World Premiere

Safronia makes its world premiere with two exclusive performances at Lyric Opera of Chicago, bringing to life a poignant new work from Chicago's first poet-laureate, avery r. young. Rooted in the rich musical traditions of gospel, blues, funk and soul alongside spoken word and poetic storytelling, the work is an evocative exploration of history and heritage, crafted by one of the city's most innovative artistic voices.

What Is The Story

The story centers around the Booker family, who return to their Southern hometown after five years of exile in the North of the USA to lay their patriarch to rest. Through their journey the work paints a vivid portrait of the Great Migration's lasting impact, weaving folklore and memory into an Afro-surrealist narrative.