Porgy and Bess is the great American opera and for its Lyric Opera premiere, we've assembled a dynamic panel of artists and Gershwin scholars. They delve into Porgy's extraordinary genesis — descendant of an "Old Southern" family pens a novel on which a Jewish-American composer creates an operatic masterwork that deals with love and death in an insular black community. Enjoy this freewheeling discussion of Porgy and Bess and the reactions it has inspired over the decades in white and black America. Symposium panelists include University of Michigan musicologist Naomi André, Gershwin authority Wayne Shirley, baritone Gordon Hawkins (Porgy), soprano Morenike Fadayomi (Bess), and conductor John DeMain. The presentation is moderated by renowned music critic Wynne Delacoma. LESS

In his debut engagement at Lyric Opera, American baritone Lester Lynch is alternating between the roles of Crown and Porgy in the company premiere of Gershwin's PORGY AND BESS. Lynch discusses the challenges of singing and acting both of those characters, and also explains what he finds most rewarding about the production. LESS

Fasten your seatbelts! Marlis Petersen is Lulu, the sexually smoldering femme fatale in Alban Berg's crime story/opera. And who better to join her in a Discovery Series session than Sir Andrew Davis, the conductor of the intricate and emotion-layered musical score that contains some of the last century's most complex and expressionistic orchestral writing. Title this one, "Honey, it ain't Die Fledermaus!" Moderated by Roger Pines. LESS

Paul Curran has returned to Lyric this season as stage director of the new production of Berg's Lulu. Curran made his Lyric debut last season with another new production, Die Frau ohne Schatten. He's one of the most sought-after opera directors in the world with successes in Santa Fe, Toronto, Milan and Saint Petersburg. He shares his thoughts on the sensuality of Lulu and provides fascinating commentary on his approach to directing this masterpiece of music theater. LESS

The remarkable American tenor William Burden portrays the crucial character of Alwa in this season's new production of Berg's Lulu. In this discussion you'll hear not just about Burden's challenging role in Lulu but also about his feelings for this provocative opera and working with the gifted artistic team putting the production together. LESS

After her triumph last season in Strauss's Die Frau ohne Schatten, the extroardinary American mezzo-soprano Jill Grove is back at Lyric in the new production of Berg's Lulu. In this conversation she discusses the character she plays in this opera, Countess Geschwitz; the production (including the exciting film sequence, in which she figures prominently); and being a new mother -- her most important offstage role! Moderated by Roger Pines. LESS

Donald Nally, Lyric Opera's brilliant chorus master, gives us the inside story on preparing the chorus for the first three productions of the 2008/09 season: Massenet's Manon, Bizet's The Pearl Fishers, and the Lyric premiere of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. LESS

Before he gave us Carmen, Bizet penned this atmospheric jewel of forbidden love and broken promises set in ancient Ceylon. Nicole Cabell (Leïla), Nathan Gunn (Zurga), and Eric Cutler (Nadir) are joined by conductor John Mauceri for an exploration of this exotic work. Moderated by Roger Pines. LESS

Soprano Andriana Chuchman and mezzo-sopranos Kathryn Leemhuis and Katherine Lerner are three brilliantly talented members of Lyric Opera's Ryan Opera Center. They're all performing in Massenet's Manon, the opening production of Lyric's 2008/2009 season. They talk not only about the experience of working with the production's stars, but also about what it's like to be a young singer today at a leading international opera company. LESS

A sweet country girl fluctuates between a life of luxury and one of true love - bad idea! Soon enough she's speeding toward perdition. Natalie Dessay (Manon), Jonas Kaufmann (Des Grieux), and conductor Emmanuel Villaume in a discussion of Massenet's opera and the Abbé Prévost story that inspired it. LESS