The Lyric Opera of Chicago: One of the Top Opera Companies in the Country
One of the greatest moments of my career began with a phone call from my opera manager, John Anderson, relaying the news that I was offered a principal cover job at one of the top opera companies in the United States, the Lyric Opera of Chicago. I was to cover one of the world's best countertenors, Anthony Roth Costanzo, in the company’s new production, Bel Canto, by Jimmy Lopez, with a libretto by Nilo Cruz. The opera was an adaptation of Ann Patchett’s novel by the same name, perhaps one of the best contemporary novels I have read in the last 20 years.
The cast was packed with stars: Danielle de Niese, J’Nai Bridges, Andrew Stenson, William Burden, and so many more. I am highlighting this opera company not only because of my personal experience working there, but because it is a leading example of how successful a classical music organization can be, and it is a beloved part of the Chicago scene.
Lyric Opera of Chicago was founded in 1954 by Carol Fox, Lawrence V. Kelly and Nicola Rescigno, but it was Fox who served as the founding general manager until 1980. The opera company officially bought the building that is home to the opera house (the former Civic Opera House) and the adjacent backstage space in 1993. It then started a $100 million campaign to renovate the captivating art-deco space. These renovations were completed by the start of the 1996 season.
Some of the great singers to have performed there in the early days were mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, sopranos Regine Crespin, Joan Sutherland and Anna Moffo, and tenor Alredo Kraus. Conductors at Lyric Opera have included Sir Andrew Davis, Richard Bonynge, Christopher Eschenbach and Paul Gemignani.
Besides the extraordinary performances that take place there, the two components of the company that really stand out are the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center and its educational outreach programming. The former was established in 1974, and is currently being administered by Dan Novak, Director; Craig Terry, Musical Director; Julia Faulker, Director of Vocal Studies; and Renee Fleming, Advisor. Faulkner was my teacher during my short time there, and I can easily say she was one of the best teachers I have ever had, not only based on her technical methods but as a supportive and kind mentor.
This program selects talent not just from around the country but also around the world, giving a handful of gifted, up-and-coming artists the opportunity to train with the company, understudy, and play roles in the season’s productions. So many of Lyric Opera’s singers go on to have substantial careers. On the education side, the company has created community and school programs in the Chicago area to encourage and engage families to learn more about music and opera.
The success of Lyric Opera speaks for itself, as audiences continue to pack the beautiful, art-deco house, for an array of traditional works, new commissions, and productions part of its very popular musical theater series. The space draws people from downtown Chicago as well as from the vast sprawling suburbs. It is a major achievement for any opera singer to work at this celebrated opera company, and I couldn’t be more proud to have the opportunity to work with the amazing talent and leadership of Lyric Opera of Chicago.
For more information: https://www.lyricopera.org/