The world premiere of Bel Canto the Opera, filmed at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, airs on Great Performances. Based on Ann Patchett‘s bestselling 2001 novel (inspired by the Peruvian hostage crisis of 1996-97), the new opera was composed by Jimmy López with a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz and curated by legendary soprano Renée Fleming, Lyric’s creative consultant.