Civic Opera House and Chicago River

The Civic Opera House, the lyric throne of Chicago

On the bank of the Chicago River stands the Civic Opera House, home of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. This prestigious institution houses one of the largest auditoriums in America, in a skyscraper with a singular outline. The Chicago audio-guided tour stops here to evoke the city's cultural life and its relationship with the river.

A throne-shaped skyscraper

The Civic Opera House occupies a building of several dozen floors on Wacker Drive, along the Chicago River. Its outline, often compared to a giant throne facing the river, makes it a landmark of the skyline. It houses one of the largest auditoriums on the continent and hosts one of the most renowned opera companies in the world.

What to see

From the opposite bank, you admire the imposing mass of the building reflected in the Chicago River. Its hall, among the largest in America, hosts operas and great shows throughout the season. It is one of the great cultural landmarks of Chicago, to be appreciated from the outside for its architecture as much as for its programme.

Practical information

The Civic Opera House lies on Wacker Drive, along the Chicago River, in the centre of Chicago, reachable on foot and by metro. The exterior can be freely admired from the quays; access to the hall is during performances, whose programme and times vary with the season, to be checked with the institution.

What is the Civic Opera House of Chicago?

It is the home of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, a skyscraper on Wacker Drive housing one of the largest auditoriums in America, by the Chicago River.

Why does the building have a throne shape?

Its massive outline, facing the Chicago River, evokes a giant throne, which makes it a recognisable landmark of the skyline.