A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness

November 21. 2025 - November 30. 2025

Friday
11/21/2025
7:30 PM

Tickets

Starting at $199

Saturday
11/22/2025
7:30 PM

Tickets

Starting at $199

Tuesday
11/25/2025
7:30 PM

Tickets

Starting at $209

  • ASL-interpreted performance

Wednesday
11/26/2025
7:30 PM

Tickets

Starting at $205

Best availability

Friday
11/28/2025
7:30 PM

Tickets

Starting at $179

Saturday
11/29/2025
7:30 PM

Tickets

Starting at $209

Sunday
11/30/2025
7:30 PM

Tickets

Starting at $185

Best availability

November 21. 2025 - November 30. 2025

Tickets

An alt-rock masterpiece, reborn. A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness

Billy Corgan achieved stratospheric fame as the founder, frontman, and creative force behind the legendary Smashing Pumpkins. A Grammy winner whose powerful songwriting, commanding vocals, and inventive melodies were the foundation for the massive, decade-defining double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Corgan now teams up with Lyric Opera of Chicago, his hometown company, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this groundbreaking album with his signature boundary-pushing, innovation, and imagination.

The result is A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness, a new commission inspired by one of the greatest alternative albums of all time. You’ll hear Billy Corgan and special guest artists along with the epic sound of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus in a completely new, sonic and visual experience. Whether you love the Pumpkins and are excited to hear their music in a sumptuous new dimension, or you simply crave the opportunity to hear a new work inspired by the unexpected, this promises to be one of the can't-miss cultural collaborations of the season.

  • Running Time: 2 hours, including 1 intermission
  • Location: Lyric Opera House
  • Arrangements & Orchestrations by: James Lowe and Billy Corgan
  • View Full Calendar

Add a merchandise package

The Impossible Is Possible Tonight VIP Package

The Impossible Is Possible Tonight VIP Package

Make your night even more unforgettable with an exclusive VIP package that delivers even more magic during A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness.

The Impossible is Possible Tonight VIP Package includes:

  • Capture the Moment: Enjoy a special photo opportunity featuring iconic elements from the set design of A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness with Lyric Opera of Chicago - perfect for commemorating your unforgettable evening.

  • Collectible Tour Print: Receive a limited-edition tour print from A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness with Lyric Opera of Chicago

  • Exclusive Merchandise Pack: Take home an exclusive A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness with the Lyric Opera of Chicago merch bundle available only to VIP guests

  • VIP Entrance Access: Skip the lines and enter the theater through a dedicated VIP entrance

(you must already be a ticket holder for Mellon Collie if you would like to upgrade to a VIP package)

LEARN MORE

Videos

Swipe

Jeff Ritchie on designing for "A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness"

"This record, and this place, those instruments...I think people are going to be blown away."

Artist Jeff Ritchie shares how he first began working with Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins and what it means to design the set pieces for A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Billy Corgan on "A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness"

In November 2025, Chicago rock icon Billy Corgan celebrates the 30th Anniversary of The Smashing Pumpkins' seminal album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadnes" at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Featuring the Lyric Opera Orchestra, Chorus, and operatic soloists, this is Mellon Collie like you've never heard it before.

 

Articles

Swipe

Spotlight on Zoie Reams

Grounded in classical technique, yet fearless in contemporary repertoire and crossover projects, mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams has become a familiar face at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Get to know the Hyde Park-born singer and see her in Cherubini's "Medea" and Billy Corgan's "A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness" this season.
Read More

Terrific trios from Lyric's 2025/26 Season

The upcoming season at Lyric offers a wealth of incredible performances, featuring both exciting new works and timeless classics. With a variety of exceptional productions to choose from, why not create your own perfect trio of performances?
Read More

Billy Corgan and Lyric Opera of Chicago: A Visionary Collaboration

For more than three decades, Billy Corgan has been an architect of sonic innovation, reshaping alternative rock with The Smashing Pumpkins. This fall, he embarks on an unprecedented collaboration with Lyric Opera of Chicago to present A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness, a reimagining of the seminal double album with full orchestral and choral arrangements. We spoke with Corgan about how this unique project came to be, his connection to Lyric, and his vision for the performance.
Read More

Artists

  • Billy Corgan

    Billy Corgan *

    Composer/Vocals

  • Sydney Mancasola

    Sydney Mancasola

    Soprano

  • Zoie Reams

    Zoie Reams

    Mezzo-soprano

  • Dominick Valdés Chenes

    Dominick Valdés Chenes *

    Tenor

  • Edward Parks

    Edward Parks

    Baritone

  • James Lowe

    James Lowe

    Conductor

  • Katie Spelman

    Katie Spelman *

    Director

  • Chris Maravich

    Chris Maravich

    Lighting Designer

  • Greg Emetaz

    Greg Emetaz

    Projection Designer

  • Michael Black

    Michael Black

    Chorus Director

Pete Wiejaczka
Sound Designer & Audio Mix Engineer

House of Gilles by Gilles and Chloé Mendel *
Costumes

 

* Lyric debut

Ticket information

  • This is a premium event with no refunds and exchanges. Ticket prices are inclusive of purchase fees. Resale fees may apply.

  • Ticket limit for A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness across all performances is 9 seats. Groups of 10 or more can secure tickets by completing this request form.

  • Thank you for your patience with higher than normal web and phone volume.

  • Digital tickets may be accessed through wallet.lyricopera.org, using the same email address and password used to purchase your tickets. Screenshots of digital tickets will not be accepted.

  • Check out the Lyric Opera House seating chart below to get a feel for sections of the house and scope out where you’d like to purchase.

  • Pit seats are premium seating placed over the orchestra pit area in the front of the theater with the closest view of the stage.

  • Lyric's 20 N. Wacker Street Box Office is open Wednesday, April 9 through Friday, April 11 from 10am - 3pm and is now cashless, taking credit card purchases only.

  • Lyric Opera of Chicago is a registered non-profit organization (501c3), and your purchase helps support its mission to provide world-class opera, educational programs, and community engagement. Thank you for helping to bring the power of music to life!

  • Lyric Opera of Chicago is the only authorized seller for A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness. Tickets purchased through unauthorized third-party brokers may not be valid or could be subject to additional fees. For guaranteed access and authenticity, please buy your tickets exclusively through lyricopera.org/melloncollie.

Seating chart

New to Lyric Opera of Chicago? Take a look at the seating chart below to get a sense of our theater layout before you check out.

Program book

Go inside this production of A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness with engaging articles, artist bios, and more.

Download program book

Sponsors

Lyric’s presentation of Billy Corgan’s A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness is generously made possible by Abbott.

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Chorus is generously sponsored by an Anonymous Lead Sponsor.