Lyric Opera News

12 / 30

A one-night-only, multi-genre concert on February 4
pays tribute to the city’s musical past and present
by Magda Krance
CELEBRATING CHICAGO’S
UNIQUE VOCAL HERITAGE
“My whole life and career has been a preparation
for this.” So says Douglas Peck, musical director
for the Chicago Voices Gala Concert, who will
play a vital role in preparing what is sure to be
an unforgettable night of vocal artistry across
many genres. The extraordinary one-night event,
taking place Saturday, February 4, at Lyric’s Civic
Opera House, promises to be a joyful, star-studded
occasion. Brimming with musical surprises
and delights, the concert will pay homage to
the past and present-day Chicago vocal scene,
while highlighting some of the signature sounds
for which the city is known. Acclaimed for his
triumphs as music director for productions at The
Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Writers Theatre,
the Chicago Humanities Festival, and elsewhere,
Peck will work with vocal artists from a variety of
genres. The resulting one-night-only performance
will celebrate the successful first year of Chicago
Voices, Lyric’s newest community initiative.
Spearheaded by world-renowned soprano
Renée Fleming, Chicago Voices is a multi-year,
groundbreaking program launched in January
2016 to celebrate the human voice, the individual
stories of Chicagoans, and the diverse musical
culture of the city. The initiative encompasses
citywide events, performances, and exhibitions,
engaging audiences through participatory arts
experiences and cross-genre programming.
Chicago’s musical heritage is one of the city’s
greatest gifts to the world, and Chicago Voices
was sparked by the idea that there has never
been a more crucial time to invite the whole city
to find common ground in our musical riches.
Photo exhibits, master classes, expert panels, and
community-created performances are just a few
of the ways this dynamic program encourages
Chicagoans to take part in the citywide celebration
that honors and embraces the unique vocal
tapestry this city has to offer.
The Chicago Voices Gala Concert will feature vocal
artists from several musical genres, all with deep
ties to Chicago. Fleming, who has served as Lyric’s
first-ever creative consultant since December
2010, will curate and perform in the concert. The
program will celebrate the city’s diverse musical
traditions and will include top singers in blues,
jazz, rock, hip-hop, gospel, and classical, among
other genres. Performers include legendary folk
singer/songwriter John Prine, a Grammy Hall
of Fame member and Maywood, Illinois, native;
“New Queen of Blues” artist Shemekia Copeland,
fresh off her win at the Blues Music Awards for
Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist; world-
renowned tenor Matthew Polenzani, an Evanston
native and former Ryan Opera Center member; and
husband–and-wife duo The Handsome Family, an
alternative/ indie/folk group formed in Chicago,
best known for their hit song, Far From Any Road
(theme song for HBO’s hit series, True Detective),
among others.
In addition to Fleming’s guidance, the concert
will also be shaped by an illustrious advisory
group, including famed jazz-funk musician Herbie
Hancock, jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, John Prine, and
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