Films come to life! Lyric Opera of Chicago puts on Disney movie nights for Encanto & Amadeus

Lyric Opera of Chicago will bring back its popular “Movie Nights at Lyric” series during the 2026/27 season with live-to-film performances of Disney’s “Encanto” and Miloš Forman’s “Amadeus.” The concerts will place the Lyric Opera Orchestra at the center of two movie screenings, giving audiences a chance to hear each score performed live at the Lyric Opera House.

The series began during the 2024/25 season with a sold-out presentation of “Singin’ in the Rain,” according to the announcement. The new season will open with “Disney’s Encanto in Concert Live to Film” on Saturday, Nov. 28, and Sunday, Nov. 29. The film’s songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and score by Germaine Franco will be performed in sync with the movie.

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“Encanto” follows Mirabel, the only child in the Madrigal family without a magical gift, as she tries to protect her family’s enchanted home. Gonzalo Farias, associate conductor of the Houston Symphony, will lead the Lyric Opera Orchestra. Farias previously conducted Lyric’s presentation of Disney’s “Coco in Concert Live to Film.”

The performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29. Tickets start at $39. Both performances will include projected Spanish titles. The Sunday matinee will also offer American Sign Language interpretation and SoundShirt accessibility services.

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Amadeus features the Lyric Opera Chorus

The series continues Jan. 15 and 16, 2027, with “Amadeus LIVE,” featuring the 1984 Academy Award-winning film and Mozart’s music performed live by the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus. According to the press release, the event marks the first time the Lyric Opera Chorus will participate in Movie Nights at Lyric.

Based on Peter Shaffer’s stage play, “Amadeus” centers on court composer Antonio Salieri and his jealousy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Actor, Director, and Adapted Screenplay, per the announcement.

Brett Mitchell will make his Lyric debut as conductor. The performances will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16. Both shows will use projected English titles, while the Friday performance will include American Sign Language interpretation and SoundShirt services. Tickets start at $39.

The live-to-film concerts will be held at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago. Tickets and event information are available through Lyric Opera’s Encanto listing and Amadeus LIVE listing.