CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Lyric Opera of Chicago is climbing into the ring for its latest production: “Champion,” by composer Terence Blanchard and based on the true story of welterweight boxer Emile Griffith.
Griffith, who was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, won world titles in three weight divisions. He’s perhaps best known, though, for a 1962 bout in which Griffith threw a punch that killed his opponent Benny Paret.
“Sports and opera come together really well because singing opera is very much an athletic event,” said Justin Austin, who sings the role of the young Griffith.
As a professional performer, Austin said he related to the discipline professional boxers need to have for their craft. He added, though, that Griffith had a “very operatic life — a very rich, interesting [and] painful life in so many ways.”
“Champion” examines how Griffith comes to terms with what Lyric officials described as “the complex realities of his life.” Those realities include that 1962 fight and his own conflicted feelings about his sexuality.
“This is a very interesting piece because it’s definitely the story of a boxer, but it’s not an opera about boxing,” Austin said.
Reginald Smith Jr., who plays Griffith in his years after his boxing career, struck a similar tone.
“It’s definitely playing a very complex character, which I think makes it even more exciting as a performer, but also as an audience member,” Smith said.
“Champion” opens Jan. 27.
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