The collective of the Lithuanian Opera consists of people of different ages and different professions. They have one goal in common - love for music. Board members, soloists, music and art directors, choir members, and dancers of the opera choreographic group donate their time and energy in order to maintain this unique organization, because not a single national group in America, even incomparably more numerous than the Lithuanians, has an opera team. From the very first production of the opera in 1957, a high, professional level of preparation was shown. It is not only maintained, but also improved. For a professional, state-supported theater, regular continuation of operations is a normal phenomenon, but for a leisure opera theater created by a national group of emigrants, its constancy is considered an exceptional phenomenon.

With the great wave of emigration, which began in 1948, when thousands of Lithuanians came from Europe to the USA, a new, different kind of cultural movement of Lithuanians in this region also began to shine. One of them was the choir of Lithuanian exile men in Chicago, which started its activities in 1949. The initiators of that choir were Vytautas Radžius and Albinas Dzirvonas, who invited Alfonsas Gečas to conduct the choir. After several years of successful performances, the idea was born that this choir could also perform more complex opera works. And in 1956, July 7. at the board meeting, it was firmly decided to stage "Rigoletto" by D. Verdi. This day is considered the beginning of the Lithuanian Opera.

Over the many years of its existence, the choir has sung countless world-famous operas and operettas, some even several times. Works by Lithuanian composers were also performed: "Jūratė ir Kąstytis" by K. V. Banaitis, "Juodas laivas" by J. Kačinskas, "Priesaika" by V. Marijošius, "Gintaro šaly" by J. Gaidelis, "Pilėnai" by Vytautas Klova, "Gražina" by J. Karnavičius. The Lithuanian Opera Choir has participated in all Lithuanian song festivals in the USA and Canada (except for the 9th one), as well as singing symphonic concerts and performing concert programs in commemorations of Lithuanian national holidays.

The opera choir with soloists and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performed Verdi's "Requiem" and Markaitis' "Vilniaus Varpai" in the huge McCormick Hall. This concert was dedicated to those who died for the freedom of Lithuania. A grand symphonic concert prepared in Vatican by the choir to mark the 600th anniversary of the baptism of Lithuania, joint productions with the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theater in Vilnius (A. Ponchielli's opera "I Lituani") and with the Kaunas Music Theater (K.V. Banaitis' opera "Jūratė ir Kastytis" ")

All the soloists of the Lithuanian Opera (except for a few who were invited only as substitutes) were and still are Lithuanians. This is very important, because the opera theater, where the important roles, even in Lithuanian, are played by foreigners, would not be interesting for the Lithuanian community. It would be difficult to list all the performers of solo parts. The great Chicago soloists who performed the main parts since the beginning of the Lithuanian Opera, such as Algirdas Brazis, Stasys Baras, Dana Stankaitytė and Jonas Vaznelis, Julius Savrimas, Arnoldas Vokietaitis, Aldona Stempužienė, Vaclovas Momkus and others, were and are the precious assets of the Lithuanian community of this region .

Many famous soloists have also sung at the Lithuanian Opera: Violeta Urmana, Virgilijus Noreika, and others. After Lithuanian independence, the Lithuanian Opera began to invite soloists from Lithuania. We want to celebrate soloists Nida Grigalavičiūte, Gilija Krūmaitienė, Vilma Skučienė, Genovaite Bigenyte, Lijana Kolpūstaite-Pauleti and Linus Sprindži who live in Chicago, who perform solo parts in performances staged by the Lithuanian Opera and take part in upcoming concerts.
Over the years, the Lithuanian Opera was conducted by: Aleksandras Kučiūnas, Vytautas Marijošius, Alvydas Vasaitis, Aloyzas Jurgutis, Arūnas Kaminskas, Bronius Kazēnas, Vytautas Viržonis, Julius Geniušas, Vytautas Lukočiuskuris. For most of the years, the Opera was conducted by Alvydas Vasaitis, who was awarded the Commander's Cross of the 3rd degree for his services to Lithuania in 2003.
Former choirmasters: Alfonsas Gečas, Antanas Linas, Alice Stephens, Faustas Strolia, Bernardas Prapuolenis, Emilija Sakadolskienė, Manigirdas Motekaitis, Robert Mockus, Audronė Gaižiūnienė, Ričardas Sokas, Alfonsas Seniūnas, Gitana Snapkauskaitė-Variakojienė, Jūratė Grabliauskienė.
The current director of the choir is Nida Grigalavičiūtė.

We cannot forget the core of loyal choristers. Singers who recently arrived in America (third wave) also joined the ranks of the choir and continue the work they started. In the last decade, a choreographic group joined the collective of the Lithuanian Opera. However, neither the constantly changing soloists, choristers, conductors, choirmasters, nor the production of other operas or operettas have changed the original ambition: to give the Lithuanians of America an opera performed in the Lithuanian language.

In 1960, the daily "Draugas" wrote: "The Lithuanian production of the opera has fulfilled a great mission, winning recognition and appreciation among foreigners. The invitation of the male choir to sing at the Lyric Opera House is one of the achievements. This achievement is not materially worthy of attention, but the fact that it has reached wider waters is the name of Lithuania. The wider that name sounds, the stronger we put our foot in the field of freedom struggle. In the field of culture and art, we must raise our abilities to such a height that we not only strengthen ourselves, but also draw the eyes of others to us."

For more than a decade, the Lithuanian Opera has been cooperating with the State Opera and Ballet Theater and the Kaunas and Klaipėda State Music Theaters in order to introduce Lithuanians in America to the most talented Lithuanian soloists and conductors.

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus wrote: "I am especially happy that the Lithuanian Opera is the only national opera in the United States of America. Therefore, its activities have always spread and nurtured not only artistic, but also national values, gathered emigrants and spread the spirit of beauty and Lithuanianness from generation to generation. For all Lithuanians, no matter where they live, the Lithuanian Opera was, is and, I have no doubt, will always be a bright beacon of national and world culture. It was on the stage of the Lithuanian Opera that the most outstanding soloists and conductors, directors and scenographers appeared, and the most famous national and world opera works were staged. For this beautiful activity, I thank all past and present opera performers and managers, whose concerns, work and creativity spread and nurture the love of the homeland".

In 2010, Cook county treasurer Maria Papas presented the Lithuanian Opera with the Award of Excellence for 54 years of outstanding opera productions.

However, no serious artistic level can be achieved without a solid financial foundation. The tickets sold for the performance cover only 40 percent of the total necessary expenses. As production costs increase, we can no longer delight you with a new opera performance every year, as it was before. However, our cool team does not give up and continues to pursue its set goal. Not only the Lithuanian Opera is a non-profit organization, but all members of this unique collective are also non-profit enthusiasts. Therefore, we believe that the Lithuanian Opera will continue to be important to the Lithuanian community, that new patrons will appear and will continue to delight your hearts.