Lillian Murphy is a lyric coloratura soprano with considerable range and interests, from opera to recital and oratorio literature to musical theater.
Active as both a soloist and professional chorister, Lillian has been performing in the Chicago area since 1998, singing with the Grant Park Symphony Chorus (1998-2000) and the Chicago Symphony Chorus, first on its Berlin tour in the spring of 1999 and then as a full member the following season. She currently appears as a member of the professional choruses of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Church of the Ascension. Lillian has also performed as a soloist for Christ the King Lutheran Church in Chicago’s South Loop and the Yorkshire Carolers, a professional holiday caroling group in Chicago.
Chicago theatrical engagements include Quilters with TheaterHikes, The Ceiling (a new musical), and productions of Bitter Sweet and Ragtime with Light Opera Works. Before moving to Chicago, Lillian performed the soprano solos in Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Poulenc’s Gloria. A long-time lover of Stephen Sondheim’s musicals, she appeared in two musical revues featuring his works in the early 1990’s. In 2002, she recorded a live program of songs titled Love Sucks! Sondheim Style with Chicago accompanist and vocal coach Celeste Rue.
Lillian's most recent recital program, "The Madonna, Mothers, and Ordinary Women," accompanied by Saori Chiba, was performed on International Women's Day (March 8) 2008 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago. She also performed a solo recital in March 2006 with accompanist and coach Marta Johnson at the same venue. She is also active in using her skills as a performer to raise money for important causes, including Habitat for Humanity’s work to assist victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (November 2005), a benefit concert for the Rev. Clarence L. Hilliard Memorial Center (September 2006), and a benefit concert for Christ the King Lutheran Church (August 2007).