It has been announced that Susan Graham will join the cast of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s new staging of Les Troyens, Hector Berlioz’s grand operatic retelling of Virgil’s Aeneid, to reprise her signature role of Dido. Sir Andrew Davis conducts a cast that also includes Christine Goerke as Cassandra and Brandon Jovanovich as Aeneas, with performances on November 13, 17, 21, and 26 as well as December 3. The new production is directed by Tim Albery, with set and costume designs by Tobias Hoheisel, lighting designs by David Finn, and projection designs by Illumines.

Two seasons ago, when the Met broadcast a revival of Les Troyens to cinema audiences worldwide as part of the company’s Live in HD series, “The big news is mezzo-soprano Susan Graham…” the New York Times said, “whose portrayal is sumptuous, regal and impassioned.” The Associated Press has declared Susan’s “the ideal voice for Berlioz – a mezzo with a dark richness that blossoms into lush soprano-like tones.”

The opening performance of Les Troyens will be recorded for delayed broadcast on WFMT on Tuesday, November 15 beginning at 7:15pm Central. Find tickets and more information here.