Festival Season Archives
2024 Festival Season

Season at a Glance

This season explores the powerful emotions and difficult choices that shape human destiny. From Puccini’s sweeping tale of love and temptation in Manon Lescaut to the haunting psychological drama of Il Prigioniero and The Medium, the Festival examines the fragile boundary between hope and despair, truth and deception. The journey culminates in Puccini Forever, a vibrant concert celebrating the unforgettable melodies and emotional power of one of opera’s greatest composers. Together, these performances reveal the timeless intensity of opera, where love, faith, and illusion shape the destinies of those who dare to follow their hearts.

Mainstage

JUN 27-30

Festival Mainstage

June 27, 29, 30, 2024

Manon Lescaut

Caught between true love and the allure of luxury, a young woman’s sudden romance with the devoted Des Grieux sets them on a passionate journey marked by temptation, betrayal, and fate. As desire and ambition pull them in different directions, their love is tested in ways that lead toward heartbreaking consequences.

JUL 11-14

Festival Mainstage

July 11, 14, 2024

Il Prigioniero & The Medium

Two haunting one-act operas explore the fragile line between hope and illusion. In one, a prisoner dares to believe freedom is within reach during the Spanish Inquisition, only to discover the devastating cost of false hope. In the other, a fraudulent medium’s staged séances spiral into paranoia and tragedy when she begins to fear the spirits she pretends to summon may be real.

Concert & Other Events

Festival Artist Concert

June 21, 2024

Puccini Forever

An evening devoted to the music of Giacomo Puccini, this concert celebrates the composer’s extraordinary gift for drama, melody, and emotional intensity. Featuring arias, duets, trios, and ensembles from across Puccini’s operatic repertoire.

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Support from our community allows the Opera Festival of Chicago to play a vital role in the city’s vibrant cultural landscape—and to remain one of the few companies in the world dedicated to presenting rarely performed Italian opera masterworks.

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