Enrique Mazzola conducts “Champion” in Chicago
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s music director Enrique Mazzola conducts the Chicago premiere of “Champion”. Six-time Grammy Award winning composer Terence Blanchard’s first opera (libretto by Michael Cristofer), premiered in St Louis in 2013 and tells the true story of welterweight boxer Emile Griffith. This “opera in jazz” features a superb cast including Reginald Smith, Jr. and Justin Austin.
In an interview for Lyric Opera, Enrique comments “I have to say that what is really unique in Terence is that he has found a modern, contemporary blend of styles. And this makes his music very attractive to me. It’s not only jazz, it’s not only opera, but it’s a modern mix.”
Champion opens on Saturday 27th January for a run of six performances concluding with a matinee on Sunday 11th February.
Further information: Champion | Lyric Opera of Chicago