This week the Lyric Opera of Chicago announced at a press conference it has forged a creative partnership with the ever popular theater troupe Second City. On January 5, 2013, at the Civic Opera House, renowned soprano Renée Fleming will be joined by members of the collective for “The Second CIty Guide to the Opera.”

The venture, which will undoubtedly capture the attention of a broader audience for the Lyric Opera, is part of the organization’s Lyric Unlimited initiative that includes several other community engagement projects to be announced in the coming months. General director Anthony Freud explained to the Chicago Tribune it is not just about broadening the Lyric Opera’s audience but also about exploring “how our art form can develop in new and unexpected ways.”

Fleming reportedly pursued the opportunity when she attended a show at Second City and noticed the theater was using unlicensed recordings of her voice in skits. Instead of threatening to sue, Fleming sensed the merging of both creative ventures was natural.

Tickets for the general public will be on sale on August 1.