Name: Champion
Start: 2024-01-27T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Lyric Opera House

Organization

Stage director

James Robinson

Set designer

Allen Moyer

Lighting designer

Donald Holder

Video designer

Greg Emetaz

Choreographer

Camille A Brown

Costume designer

Montana Levi Blanco

Conductor

Enrique Mazzola

Chorus master

Michael Black

Singer

Justin Austin

Kid Emile Griffith

Whitney Morrison

Emelda Griffith

Martin Luther Clark

Luis Rodrigo Griffith

Paul Groves

Howie Albert

Others

Lyric Opera of Chicago Chorus

Lyric Opera of Chicago

The Metropolitan Opera

Orchestra

Lyric Opera Orchestra

Leroy Davis

Benny Paret

Meredith Arwady

Kathy Hagan

Krysty Swann

Cousin Blanche

Ian Rucker

Young Man in a Bar

Benny Kid Paret

Meroe Khalia Adeeb

Sadie Donastrog Griffith

Reginald Smith Jr

Emile Griffith

Naya James

Little Emile

Larry Yando

Ring Announcer

Emily Mwila

Lucia Paret

Mano Alfaro

Cameo T. Humes

Sankara Harouna

enska

Champion

Chicago

United States

Lyric Opera House

Private

Public

Matias Vergara Moyano

Approved

Champion Blanchard

Lyric Opera of Chicago welcomes Champion, the first opera written by composer Terence Blanchard. Based on a true story and featuring a libretto by Michael Cristofer; the drama unfolds in what composer Terence Blanchard calls “an opera in jazz.” Welterweight boxer Emile Griffith is tortured by the complex realities of his life: decades-long guilt from defeating a challenger in the ring, who died from Griffith’s blows; and desperately conflicted feelings regarding his own sexuality. James Robinson’s production arrives in Chicago with a remarkable cast. Joining Lyric favorites Reginald Smith, Jr., Whitney Morrison, and Paul Groves is Justin Austin, a brilliant new star who triumphed in Fire Shut Up in My Bones, with Music Director Enrique Mazzola leading the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Blanchard's CHAMPION

Take a first look as baritone Justin Austin (Young Emile) steps into the ring during a promotional photoshoot for Lyric Opera's upcoming presentation of Terence Blanchard and Michael Cristofer's CHAMPION.

FIRST LOOK: Photoshoot for Blanchard's CHAMPION

Lyric Opera of Chicago welcomes Champion, the first opera written by composer Terence Blanchard. Based on a true story and featuring a libretto by Michael Cristofer; the drama unfolds in what composer Terence Blanchard calls “an opera in jazz.” Welterweight boxer Emile Griffith is tortured by the complex realities of his life: decades-long guilt from defeating a challenger in the ring, who died from Griffith’s blows; and desperately conflicted feelings regarding his own sexuality. James Robinson’s production arrives in Chicago with a remarkable cast. Joining Lyric favorites Eric Owens, Whitney Morrison, and Paul Groves is Justin Austin, a brilliant new star who triumphed in Fire Shut Up in My Bones, with Music Director Enrique Mazzola leading the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

English

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