Composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek follow their hit opera Breaking the Waves with a thriller about the seductive power of cults and charismatic leaders in a divided nation. Co-commissioned and co-produced with Opera Philadelphia, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Norwegian National Opera, The Listeners examines the lengths to which we, as Americans, are willing to go to find a sense of place and purpose, and the way in which confident, charming leaders can exploit these needs to their own ends. Prior to the American premiere at Opera Philadelphia in September 2024 and Lyric Opera of Chicago in March 2025, Mazzoli, Vavrek, director Lileana Blain-Cruz, and Afton Battle (Vice President, Lyric Unlimited and Artistic Operations, Lyric Opera of Chicago) will participate in a discussion moderated by Sarah Williams (Director of New Works, Opera Philadelphia). Excerpts will be performed by Jazmine Saunders, Zachary Altman, Taylor-Alexis Dupont, and Ethan Burck, accompanied by Grant Loehnig on piano.

Ticketing Information
Priority tickets for the fall 2024 performance series will go on sale online at 11 am on Tuesday, July 23, for $500+ Friends of Works & Process and all Guggenheim members at the Global level and above.

General ticketing will open online on Thursday, July 25, at 11 am.

For questions, Friends of Works & Process, please email friends@worksandprocess.org. Guggenheim members, please email membership@guggenheim.org. For general ticketing questions, please email boxoffice@guggenheim.org.

Tickets are available for purchase online only.

House seats may be available for $1,000+ Friends of Works & Process. To purchase house seats, email friends@worksandprocess.org.

House seats may be released to the public before performances.

The Listeners by Missy Mazzoli, libretto by Royce Vavrek. Photo: Erik Berg