Lyric Opera Premiere of 'Safronia' Blends Genres in Potent Exploration of Black Migration

Creator avery r. young stars in his own world premiere, a work that will return at Court Theatre next season.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:55pm

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Lyric Opera's world premiere of 'Safronia,' a new opera by Chicago's first poet laureate avery r. young, blends gospel, blues, and funk to tell the story of a Black family displaced from Georgia during the Great Migration. The production, which features young in the lead role, explores the family's desire to reclaim their lost property and the lasting impact of forced displacement.

Why it matters

The Great Migration was a pivotal moment in Black American history, with millions making the journey from the segregated South to the North in search of greater opportunity. 'Safronia' shines a light on the often-overlooked role of Pullman Porters, who played a crucial part in the civil rights movement, and the lasting trauma of forced displacement experienced by many Black families.

The details

In 'Safronia,' the family patriarch, baar booker (played by young), his wife magnolia (Maiesha McQueen), and their daughter safronia and her husband, a Pullman Porter (Lorenzo Rush Jr.), grapple with the aftermath of being forced out of their hometown of Oscarville, Georgia in 1912. The opera blends genres including gospel, blues, and funk, with young's rich poetic language complemented by orchestrations from Paul Byssainthe Jr. that lend a cinematic quality.

  • The world premiere of 'Safronia' took place at the Lyric Opera in Chicago on April 19, 2026.
  • The opera will return for a full staging at Court Theatre in Chicago's next season.

The players

avery r. young

Chicago's first poet laureate, who wrote the music and libretto for 'Safronia' and stars in the lead role of baar booker.

Maiesha McQueen

An actress who portrays the role of magnolia, baar booker's wife, in 'Safronia.'

Lorenzo Rush Jr.

An actor who plays the role of safronia's husband, a Pullman Porter, in 'Safronia.'

Paul Byssainthe Jr.

The orchestrator and conductor who contributed to the depth and variety of the music in 'Safronia.'

Court Theatre

The Chicago theater that has announced it will fully stage 'Safronia' in its next season.

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What they’re saying

“Imagine the astonishment of these early 20th century men, had they somehow happened upon this exuberant past weekend at the Lyric Opera, where the seats were filled in large part by highly fashionable Black Chicagoans, all drawn to the work of Chicago's first poet laureate, avery r. young, commissioned by Lyric to forge a very potent new American opera.”

— Chris Jones, Critic

“Young has a way of making up nouns (like 'froggy') that roll off the singers' tongues and getting to the 'bone and blood' of the matter in such a way as to keep you leaning in, or, in young speak, 'in there.'”

— Chris Jones, Critic

What’s next

Court Theatre has already announced that it will fully stage 'Safronia' in its next season, which will likely reveal whether the show has potential for a future Broadway run or if the Lyric's concert-style hybrid production is its most viable format.

The takeaway

'Safronia' is a powerful new work that shines a light on the often-overlooked stories of the Great Migration, blending genres and poetic language to explore the lasting impact of forced displacement on Black families. The Lyric Opera premiere showcased the talent of Chicago's first poet laureate, avery r. young, and set the stage for a fuller staging at Court Theatre.