Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
“Mellon Collie” gets an opera makeover by Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins
As the creator, frontman, and driving force behind the iconic The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan rose to stardom. Grammy winner Corgan’s massive, decade-defining double album “Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness” was built on his strong songwriting, commanding vocals, and inventive melodies. Now, he’s joined forces with his hometown company, Lyric Opera of Chicago, to celebrate the album’s 30th anniversary with his trademark inventiveness, imagination, and pushing of boundaries. “A Night Of Mellon Collie And Infinite Sadness” is the outcome, a brand-new commission that draws inspiration from one of the best alternative albums ever made. In a brand-new audiovisual experience, you’ll hear Corgan and special guests in addition to the magnificent sound of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra and Chorus. The seven-night run of “A Night Of Mellon Collie And Infinite Sadness” is scheduled for November 21–30, 2025. By combining all of Lyric‘s technological and creative resources, Corgan reimagines his masterpiece, creating a remarkably unique sound and visual experience that conflates the genres of rock, opera, and performance art. These historic performances promise to further magnify the legend of the original album and expand the definition and intention of opera. They feature newly commissioned orchestrations and arrangements by Corgan and James Lowe, who also conducts, along with costumes from House of Gilles by Gilles and Chloé Mendel Corgan.
It is thrilling to collaborate with Lyric head John Mangum, my musical partner James Lowe, and all of the artists at Lyric in reimagining this very special and historic album, and to discover how Lyric’s full operatic treatment is helping me experience my own compositions in powerful new ways. Opera and rock both tell stories of heightened emotions, and I am excited for both fans of my music and traditional opera fans to hear some truly inspired work; for the balance here is to honor both traditions in a magisterial way. Billy Corgan
In addition to being available to Lyric subscribers as part of a subscription package, tickets for “A Night Of Mellon Collie And Infinite Sadness” will go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 11 at 10:00 a.m. at lyricopera.org. The third studio album by The Smashing Pumpkins was “Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness”. It included the hits “1979,” “Tonight, Tonight,” and “Bullet With Butterfly Wings.”
Next season is filled with a tremendous range of lavish and powerful opera productions that we are excited to share with our audiences. I’m just as excited about the special performances like ‘A Night Of Mellon Collie And Infinite Sadness’ that open the aperture and expand the definition of opera and what an American opera company can be. The season clearly illustrates how this company continues to push the art form forward and create new work that can only happen in Chicago. John Mangum, general director, president and CEO of Lyric Opera of Chicago