Omar
October 23. 2026 - October 28. 2026
Upcoming Dates
October 23. 2026 - October 28. 2026
Where memory is preserved, legacy endures. Omar
Lyric premiere
MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient Rhiannon Giddens and celebrated co-composer Michael Abels bring their profoundly moving story of the human spirit to Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Inspired by the memoir of 19th-century Islamic scholar Omar ibn Said, this breathtaking work spins a musical narrative of Omar’s capture in West Africa, journey across the Atlantic Ocean, and enslavement in South Carolina, where he confronts his circumstances and challenges his faith through a series of indelible writings.
Director Kaneza Schaal’s austere, impactful presentation foregrounds Giddens and Abels’ Pulitzer Prize-winning score — a tapestry of musical traditions weaving together hymns, spirituals, and bluegrass — to tell a fundamentally American story.
- Language: Sung in English with projected English titles
- Running Time: 2 hours 40 minutes, including 1 intermission
- Location: Lyric Opera House
- Composers: Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels
- Librettist: Rhiannon Giddens
Credits
Omar is co-commissioned by Lyric Opera of Chicago, Spoleto Festival USA, Carolina Performing Arts, San Francisco Opera, LA Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and Detroit Opera.
Photos: Cory Weaver/LA Opera