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In late 1997, the renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago company debuted the very first opera of its kind—a work especially commissioned to retell the 1839 story of the slave ship, La Amistad, whose captives revolted and changed the course of history. In Chicago, the opera served as a catalyst for educational and community engagement with the difficult history of the global slave trade.

Learn more in this Google Arts & Culture story.

Exhibition-GAC-Lyric Opera Amistad-i176682_pm Choreographer Hope Clarke (left) gives direction to three cast members playing reporters during a day of rehearsal for the cast, crew, and principals of the Amistad opera at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, September 1997. CHM, ICHi-176682
Exhibition-GAC-Lyric Opera Amistad-i176656_pm Margu, played by Kimberly Jones, is accosted by reporters in New Haven, Connecticut, during a performance of the Amistad opera at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, November 1997. CHM, ICHi-176656
Exhibition-GAC-Lyric Opera Amistad-i176649_003_pm Drawings by costume designer Toni-Leslie James for the women of New Haven and their servants from the designs prepared for the cast of the opera Amistad, in the Amistad Sourcebook, 1997. CHM, ICHi-176649_003
Exhibition-GAC-Lyric Opera Amistad-i176667_pm US Navy Lieutenant T. R. Gedney, played by Bruce Hall, takes command of La Amistad ship and its captive Africans during the opera Amistad at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, November 1997. CHM, ICHi-176667
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