Opera
  • Home
  • CHQ Assembly
  • 2023 Season
        • Sweeney Todd
        • La Tragédie de Carmen
        • 2023 Young Artists
        • 2023 Festival & Guest Artists
        • 2023 Directors & Designers
        • 2023 Opera Conservatory
  • About
        • Mission & History
        • Past Productions
        • Leadership
        • Performance Venues & Accessibility
  • Young Artists
        • Young Artist Program
        • Audition FAQs
  • Alumni
  • Opera Conservatory
  • Opera Guild
  • Media
        • Press Releases
        • Chautauquan Daily Articles
        • Opera Virtual Porch Events
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Buy Tickets
Theater
  • Home
  • CHQ Assembly
  • About
        • Leadership
        • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility
        • New Play Development
        • Young Playwrights Project
        • Past Productions
        • Our History
  • Conservatory
        • Acting Conservatory
        • Design & Directing Fellowships
        • Alumni in the News
  • Your Visit
  • Get Involved
        • Conservatory Application
        • Administrative & Production Positions
        • Friends of CTC
  • Press
        • Press Releases
  • Donate
  • Buy Tickets
Give
  • Home
  • CHQ Assembly
  • Make a Donation
  • Ways to Give
        • Appreciated Securities
        • Capital Support
        • Chautauqua Fund
        • Endowment/Naming
        • Gift Planning
        • Honor Your Host
        • Honorary/Memorial
        • Matching Gifts
        • Monthly Giving
        • Program Sponsor
        • Scholarships
  • Membership Opportunities
        • 1874 Society
        • Bell Tower Society
        • Bestor Society
        • Daugherty Society
        • Lewis Miller Circle
        • NOW Generation
        • Foundation Membership
  • Foundation
        • History & Mission
        • Board of Directors
        • Foundation Staff
        • Foundation Membership
        • Foundation Publications
        • Contact
  • Advancement
        • Institution Board of Trustees
        • Advancement Staff
        • Advancement Publications
        • Contact
  • Donate
  • Buy Tickets
Foundation
  • Home
  • CHQ Assembly
  • Mission
  • Board of Directors
  • Staff
  • Publications
  • Membership
  • Endowment/Naming
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Buy Tickets

Summer

  • Fall / Winter / Spring
  • CHQ Assembly
  • Discover
        • Plan Your Experience
          • Experience Planner
          • 2023 Season
          • Buy Gate Passes and Tickets
          • Ticket Information
          • Vacation Safely at Chautauqua
          • Visit Must-Dos
        • About Chautauqua
          • 150 Forward Strategic Plan
          • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) at Chautauqua
        • Places To Stay
          • Athenaeum Hotel
          • Private Accommodations
          • Denominations and Religious Organizations
          • Nearby Accommodations
        • Explore the Grounds and Gardens
          • Maps and Directions
          • Bus and Tram Tracker
          • Accessibility at Chautauqua
          • Plaza Cam
          • Chautauqua Lake Conservation
        • Eat, Drink & Shop
          • Dining
          • Heirloom Restaurant
          • Shopping & Services
          • Food Festival at Chautauqua
        • Experience Community
          • African American Heritage House
          • Chautauqua Women’s Club
          • Bird, Tree & Garden Club
          • LGBTQ and Friends
          • “Friends of” Groups
          • CPOA (Property Owners)
          • Denominations and Religious Organizations
          • Chautauqua Cinema
          • Chautauqua Trail
          • CHQ Dialogues
        • Resources
          • The Smith Memorial Library
          • Post Office
          • Chautauqua Bookstore
          • Services & Amenities
          • Business Center
          • Property Owner Resources
          • Chautauqua Lake Conservation
          • Program Archive
          • Chautauqua Institution Archives
          • FAQs
          • The Chautauquan Daily
          • CHQ&A Podcast
          • Chautauqua Magazine
          • Grounds Policies
  • Schedule
        • Discover CHQ
        • Events
          • All Events
          • Weekly Themes
          • Event Calendar
          • Experience Planner
        • Lectures
          • Chautauqua Lecture Series
          • Interfaith Lecture Series
          • Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle
          • Other Lectures
        • Performing & Visual Arts
          • Entertainment and Concerts
          • Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and Classical Concerts
          • Galleries
          • Chautauqua Chamber Music
          • Dance
        • Resident Programs
          • Chautauqua Literary Arts
          • Chautauqua Opera Company & Conservatory
          • Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
          • Chautauqua Theater Company
          • Chautauqua Visual Arts
          • Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative
        • Classes
        • Religion
          • Daily Worship
          • Sacred Music
          • Abrahamic Program for Young Adults
          • Mystic Heart Interspiritual Meditation Program
          • Denominations and Religious Organizations
          • CHQ Dialogues
        • Recreation
          • Chautauqua Health & Fitness Center
          • Sports Club
          • Golf Club
          • Swimming
          • Tennis Center
          • Sailing
          • Youth Recreation
          • CHQ Trail
        • Youth & Family
          • Day Camps
          • Educational Experiences
          • Youth Activities Center (YAC)
          • Youth Recreation
          • Babysitting
          • Family Scholarship Program
  • Groups
        • Book a Group Experience
        • Road Scholar
        • Chautauqua on a Budget
        • Tour Chautauqua County
        • Chautauqua Travels
  • Festival Schools
        • School of Music
          • Conducting Fellowship
          • Instrumental Program
          • Opera Conservatory
          • Piano Program
        • Dance
        • Art
        • Theater
        • Chautauqua Music Camps
        • Alumni
  • Giving
        • Make a Donation
        • Membership Opportunities
        • Ways to Give
        • Chautauqua Foundation
        • Advancement
  • Buy Tickets
  • Give
  • Donate
  • Buy Tickets

