Launched in the Spring of 2018, the Vanguard Initiative is COT’s three-pronged approach to the development of new opera. COT Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya leads the Initiative as the Vanguard Artistic Director.

Vanguard Composer Program

The Vanguard Initiative is Chicago Opera Theater's fully-comprehensive program for composers ready to delve into the world of opera. This immersive residency includes participation in all COT productions, sessions with top industry leaders, extensive study of repertoire and vocal writing, direct insight into administrative and other behind-the-scenes processes, and culminates with the development of a full-length chamber opera commissioned by COT. The program aims to bridge the gap between general compositional skills and the dramatic storytelling, vocal writing, practical considerations, and real-world experience that help inform an operatic composer’s work. Launched in 2018, the program identifies skilled composers who have not yet had sufficient opportunities for writing opera and provides them with a two-year comprehensive course of study and full immersion in the company, culminating with a commission together with an established librettist. The program is guided and overseen by COT’s Elizabeth Morse & Genius Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya, with Vanguard Advisors Jake Heggie, Kamala Sankaram, and Gene Scheer.