Celebrating Proximity: A Trio of New American Operas
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Celebrating Proximity: A Trio of New American Operas

Go behind the scenes with Anna Deavere Smith and renowned composers

About the Event:

The world premiere of Proximity at Lyric Opera of Chicago is poised to be one of the most talked-about events of the year. Join legendary playwright, now librettist, Anna Deavere Smith, renowned composers Daniel Bernard Roumain and Caroline Shaw, and Naperville native and MacArthur Fellow Yuval Sharon for a conversation about this powerful trio of new American Operas addressing some of society’s greatest challenges: connection in a tech-driven world, the devastating impact of gun violence, and respect for natural resources.

This program includes a special performance by cast members, including countertenor John Holiday, baritone Lucia Lucas, and soprano Whitney Morrison with Chris Reynolds accompanying

This program is generously underwritten as part of the Stanek Endowed Music Program series and presented in partnership with Lyric Opera of Chicago.


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  • Epiphany Center for the Arts is a 21+ venue, those under that age must be accompanied by a parent or responsible party upon entering the venue and remain under the supervision of that person the entire time.

Anna Deavere Smith

Anna Deavere Smith

Anna Deavere Smith is an actress, playwright, teacher, and author. She is credited with creating a new form of theater. Her ...

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Daniel Bernard Roumain

Daniel Bernard Roumain

Daniel Bernard Roumain’s acclaimed work as a composer, performer, educator, and activist spans more than two decades, and he...

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Caroline Shaw

Caroline Shaw

Caroline Shaw is a musician who moves among roles, genres, and mediums, trying to imagine a world of sound that has never be...

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Yuval Sharon

Yuval Sharon

Yuval Sharon, who was recently announced as the first-ever Gary L. Wasserman Artistic Director of Michigan Opera Theater, ha...

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Matthew Ozawa

Matthew Ozawa

Matthew Ozawa is a stage director, artistic director, and educator whose international career spans all artistic disciplines...

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John Holiday

John Holiday

Countertenor John Holiday has established himself as “one of the finest countertenors of his generation” (Los Angeles Tim...

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Lucia Lucas

Lucia Lucas

Hailed as “one of the most powerful and beautiful baritone voices you could hear” (The Side Balcony), American barito...

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Whitney Morrison

Whitney Morrison

Rising star Whitney Morrison has earned praise for her “big, gleaming soprano” (Chicago Classical Review) and “vocall...

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Chris Reynolds

Chris Reynolds

Third-year Ryan Opera Center pianist Chris Reynolds has rapidly made a name for himself as both a soloist and a collaborator...

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[Event tile image description: The event image at the top left of the event page is an artistic graphic of human profile looking to the left with a outline of a world behind it. Image credit: Lyric Opera of Chicago]