sconce
 
This is one of the Art Deco style sconces in the grand foyer of Lyric Opera.
lamp
 

 

 

 


Faculty & Staff
> Music > Opera

The Lyric Opera: Backstage Tour, Matinee and Projects

Outside the building

Lyric Opera of Chicago
Main Page

 

This year's matinee is Donizetti's
"The Elixir of Love."

 

The Class of 2011
took the Backstage Tour at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

We thank the tour docents for providing this opportunity to experience the backstage world of the Lyric. It takes many technicians, stagehands and other skilled craftsmen and women to bring an opera to life.

 

Tour

Enjoy this interactive slide show
of the Backstage Tour
taken by the Class of 2011!
(2010--7th graders)


opera

The Elixir of Love

March 11, 2010

Ascension's 7th graders had a wonderful time Thursday afternoon at Lyric Opera of Chicago. They attended a special student matinee of Donizetti's The Elixir of Love. We had wonderful seats in the very front rows!

opera opera
opera opera
opera opera

The Elixir of Love-- the plot!

Before attending the opera, 7th graders will divided into small groups to "sort out" the characters and plot of the opera.

sorting

sorting

sorting

 

sorting

 

sorted

 

Opera Prop and Stage Set Project

Look at the amazing projects this year's 7th graders constructed! Our final assignment was to make a set design, construct a set or construct a prop. Some of our props would rival those at Lyric Opera! The sets represent a scene from The Elixir of Love, and the props should be suitable for use in an opera.

At right, a royal robe, made by the student.

 

Props

props props

 

Props

 

Props

Props

Stage sets, drawings, and mirrors.

Props

Props

Shields, inspired by the ones on the Backstage Tour of Lyric.

Props

Prop books made by students.

Props

Masks!

Props

Money and treasue!

The pictures below of the interior or Lyric,and scenes from the Tour,
are from previous years.

Lobby Stairs in grand lobby

The inside of the building is decorated in Art Deco style.

Our groups visited almost every part of Lyric Opera.

Orchestra pit

Looking into the pit

We looked into the Orchestra Pit, and found out that the conductor is always on camera. The picture is broadcast to monitors (see below) so that the performers can always see the beat.

Monitor

The monitor shows the girls looking into the orchestra pit, as the camera is always on the conductor.

Then it was time for a walk down
"Peacock Alley."


Peacock Alley


We could look onto the stage, but no one can go onto the set. We could see the stage manager's station and other equipment.

Catwalk Opera Tour
This is the infamous catwalk, which turned out to be very safe, even though it is 6 stories above the stage. The ropes on the left control the flies: backdrops and other scenery. The fly space is 12 stories tall altogether.

This is a look at the fly space where backdrops hang out of sight. Far below is the stage floor!

view of balconies walls of theater

The interior of the theater is lavishly decorated in gold.

art deco trumpets

 

 

Paper money

This is the older of two 'wind machines' that make the sounds of storms when needed in an opera.

The weapons room holds guns, knives and pikes for operas of any era. Every weapon must be authentic to the time period.

 

weapons

small arms knives
Queen of the Night Crown Helmet
suit of armor

pikes

A suit of armor, helmets and crowns were displayed in a dressing room.

wigs

Every wig is hand made, taking over 40 hours to complete. Once the hairs are tied to the netting, the hair is styled to suit the opera. These are sideburns for men, made of Yak hair.

Sideburns

costumes

wardrobe

Some dresses in the costume area, and in the wardrobe closet.

costumes costume
We visited two costume areas. One was an enormous closet, with dozens of costumes hung from floor to ceiling. The other room held costumes that were currently in use.
This dress was from Mozart's The Magic Flute
.

dressing room

This is a private dressing room for one of the stars of the opera. There is a private bathroom, huge closets for the elaborate costumes, a piano, the make-up area and a cozy chair. Outside there is a lounge for the "dressers," who assist with getting into the costumes.

Opera Tour Lounge
Below the stage is the lounge
for orchestra members.

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