal location to see a show out of, particularly the ballet. With high vaulted ceilings and a wide stage, it's worth front row seats. Great great venue.

The sound system is wonderful ;) the opera house is beautiful. they run on time, the ushers are very friendly and helpful ! I urge everybody to support the world of art and keep it alive!!

I haven't been here in years. It was great to revisit. I had to see West Side Story before it closed. Upon entering the ticket scanner was very friendly. Went to restroom which was clean, decent. The interior was clean, beautiful. They have several costumes used in prior shows on display throughout the venue. They have bars scattered throughout. The only problem I encountered was u cannot take opened refreshments into theater. U mean I purchased an $8 beer and I have to drink it up before I can enter theater??? Not cool. That costed them a star there. Otherwise the theater is beautiful, classic, great acoustics. A landmark for sure.

I hadn't seen Fiddler on the roof since 1970. And that was at McCormick place. This production at the Lyric did my memory justice. It was fabulous! The cast was compelling and very talented! It brought me back to my childhood. What a Theatre!

Located on Wacker Drive, the Lyric Opera is divine. It is a place that houses many great masterpieces of opera from around the world. The second level has a great view of baroque architectural details including high chandeliers.

Such a beautiful and historic spot! I have been here for several events, but the most recent one was for the James Beard Awards Gala. I had excellent seats on the main floor. The outside was buzzing on the red carpet with celebrity chefs and actors/actresses. Inside the ornate style and historic elements give it an old world charm. Love this theater and have such a great time when I come here!

5/5 stars for the "Behind the Scenes" tour at Lyric Opera. I chaperoned a group trip on a weekday afternoon and we were led by guide, Randy, into all of the nooks and crannies that most people never get the opportunity to see. Think catwalk, props, costumes, make-up/wigs, dressing rooms, etc. I have a newly discovered deep appreciation for the tremendous work that goes into each production. Each production costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and the manpower it takes to execute each performance is unreal. If you have any interest in live productions; be it operas, musicals, plays, etc. and are curious about the inter workings of theater, I highly recommend a tour such as this. ***Not recommended for those who have mobility issues. There's an hour or more of walking, stairs, somewhat awkward spaces and low ceilings.*** Would definitely return.

Maybe I am just a nerd but what is better than enjoying the beautiful and epic belts of a soprano serenading you with Puccini? Pretty much nothing else. Chicago has many beautiful and culturally significant places but the Lyric Opera is above them all. I am not just pandering. All the great ones have graced Chicago with performances at the Lyric: Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, Renata Tebaldi, Maria Callas and countless others. It is the second largest opera house in North America second only to the Met. I've been to the Met plenty of times and there is still something, a certain je ne sais quoi, that makes the Lyric stand out even against NYC. I've enjoyed everything from Wagner, Puccini, Verdi, Bizet and even modern day productions such as Jesus Christ Superstar and My Fair Lady as well as productions with the Joffrey Ballet. Opera has a reputation of being a snooty and dated and let's keep it real: it is kind of true. But you know what else is true? Operas are beautifully composed pieces of music, with drama, humor and above all a glimpse into the decadent beauty of human creations and artistic abilities. Dust off your fancy shoes, put your hair up, change out of your lululemons (or keep them- the lyric is fancy but not judgy) and give opera a try. Frasier Crane would not only approve, he would be proud.

The show I saw was great but the crowd and at least one of the ushers will keep me from returning. The usher we had went out of his way to be rude with every question we asked and was too busy with that to actually do his job of escorting people to their seats and making sure there weren't squatters - we had a person in our seats who looked surprised they got caught. The drinks and snacks aren't anything special and the crowd when you leave should be studied as a sociology experiment - huge mad rush of well dressed, well to do looking people, some of whom completely disregarding traffic and the rules of waiting in line for a cab - all just to get out of there. I saw an old CEO type and his wife sprint around an elderly woman with a cane as she walked to her cab, making it the CEO's cab instead. Classy bunch. If I could go again without the staff and without the rude people I'd be there. But as I don't think that's an option I'll skip returning.

