North Park University and the Lyric Opera of Chicago to host Omar Opera Insights Panel

Join North Park University and the Lyric Opera of Chicago on October 17 for a reflective panel discussion on the Lyric’s performance of Omar later this month, inspired by the memoir of the 19th-century Islamic scholar Omar ibn Said.

Omar takes audiences on a musical journey through the titular character’s life, from his capture in West Africa to his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean and to his eventual enslavement in North Carolina. Along the way, Omar contemplates his faith and purpose. Told through a blending of musical traditions—bluegrass, hymns, spirituals, and more—this American story comes to life.

The Omar Opera Insights panel will explore the themes and effects of the 1831 manuscript—the only surviving Arabic autobiography written by an enslaved individual in the United States. Attendees will discuss how West African string traditions, the structure of Islamic worship, and bluegrass shape the cultural history of the Black Diaspora. Through this discussion, participants will explore beyond the performance aspect of opera and delve into how these performances build our shared experiences of life.

The panel will be held in Anderson Chapel. A reception with light bites and a short vocal and piano performance will begin at 2:00 p.m., followed by the discussion at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are free but require a reservation, and the event is expected to reach capacity, so reserve your tickets today.