‘Great Performances’ celebrates Chicago’s diverse musical heritage with ‘Chicago Voices’

A star-studded array of vocal talent with deep ties to Chicago gathers on stage at Lyric Opera to pay tribute to the city’s wide-reaching influence across blues, jazz, rock, folk, hip-hop, gospel, opera and classical music in “Great Performances: Chicago Voices,” premiering Friday, August 10 at 9 p.m. on Arizona PBS.

Hosted by four-time Grammy-winning soprano Renée Fleming, the multi-genre concert special features performances by Fleming, Tony-winner Jessie Mueller, Grammy-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco, three-time Grammy-winning folk legend John Prine and many more in a celebration of Chicago’s rich and diverse vocal music legacy.

Led by award-winning music director Doug Peck, the concert features additional performances and unique collaborations by Beverly Sills Award-winning tenor Matthew Polenzani, blues singer Shemekia Copeland, alternative country duo The Handsome Family, Voices of Trinity Mass Choir, Terrence Howard and Jussie Smollett. Civil rights activist and founder of Operation PUSH Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., serves as special guest presenter during the concert.

Lyric Opera Creative Consultant Renée Fleming along with Lyric Unlimited, Lyric Opera’s department dedicated to education, community engagement and new artistic initiatives, joined forces in February 2017 to create Chicago Voices. The multi-year initiative celebrates Chicago’s vibrant and diverse vocal music culture, with the Chicago Voices concert as one of its signatures events.