Fall / Winter / Spring

  • Summer
  • CHQ Assembly
  • Discover
        • About Year-Round at Chautauqua
        • Plan Your Experience
          • Experience Planner
          • Vacation Safely at Chautauqua
          • Grounds Access and Operations
          • Visit Must-Dos
        • About
          • 150 Forward Strategic Plan
          • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) at Chautauqua
        • Arts Education
        • Classes
        • Resident Programs
          • Literary Arts
          • Chautauqua Opera Company & Conservatory
          • Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
          • Chautauqua Theater Company
          • Chautauqua Visual Arts
          • Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative
        • Explore the Grounds and Gardens
          • Maps and Directions
          • Accessibility at Chautauqua
          • Plaza Cam
          • Chautauqua Lake Conservation
        • Eat, Drink & Shop
          • Dining
          • Shopping & Services
        • Resources
          • The Smith Memorial Library
          • Post Office
          • Chautauqua Bookstore
          • Services & Amenities
          • Business Center
          • Chautauqua Lake Conservation
          • Property Owner Resources
          • Program Archive
          • Chautauqua Institution Archives
          • FAQs
          • The Chautauquan Daily
          • CHQ&A Podcast
          • Chautauqua Magazine
          • Grounds Policies
  • Accommodations
        • Weddings & Conferences
        • Athenaeum Hotel
        • Other Places To Stay
        • Private Rentals
        • Check Athenaeum Hotel Room Availability

  • Recreation
        • Chautauqua Health & Fitness Center
        • CHQ Trail
        • Golf Club
          • Golf Course
            • Membership Rates
            • Pro Shop
            • Scorecards
          • Events & Banquets
        • Golf Instruction
          • Adult Golf Clinics
          • Jr. Golf Clinics & Camps
          • Learning Center
          • Private Lessons
        • Golf Tournaments
          • Upcoming Events & Tournaments
          • Group Outings
          • NJCAA Golf Championship
  • Groups
        • Road Scholar
        • Book a Group Experience
        • Tour Chautauqua County
        • Chautauqua Travels
  • Festival Schools
        • School of Music
          • Conducting Fellowship
          • Instrumental Program
          • Piano Program
          • Opera Conservatory
        • Dance
        • Art
        • Theater
        • Chautauqua Music Camps
        • Alumni
  • Giving
        • Make a Donation
        • Membership Opportunities
        • Ways to Give
        • Foundation
        • Advancement
  • Buy Tickets
  • Give
  • Donate
  • Buy Tickets

looking for something?