My gf Liang H. had amazing tickets to Il Domineo that she gifted to us, and it was a truly memorable experience :) Beautiful building, set design, costumes, and music. Fun people watching during intermissions. My fiance and I randomly sing out "Il Domineo" even now, weeks after seeing the opera lol. A Chicago institution :)

Came here for the Der Rosenkavalier opera during Theater Week. What a steal at $29/person for a seat that is normally $199/person! This is a gorgeous theater. The walls and ceiling have beautiful designs that contrast well with the red audience seats. The layout of the room helps project an opera singer's voice well (though it's still difficult for me personally to understand the words he or she is singing). We sat in seats B32 and B34 on the left side of the dress circle facing the stage, which were second row aisle seats. Even though the seats were slightly stagnated, my view was partially blocked whenever the people in front of us shifted around. However, the view was perfectly fine when they were still. There is a 30-minute pre-opera talk prior to the show (noted in the brochure), but we didn't see this even though we arrived 30 minutes prior to the opera start time of 6:30pm. There are two intermission periods during this 4-hour performance, but it's still best to make sure you use the bathroom before the show! You have the option to check your coat and purchase alcohol and food. Do note that the food is somewhat expensive (approx. $15 for a cold sandwich meal). You bet I stuffed my face prior to arriving. I highly recommend, especially during Theater Week!

Had a wonderful time at the Lyric Opera house. The seats in the the rear main level were pretty decent. There's a renovation project underway to update the Lyric and it's definitely worth preserving this treasure of a venue. I think to avoid the bright lights of some performances, sitting on the main level is a key - otherwise you'll be blinded temporarily during some key dramatic scenes. The traveling group of Jesus Christ Superstar was absolutely fantastic, as the entire crew had such amazing range of voices, and were so much better than the live TV performance group.

The Lyric has recently introduced high tea. Unlike other dining options, it is only available to those who are members or have purchased tickets for a show. The high tea is held in the "Mezzanine" which is a fancy way of saying a hallway. We were seated on two armless loveseats with a bunch of low tables in front of us that looked like they came from Walmart - 10 years ago. The coffee cups would be appropriate in any basic coffee shop and fortunately had a folded napkin between the cup and saucer, because no other napkins were provided. The selection of food items was embarrassing in size & quantity. The tea service consisted of a nice young man pushing a cart and handing you a sealed pouch containing your tea selection, then placing a metal teapot that belongs in a low-end Chinese restaurant on the table in front of you. This is perhaps one of the worst high teas in Chicago and particularly disappointing since one would expect a lovely experience given the elegance and glamour of the environment. We were lucky enough to speak with the woman who is part of the catering firm that manages all the food service at the Lyric. She admits not being satisfied with the quality or presentation and hopes to improve the experience. I hope so too! One more note - this was a Sunday. I was able to drop off my elderly cane-using parents in front of the door then park. However, when the performance was over, the entire length of Wacker was blocked off and traffic was permitted for valet parked cars only. We had no warning and this made it exceptionally difficult to pick up my parents. The person blocking off the street with cones understood our dilemma, but was under orders and just 'doing his job'. I'm not sure how denying handicapped access can be legal and certainly should be more prominently displayed including signage in the lobby.

Checking out the Chicago Lyric Opera has been on my to-do list for sometime now, as I've always enjoyed the performances held in Millennium Park in summer prior to Opening Night. The building itself is grand and historic, and it adds to the overall experience. There's a restaurant to the side and multiple bars to grab a drink before the show begins. The performance, Cendrillon, was spectacular and the acoustics were really impressive. I will definitely return for another show soon.

I love the Lyric! Whether its operas or musicals, I always have a wonderful time here. The lobby is gorgeous, as is the actual theatre. I've seen many shows here and most recently enjoyed Callas in Concert. Moreover, I cannot laud the NEXT program enough! If you're a student, you can take advantage of $20 tickets anywhere in the theater (even boxes!) on certain dates designated by the Lyric.

