Performances take place from April 27 th-29 th, and Lowry will join Kander in pre-concert talks about bringing The Giverto life through music. Let’s face it, the story is SO operatic.” Although written 20 years ago, The Giver is still relevant with its important themes of individuality, diversity, and hope in society. Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Joffrey Ballet will take turns performing on the Lyric Opera House stage for the first time in 2021-22, as the two major companies return to live, in-person. “Project Opera students are making the story of The Giver take shape in the rich, musical landscape crafted by Susan Kander in a way that reading it alone cannot.

“Nothing can spark a life-long passion for musical creation like the experience of working with a composer on a production written that you yourself will perform,” elaborates music director Dale Kruse. Based on the award-winning Lois Lowry novel and featuring Kander’s own libretto, The Giver is part of Minnesota Opera’s “Project Opera”* which provides children and youth with hands-on experience in creating an opera, working with a living composer, and the opportunity to perform the opera in a fully-staged professional production. In April, The Giver receives an encore by the Minnesota Opera with its own new production directed by Octavio Cardenas and conducted by Dale Kruse. Chicago Opera Theaters Encore Society is an inspiring group of forward-thinking opera lovers who want to support the future of theatrically thrilling. In January, Susan Kander’s opera The Giver successfully premiered at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

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