  • Schedule
  • Discover Chautauqua, New York
    • Attend a Concert
    • New to Chautauqua
    • Plan Your Day Trip
    • Bring the Famliy
  • Events
    • Weekly Themes
      • Week One 2023
      • Week Two 2023
      • Week Three 2023
      • Week Four 2023
      • Week Five 2023
      • Week Six 2023
      • Week Seven 2023
      • Week Eight 2023
      • Week Nine 2023
    • Event Calendar
    • All Events
    • Experience Planner
  • Lectures
    • Chautauqua Lecture Series
    • Interfaith Lecture Series
    • Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Circle
    • Other Lectures
  • Performing & Visual Arts
    • Entertainment and Concerts
    • Galleries
    • Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and Classical Concerts
    • Chautauqua Chamber Music
      • Chautauqua Chamber Music: Guest Artist Series
      • Chautauqua Chamber Music: Resident Artist Series
    • Dance
  • Resident Programs
    • Chautauqua Theater Company
      • Our History
    • Chautauqua Opera Company
    • Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
      • Concerts & Events
      • CSO History
      • Support CSO
      • Musicians
      • Diversity Fellowship Program
      • CSO Openings
    • Literary Arts
      • Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle
      • Chautauqua Writers’ Center
      • Writers’ Festival
      • The Chautauqua Prize
      • The Chautauqua Janus Prize
      • Youth
      • Community
      • Literary Journal
      • Poetry Makerspace
    • Chautauqua Visual Arts
    • Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative
  • Religion
    • Daily Worship
    • Sacred Music
    • Mystic Heart Interspiritual Meditation Program
    • Abrahamic Program for Young Adults
    • Denominations and Religious Organizations
    • Charter For Compassion
    • CHQ Dialogues
  • Classes at Chautauqua
  • Recreation
    • Chautauqua Health & Fitness Center
    • Sports Club
    • Swimming
    • Golf Club
      • Golf Course
      • Golf Instruction
      • Events & Banquets
      • Corporate Membership Packages
      • The Double Eagle Patio on the Green
      • Tournaments, Events and Outings
    • Tennis Center
    • Sailing
    • Youth Recreation
    • CHQ Trail
  • Youth & Family
    • Day Camps
      • Children’s School
      • Group One
      • Boys’ and Girls’ Club
      • Youth and Family Programs Covid-19 Protocols
    • Educational Experiences
      • Young Readers Program
      • Young Writers Institute
      • Classes
    • Youth Activities Center (YAC)
    • Youth Recreation
    • Family Scholarship Program
    • Babysitting
    • Chautauqua Youth and Family Programs Advisory Group
      • Advisory Group Final Report
      • Institution Response: 150 Forward and Youth and Family Programs
      • Institution Response: Status Updates on Advisory Group Recommendations
    • Youth & Family Events
Misty Copeland and Darren Walker in conversation on the Amphitheater stage

Chautauqua Lecture Series

10:45 a.m. EDT Monday–Friday, Amphitheater

Ideas and opinions are exchanged in an open, challenging atmosphere, and Chautauqua’s knowledgeable audiences have the opportunity to participate in question-and-answer sessions at the conclusion of the lectures.

Week One :: June 24–July 1, 2023

On Friendship

There’s an oft-invoked medieval proverb: “Blood is thicker than water.” We take it to mean that bonds of the family are stronger than any other — that, simply, family comes first. But some have argued that the “blood” in the phrase is not one of family, but one of covenant, of choosing. This places heightened importance on friendship and fellowship, and on the family of our own making. But what is the state of friendship amidst evolving technology that both connects us and isolates us? Amidst a pandemic and a new normal that has further stratified various circles of intimacy? How has friendship evolved over time and generations, and how can we tend to and nurture the ties that bind us?


Week Two :: July 1–8, 2023

Games: A Celebration of Our Most Human Pastime

Games, in all their forms, share one common trait: Philosopher Bernard Suits once said that “playing a game is a voluntary attempt to overcome unnecessary obstacles.” For thousands of years, gameplay has been a part of human history, evolving alongside us as a species. Now, in the 21st century, we recognize that games can be more than games. They can aid education, generate revenue streams, or serve as welcome distractions. They can be a source of world-building and bonding, a space of contained competition and practice with real-world applications. From sports to puzzles, brain teasers to board games, this week we explore our capacity for self-created delight and how we rise to the surmountable challenges of our own making.


Week Three :: July 8–15, 2023

Can the Center Hold? — A Question for Our Moment

We can think of “the center” as the middle in political and economic terms: furthest from the edges of society and a place of status quo, moderation and balance. We also use center in reference to a physical space where a community comes together — to worship, to heal, to support one another. And “center” can mean the center of one’s being, the place one seeks in quiet moments of reflection. The center is many things, but is it foundational to a functioning society, or a construct that too often holds us back from progress and change? Does losing the center give way to extremism? In this week we consider who and what defines the center of society and why — or if — the center should be preserved.


