Haymarket Opera Company

Haymarket Opera Company is a prominent performing arts organization based in Chicago, Illinois, known for its dedication to presenting historically informed opera and oratorio from the 17th and 18th centuries. The company has made significant contributions to Chicago's and the Midwest's cultural scene since its inception in 2010. Haymarket Opera Company is distinguished by its commitment to historical authenticity, featuring performances that utilize period instruments and follow historically informed staging practices. Over the years, Haymarket has produced more than 30 productions, many of which have been Chicago and U.S. premieres. The company's repertoire includes a diverse array of lesser-known yet high-quality works from a variety of composers. These productions have been brought to life by a mix of international stars and top regional talent, garnering critical acclaim from prestigious publications such as the Chicago Tribune, Italy’s L’Opera, Opera News, and Early Music America. The New York Times has recognized Haymarket for its "finely played, carefully sung, lovingly detailed period performance." Haymarket Opera Company gained national recognition during the Covid-19 pandemic by offering a season of filmed Handel operas, which reached over 800,000 households. Further expanding its reach, the company has partnered with WFMT to broadcast on the historic Saturday Matinee Broadcast series. This initiative places Haymarket alongside esteemed institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, and Paris Opera, reaching over one million listeners worldwide through free broadcasts. In 2022, Haymarket Opera Company achieved a landmark with the world-premiere recording of biracial composer Joseph Bologne's only extant opera, L’Amant anonyme. This project was released in collaboration with the Grammy Award-winning label Cedille Records and was the inaugural project supported by the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Fund for Vocal Recordings. Haymarket's excellence has been recognized by various media outlets. The Chicago Sun-Times included the company in the "Ten Best of the Decade" in 2020, and the Chicago Classical Review praised it for offering "Chicago’s finest operatic event" in 2021. The Chicago Tribune listed Haymarket in its Top 10 Classical and Opera performances in both 2021 and 2022. Moreover, Musical America lauded Haymarket as "among the most impressive period-performance ensembles around today." The name "Haymarket Opera Company" is inspired by two historical references: Chicago’s Haymarket Affair of 1886, which was pivotal to the worldwide labor movement, and the King’s Theatre located in the Haymarket District of London, where Handel produced his Italian operas. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization, Haymarket Opera Company relies on the support of its community and encourages tax-deductible donations to sustain its mission. The company is also recognized as a Professional Company Member of Opera America, highlighting its status within the operatic community. Haymarket Opera Company continues to enrich the artistic landscape with its innovative programming and dedication to preserving the rich tradition of early opera and oratorio.