The Lithuanian Opera Company of Chicago was founded by Lithuanian emigrants in 1956,[1] and presents operas in Lithuanian. It celebrated fifty years of existence in 2006, and operates as a not-for-profit organization. It is noteworthy for performing the rarely staged Rossini's William Tell (1986) and Ponchielli's I Lituani (1981, 1983 and 1991), and also for contributing experienced chorus singers to the Lyric Opera of Chicago.[2] The opera Jūratė and Kastytis (opera) by Kazimieras Viktoras Banaitis was presented in Chicago, Illinois in 1996.[3]
Lithuanians operas were sometimes held at Maria High School in Chicago and such operas are now sometimes held at Morton East High School in Cicero, Illinois.