Week Four :: July 15–22, 2023

The State of Believing

When we talk about the concept of “belief,” what do we mean? Some of our most deeply held beliefs aren’t just religious ones — they’re philosophical, political, intellectual, emotional. They can take the forms of faith and trust (or lack thereof) in institutions, or in each other. What we believe in private does shape our public identity, but long-held conventions have dictated that we leave our faith at the door of our public lives. How is this changing? What can science, religion, public opinion and politics teach us about the nature of what we believe, and why we believe it? In this week, we confront some of the hardest questions about ourselves, each other, and the world we must live in together.


Week Five :: July 22–29, 2023

Infrastructure: Building and Maintaining the Physical, Social and Civic Underpinnings of Society

Somewhere along the way, infrastructure became boring — the awe and joy with which a child greets the weekly garbage truck and hours spent on felt playmats of city streets give way to the “unsexy” business of routine maintenance and iterative improvements, of taxes and policy. Yet nothing remains more critical to our public lives than the evolution and safety of these systems. A year and a half after the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we offer a report card on progress toward shoring up, reinvigorating and reinventing the systems and structures that undergird American society, and perhaps rekindle our fascination in the built world around us. We’ll discuss the usual — the planes, trains and automobiles of our youthful fascinations, as well as roads, bridges, utilities and the like — but also ask whether our definition of “infrastructure” needs to be expanded. And what does the infrastructure of the future look like, and which places are leading the way (and how?)?


Week Six :: July 29–August 5, 2023

A Life of Literature

Of all art forms, literature enjoys a special sort of permanence and authority, creating canons for generation after generation to study and enjoy — and to interpret, adapt, and make their own. With new technologies, new genres, innovations in form and practice and, above all, evolving sensibilities and tastes, we look at how and why literature can take on new meaning for new readers. Who, and what, gives literature that meaning? In our history, how has literature provided a lens for our past and envisioned our future, or even shaped our future? Steeped in Chautauqua’s 150-year literary tradition, this week we explore the life of literature and how the literature of tomorrow is being shaped today.


Week Seven :: August 5–12, 2023

The National Parks: How America’s ‘Best Idea’ is Meeting 21st-Century Challenges

In 1872, two years before the founding of Chautauqua, President Ulysses S. Grant signed into a law a bill creating America’s first-ever national park. Now, 150 years after the creation of Yellowstone National Park, more than 400 sites around the country that honor not just the land, but the stories of America’s myriad peoples, have been added to that illustrious roster. How has what novelist and environmentalist Wallace Stegner once described as America’s “best idea” adapted and grown? What can the parks offer in our present moment, and how did COVID-19 drive America back to the land? From addressing conservation issues to stewarding our cultural and natural histories, how are national parks — and, in turn, we as citizens — modeling how to meet the challenges of our times? Most importantly, how can the national parks rise to the call to make public lands truly accessible to all Americans?


Week Eight :: August 12–19, 2023

Freedom of Expression, Imagination, and the Resilience of Democracy

Experiments in democratic society are enduring challenge and criticism the world over; yet democracy persists. Despite glaring imperfections that manifest as social unrest, community distress, and political crisis, the democratic ideal remains a beacon of hope and an example of resilience. This week explores the hallmark of democracy — freedom of expression — to better understand and appreciate its role in preserving and advancing democracy. We will also explore imagination as one of the most powerful tools of expression. Interdisciplinary and intergenerational experiences in the arts, religion, education and recreation — Chautauqua’s signature method — will guide us in this weeklong celebration of diverse perspectives and aspirations for what may well be democracy’s most closely held values and privileges.

*Oct. 19 Update: The original theme for Week Eight, “Exploring the Transformative Power of Music with Renée Fleming,” has been postponed to 2024 (precise dates to be announced in June).


Week Nine :: August 19–27, 2023

The Global South: Expanding the Scope of Geopolitical Understanding

A new geopolitical shorthand has emerged in recent years: The Global North and the Global South have replaced old constructs of East and West, third-world and first-world. And it is this Global South that we shift our attention to this week. In the Global South, African countries are seeing booms not just in population, but in science and economics. Latin American countries are pursuing more independent foreign policies. Traditional spheres of influence are shrinking, while others are developing in dynamic ways. At the same time, the South stands to be the first area impacted by food shortages and climate change — driving shifts of population, culture and politics across the rest of the globe. In this week, we examine how interconnected global interests truly are, and present a renewed focus on this often-overlooked geopolitical collective. What has it meant and does it mean going forward to have mis-regarded these entire parts of the world for so long — and it is too late to meaningfully shift this paradigm? And while we wrestle with these critical issues and questions, all through the week we will celebrate in a festival atmosphere the culture and history of the Global South through unique food and artistic offerings.


