The Lyric Opera of Chicago premiere of Handel’s 1745 opera, Hercules, is bound to be controversial, especially with director Peter Sellars at the helm. Sellars is famed for updating opera classics (like making Tannhäuser about a televangelist’s fall and resetting The Marriage of Figaro in the Trump Tower). So if you’ve paid attention to the advertising of Hercules, expect Sellars to inject plenty of commentary on the United States’ involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan in this operatic homefront tragedy. Hercules plays seven performances at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker. Performances sung in English with English surtitles are at 7:30 p.m. on March 4, 7, 16, 19 and 21, with 2 p.m. matinees March 10 and 13. Tickets are $33-$207. Call 312-332-2244 or visit www.lyricopera.org. Photo of American bass-baritone Eric Owens (pictured here in Doctor Atomic) in its Lyric Opera of Chicago premiere by Dan Rest