I was 16 when I wrote this review, it was actually real nice play and service. I guess I just hate the prices but that's the city I guess.

Jedediah Leland about his best friend Charlie in "Citizen Kane": "...He was always trying to prove something. The whole thing about Susie being an opera singer, that was trying to prove something." Gee, I didn't know this was the place that inspired Orson Welles to tell the tale of how Charles Foster Kane built an elaborate opera house to allow his untalented second wife Susan to sing the great operatic roles. Apparently, the real story was almost as pathetically misguided - railroad magnate Samuel Insull had this theater built for his daughter to sing after she was rejected by the Met. What a cool, ironic story... This is indeed one of my favorite places for world-class opera because it is almost as cavernous as the Met and to my ears, just as impressive acoustically. Seating has not been a great differentiator in the quality of my experience there. I have sat as close as the second row in the Orchestra section and up above in the Dress Circle. I've been enthralled in both spots. I also feel its pink-hued Art Deco interior is a better visual match for the ornate music than the more contemporary Met. I've been fortunate enough to have been there twice now, both times to see the extraordinary countertenor David Daniels perform - first in Robert Carsen's spare production of Gluck's "Orfeo ed Euridice" last year and just this past week, in David McVicar's luxuriant Glyndebourne staging of Handel's "Giulio Cesare" with Emmanuelle Haim at the baton. Both performances were mesmerizing, and I am more than happy to part with a few more shekels to go yet again. My only complaints are on the outside. First, the theater is housed in a 22-story office building, so it doesn't stand alone like most of the world's great opera houses. Second, there are very few dining options within strolling distance of the house. It just seems a shame that it doesn't represent more of a cultural and culinary hub than it does. None of this makes me want to reduce my five-star rating. It's worth braving the Chicago cold that dominates the fall-to-winter opera season just to hear the stunning voices and see the superb productions. And just so you know, opera ain't for sissies.

Phenomenally beautiful is how I would describe the interior of this building, though the exterior is equally grandiose. Its grand lobby with towering travertine columns, Art Deco railings on the grand double staircase, elegant chandeliers that cast a warm glow on the ornate ceiling, carvings and gold-painted details will leave you in awe. Rich in history, this theater underwent a renovation that was completed in 1996 and boasts 3,563 seats and is the second-largest opera auditorium in North America. I had the pleasure of seeing the opera Rigoletto here. Once inside the auditorium, I had my breath taken away again by the intricate gold detailing everywhere as well as the immense size of the auditorium. You will seem small, but feel like a privileged royal in the plush chairs. I will only say that the minor discomfort of having no leg room and feeling a bit cramped were well worth the experience. Acoustics were better than I expected but sound didn't travel as well if you were far up and back. Attendants were friendly and helpful. Drinks are served but not allowed in the auditorium. Valet parking is offered and there are parking lots in the area. There are two restaurants at the opera house that you can dine in if you choose. No matter if you're a local or a tourist, opera or architecture fan or not, you should make it a point to visit this beautiful, historic opera house.

I attended several operas and 1 ballet at Lyric Opera and even if I wasn't into a particular one, I was lucky to have the exquisite architecture to view! The people who sold drinks were friendly even though the lines could be long. I had about 10 friends who worked at Lyric and when they were short-handed on student nights I got to work passing out tickets! That was special seeing all of them dressed to the nines. One guy asked why the lights were flashing - I said just like hockey, chop chop or you will be listening from the hallway!

With awestriking architecture, beautiful interior design, and the inevitable elegance and class that oozes out of the Opera shows throughout the auditorium, Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the landmarks you must visit. The money you pay for is irrelevant to the musical experience and the memories you will make here. The overall experience made me feel like being on a cruise or at a royal ball. An unforgettable night is made possible here. I watched La Boheme at the Lyric. Although I sat towards the back of the auditorium, the seating locating did not take away much of the show. The auditorium is designed in such a way that makes it so. If you are a regular opera fan or have never gone to an opera, make your next visit Lyric Opera of Chicago. You will not be disappointed.