Lyric Opera Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Lyric Opera of Chicago. Here you will find current audition opportunities across the company.

Singers and instrumentalists wishing to receive audition information from Lyric Opera of Chicago or The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center may contact the appropriate administrators as follows:

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is pleased to announce that applications are open for the following Ensemble positions:

2025/26 Ensemble Singers 

Apply Now for 2025/26 Singers

2025/26 Ensemble singer applications are now being accepted. Applications are free and must be submitted via YAP Tracker. If you do not have a YAP Tracker account, register for free at www.yaptracker.com. 

The approximate contract dates for the 2025/26 Ensemble are May 12, 2025 through April 25, 2026 (to be confirmed), with an option for renewal as the positions are expected to have a two-year residency. Apply today through YAP Tracker and find application details here.

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is an equal opportunity employer/program. The Ryan Opera Center encourages qualified artists from historically underrepresented groups, including but not limited to those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color, to apply for its Ensemble.

For questions, please contact Susanna McNatt, Ryan Opera Center Manager, smcnatt@lyricopera.org, 312-827-3510.

Enrique Mazzola, Music Director Announces the following vacancies: Bass Trombone & Section Violin

Bass Trombone auditions to be held March 7-11, 2024
Section Violin auditions to be held March 25-28, 30, 2024

In the 2024/25 Season, the successful candidates may receive:

• 20-week contract (early September – middle of April)
• Base rate and vacation pay to equal $72,000
• Benefits Package (11.99% Pension; Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Instrument Insurance)

For further information, and to receive audition materials, please email orchaud@lyricopera.org

To audition, please send your resume and a $50 refundable deposit to*:
Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra Auditions
Bass Trombone OR Section Violin
20 North Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

*Please note that audition times will be granted upon receipt of $50 deposit

HIGHLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS ONLY
Vacancies resulting from the selection of a current Lyric Opera Orchestra member for any position may be filled at this time by any other applicant who advances to the finals in these auditions.

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If you are interested in being considered for Lyric Opera of Chicago's "substitute" musicians list, you may send your résumé at any time.

If you would like to be considered as a substitute musician, or would like more information regarding the open position(s) within the orchestra, please email orchaud@lyricopera.org with inquiries.

Chorus Auditions
2024/2025 Season

Lyric Opera of Chicago is holding chorus auditions in all voice categories for singers who are prepared for professional careers. Auditions will be held in Chicago. Positions in the Core Supplementary Chorus are available.

General Director: Anthony Freud
Music Director: Enrique Mazzola
Chorus Director & Head of Music: Michael Black

Preliminary Auditions

Chicago auditions will take place at Civic Opera House (20 N Wacker Drive, Chicago) on the following dates:

• Monday, March 18, 2024 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• Tuesday, March 19, 2024 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm
• Wednesday, March 20, 2024 11:00 am - 2:00 pm & 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• Friday, March 22, 2024 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• Saturday, March 23 2024 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Applicants must sing a preliminary audition to be considered for a callback audition. Please note that callback auditions are not always requested of singers in consideration for contracts.

Callback Auditions
Saturday, March 23, 2024 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Auditions are by invitation only:
Please ensure materials are received no later than 5:00pm CDT on Monday, March 11, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.

For audition consideration, singers must submit:

• Current résumé
• Headshot
• Letter that states your first, second and third preferences of audition dates
• Contact information for two references of recognized musical authority with whom you have worked. Please ensure your references are notified that Lyric may contact them.

Please email the above to:
choraud@lyricopera.org

OR mail to:

Chorus Auditions Coordinator
Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N Wacker Drive, Suite 860
Chicago, IL 60606

Audition Requirements:
Successful applicants must be prepared to present two, memorized opera arias in different languages.

Auditionees must be United States citizens OR possess, at the time of the audition, legal permission to work in the United States of America during the rehearsal and performance period.

Lyric Opera of Chicago employs a professional chorus under an AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists) contract and pays competitive wages. You need not be a union member to audition.

Rehearsal and Performance Period:
The 2024/2025 performance season runs from September 14 through December 1, 2024 (with rehearsals beginning in August) and the week of February 17 through April 19, 2025 (with rehearsals beginning in February). A full (tentative) schedule of rehearsals and performances will be provided prior to the commencement of rehearsals.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Lyric Opera of Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

For More Information:
www.lyricopera.org
choraud@lyricopera.org
Lyric Opera audition hotline: (312) 827-3548

General auditions for future Lyric Unlimited projects

Local Chicago singers and artists of color encouraged to apply

Lyric Opera of Chicago will hold general auditions in Chicago for prospective opera singers in all voice categories to participate in future Lyric Unlimited programming, including the Opera in the Neighborhoods children’s opera presentation of Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World during the periods September 23 – November 2, 2024 and April 7 – April 26, 2025.

All ethnicities welcome, artists of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Artists should be local to the Chicagoland area.

Audition schedule

Auditions will take place at Lyric Opera of Chicago; 40 North Wacker Drive (stage door) as follows:

• Friday, April 5, 2024, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
• Saturday April 6, 2024, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Auditions are by invitation only 

To be considered, please submit resume, headshot, and an audio or video recording of an aria to soloaud@lyricopera.org. Please also indicate if you are available during the Opera in the Neighborhoods periods.

Deadline for submission is Friday March 22, 2024.

Auditions will be awarded based on review of submitted materials.

Not all applicants are guaranteed an audition, and all auditions must be done live in Chicago.

Applicants will be notified if they have been granted an audition by March 27.

Walk-ins will not be seen.  ABSOLUTELY NO PHONE CALLS

Live audition requirements

Successful applicants should prepare at least two opera arias that best demonstrate their vocal ability. One aria must be in English, the other may be in a contrasting language. Arias must be memorized. Lyric Opera of Chicago will provide an accompanist; artists must furnish a legible copy of each aria in the correct key for the accompanist.

Artists at Lyric Opera of Chicago are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Should an artist be hired, they will be required to join this union if they are not already a member. Auditionees must be United States citizens OR possess, at the time of the audition, legal permission to work in the United States of America during the rehearsal and performance period.

For more information please email soloaud@lyricopera.org.

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About Lyric Opera of Chicago and Lyric Unlimited

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s mission is to express and promote the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great opera. Lyric exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to Chicago and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form. Lyric Unlimited is Lyric’s department devoted to education, community engagement, and new artistic initiatives. To learn more about Lyric’s current and future season, visit lyricopera.org.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Lyric Opera of Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. 

Lyric Opera of Chicago's music staff consists of cover conductors, répétiteurs, and prompters. If you you like to be considered for a position on Lyric Opera's music staff, please email your résumé and references to orchaud@lyricopera.org. If you are interested in cover conducting and have conducting reels available to you, please be sure to include them.

Alternate contact information is:
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Music Staff Auditions
20 N. Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

There are no musical theater auditions currently scheduled.

Some productions may require individuals with special talents to perform on stage, including:

• Ballet
• Children's Chorus
• Supernumeraries ("extras")
• Actors

Auditions for these roles are conducted on an "as needed" basis only; to find out about current/upcoming opportunities, please call the Audition Hotline at 312.827.3548. 

Lyric grants auditions for principal roles to professional opera singers on an invitation-only basis. The artist's management should contact Lyric's Artistic Administrator or email soloaud@lyricopera.org with requests for an audition.

To obtain an information packet about becoming a supernumerary at Lyric Opera of Chicago, please send your information to Bill Walters, super captain, at bwalters@lyricopera.org.

For additional information, please call the supernumerary hotline at 312.827.3538.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg