Grammy Award-winning composer Terence Blanchard and Tony Award-winning librettist Michael Cristofer's opera, Champion, is set for its Lyric Opera of Chicago debut Jan. 27. It runs through Feb. 11.
This contemporary "opera in jazz" features the true story of U.S. Virgin Islands-born professional gay boxer Emile Griffith, who threw a fatal punch at his rival Benny Paret during a 1962 title match. Paret had been taunting Griffith with an anti-gay slur during the weigh-ins prior to that match. The opera will use flashbacks as an aging Griffith speaks about his life.
Champion brings together Lyric's Music Director Enrique Mazzola, marking the first time he will be leading a contemporary opera performance at the Lyric, and out gay stage director James Robinson. Robinson previously directed Champion for the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in 2013; the Washington National Opera in 2017; and in a revised version of the opera, co-produced with the Lyric, at the Metropolitan Opera of New York City in April 2023. Currently, Robinson holds the title of artistic director at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.
Robinson told WCT that he came onboard as Champion's director because it "is such a [resonating] story. It is not just about a boxer or about boxing. It is about someone, an athlete, dealing with his sexuality in a very dangerous world. I liked the themes of forgiveness and resilience—they still resonate. It is also one of the only operas I know that features strong gay characters on a journey. And, of course, Terence created some marvelous roles for Black opera singers. I would say Champion is a real pioneering work in so many respects."
He added, "The combination of Terence's music with this great cast is something to behold. And Enrique Mazzola, the conductor, is doing an extraordinary job. He is fantastic to work with, and the Lyric is so fortunate to have him. We have a great cast and many people who are new to the opera and the production. It is a joy to return to Lyric. This is a company that I was always drawn to early in my years because of the incredible work, particularly the presentation of modern American operas."
Music has always been a part of Robinson's life, having grown up in Claremont, Oklahoma, where, he pointed out, that the musical Oklahoma takes place. He received his BA in Music Composition from the University of Tulsa and then spent time studying in France and taking lessons from Chicago's Shulamit Ran, before turning from music writing to directing.
Robinson was supposed to be working on his Masters in Composition thesis while also housesitting for friends in Santa Fe, New Mexico when he a job as an usher at the Santa Fe Opera. That led to a job on the production staff the following year. Robinson was given his first directing assignment at the Santa Fe Opera shortly thereafter. He called this experience "transformative" and what led him to change his career path.
In addition to directing Champion and co-directing Fire Shut Up in My Bones, Robinson has directed Porgy and Bess for the Metropolitan Opera; numerous projects for the Santa Fe Opera, including M Butterfly and Vanessa, Dolores Claiborne; and other productions for the San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera and Hollywood Bowl. Internationally he's worked with the Royal Swedish Opera, London Symphony, English National Opera and Dutch National Opera, among other venues.
In Lyric's new production, Reginald Smith Jr., Justin Austin and Naya James all play Griffith at various points in his life. Out gay tenor Martin Luther Clark will be playing Griffith's adopted son, life partner and caregiver Luis Rodrigo Griffith.
Clark told WCT he did not have to audition for this role, and that he was "approached by the Lyric team to sing in it. I consider it a great honor to be invited back home to Lyric Opera of Chicago for such an impactful story during my first year after finishing my time at the Lyric's Ryan Opera Center."
The journey towards opera performing began when Clark was a sophomore in college at the University of North Texas, where he received both his Bachelor's degree in music and Graduate Artist Certificate. While taking a music education class, Clark realized he did not want to just teach in a classroom; he wanted to be a performer first and then teach private voice lessons.
"During my [college years] I was hired as the first undergraduate to sing in the Dallas Opera Outreach program," said Clark. "I also went to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, and graduated with my Masters in Opera in 2020. The years spent at Curtis were two of the most difficult of my entire collegiate career, but also the most rewarding. The conservatory will always hold a special place in my heart."
While studying at the Curtis Institute of Music, Clark was invited to audition for the Ryan Opera Center, and that led to a three-year stint as an ensemble member, where his favorite experience was originating the role of CJ in The Factotum.
"It was an experience I will never forget, and now I am back on the mainstage as an alumnus of the Ryan Opera Center program," said Clark.
As for why Clark accepted this role, he said that even though he wanted nothing to do with sports as a young person, he had "heard the story of how the boxer unintentionally killed a man in the ring. It was not until my adult life when I realized he was a queer man of color, something I relate to very personally. His quote, 'I killed a man and the world forgave me. I love a man and the world wants to kill me,' resonated profoundly within me. I knew then that this was a powerful story that needed to be conveyed and it would be an honor to be part of its telling as the main character's adopted son and partner in life.
"Emile's story is super important and poignant because it holds up a mirror to humanity to help it see some hard truths of backwards thinking when it comes to queer folks. His story gives visibility and awareness to the long existence of humans who identify as LGBTQIA+—and how well respected and adored we are before the disclosure of our orientation. Blanchard's Champion beautifully captures how a public figure is sometimes forced to hide who they truly are and the collateral damage that causes not only to themself but inadvertently to others."
In terms of the message Clark hopes audience members take away from Champion, "my hope is that this story will cause hearts and minds to change and become more open to those who fly the rainbow flag. And also, that more of the world realizes we are all people too, with the same human needs, desires and dreams just as them, just as Emile, who was praised by many back in his prime during a less open minded time. May Emile's spirit find peace in his eternal rest."
There will be an LGBTQ-focused lecture by Dr. Lady J, the world's first and only drag queen with a Ph.D. in drag history, called "Castrated Superstars, Cross-Dressed Divas and Queer Lovers: A History of Drag in Opera," at Center on Halsted's Hoover-Leppen Theatre Thursday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The Lyric partnered with the Center for this special event. To purchase the $10 tickets visit, lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2023-24/out-at-the-Opera/
Additionally, during the February 6 Champion performance, Dr. Lady J will be doing a Drag Night OUT at the Opera, featuring a Drag Walk and the chance to interact with her at the private intermission reception. A cash bar and complimentary light bites will also be available. Contact Brittany Gonzalez Camuy at bgonzalez@lyricopera.org to find out more about this specific event.
Also, to buy tickets to the opera performance itself, visit lyricopera.org/champion or call 312-827-5600. Champion will be sung in English with projected English subtitles above the stage.