Confirmed Events

West-George_CLS_2023

June 26 @ 10:45 am Week One (June 24–July 1)

Robert P. George & Cornel West

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Senior_Jennifer_CLS_062723

June 27 @ 10:45 am Week One (June 24–July 1)

Jennifer Senior

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Franco_Marisa_CLS_062822

June 28 @ 10:45 am Week One (June 24–July 1)

Marisa G. Franco

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Astin_Sean_CLS_063023

June 30 @ 10:45 am Week One (June 24–July 1)

Sean Astin

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Shortz_Will_CLS_070723

July 7 @ 10:45 am Week Two (July 1–8)

Will Shortz

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Kristol_William_CLS_071023

July 10 @ 10:45 am Week Three (July 8–15)

Bill Kristol

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Bowler_Kate_CLS_071823

July 18 @ 10:45 am Week Four (July 15–22)

Kate Bowler

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Greene_Brian_CLS_071923_OPTION2

July 19 @ 10:45 am Week Four (July 15–22)

Brian Greene

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Guzman_Monica_CLS_072123_update

July 21 @ 10:45 am Week Four (July 15–22)

Mónica Guzmán

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Romer_Paul_CLS_0072423

July 24 @ 10:45 am Week Five (July 22–29)

Paul M. Romer

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Dewan_Leslie_CLS_072723

July 26 @ 10:45 am Week Five (July 22–29)

Leslie Dewan

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Towles_Amor_CLS_072723

July 27 @ 10:45 am Week Five (July 22–29)

Amor Towles

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Corrigan_Maureen_CLS_073123

July 31 @ 10:45 am Week Six (July 29–August 5)

Maureen Corrigan

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Alexander_Kwame_CLS_080223

August 2 @ 10:45 am Week Six (July 29–August 5)

Kwame Alexander

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Robinson_Kim Stanley_CLS_080423

August 4 @ 10:45 am Week Six (July 29–August 5)

Kim Stanley Robinson

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Fedarko_McBride_CLS_080823

August 8 @ 10:45 am Week Seven (August 5–12)

Kevin Fedarko & Pete McBride

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Mapp_Rue_CLS_080923

August 9 @ 10:45 am Week Seven (August 5–12)

Rue Mapp

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Smith_Anna_Deavere_CLS_081523

August 15 @ 10:45 am Week Eight (August 12–19)

Anna Deavere Smith

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Paresky_Pamela_CLS_081623_update

August 16 @ 10:45 am Week Eight (August 12–19)

Pamela Paresky

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Woodward_Bob_CLS_081723

August 17 @ 10:45 am Week Eight (August 12–19)

Bob Woodward

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Axelrod-Rove_2023

August 18 @ 10:45 am Week Eight (August 12–19)

David Axelrod & Karl Rove

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$39 Details
A KIDJO 19 – Fabrice Mabillot

August 23 @ 10:45 am Week Nine (August 19–27)

Angélique Kidjo

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details
Noor_Queen_CLS_082423

August 25 @ 10:45 am Week Nine (August 19–27)

Her Majesty Queen Noor

Amphitheater | CHQ Assembly

$30 Details

Save Your Trip

Fill out the form below to save your trip. You will receive a link to your saved list via email.

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Save Your Favorites

Fill out the form below to save your favorites. You will receive a link to your favorites list via email.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Hidden

Notice!

You have now entered the season. Some website content may differ depending on the current season we are in: Summer or Fall/Winter/Spring. You can toggle between the two season options at any time.

Okay

Subscribe to Chautauqua Institution’s email newsletter

  • About
  • Resources
  • Sustainability
  • Contact
  • Whistleblower Policy
  • Careers
  • Ethics Point
  • Privacy Policy
  • ADA Compliance
Chautauqua Institution
P.O. Box 28
One Ames Ave.
Chautauqua, N.Y. 14722

1.800.836.ARTS
  • Privacy Policy
  • ADA Compliance

© 2022 Chautauqua Institution. Chautauqua Institution is a non-profit organization, dependent upon your gifts to fulfill its mission. Gate tickets and other revenue cover only a portion of the cost of your Chautauqua experience.