Lyric Opera 2018-2019 Issue 11 Ariodante

A R I A S P O T L I G H T | 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 S E A S O N March 2 - 17, 2019 | 35 Jealousy, intrigue, deception, and bloodshed! What could be more romantic? ere is something undeni- ably captivating about Puccini’s Tosca , and although he knew little of the opera and its compelling tale of passion and revenge, the distinguished film critic Roger Ebert invited Chaz Hammel-Smith to a performance of this melodramatic tour de force at the Lyric Opera House on September 25, 1989. It was a memorable first date, and one that would bring them, and Lyric, together in an enduring love story. Opera formed an integral part of Chaz and Roger’s lives. Loyal subscrib- ers for many years, their favorite seats at Lyric were on the Main Floor in Row F – close enough to feel the energy and potent emotions emanating from the stage, yet at the same time take in the grandeur of the staging and scale of productions. In time, their subscription grew to include many members of the family, some of whom were equally inspired and who continue to attend performances as regular patrons throughout the operatic seasons. Following a thyroid cancer diag- nosis in 2006, Roger was to face his greatest challenge, ably supported by Chaz. She recalls how his first trip out of the hospital was to Lyric for a performance of Così fan tutte . e medical treatments and debilitating illness had taken their toll, and Roger, unable to walk, would not be able to sit in Row F and instead took seats in a box. Determined to return to the seats they loved, and with Chaz by his side, her love and encouragement spurring him on, Roger went through rehabilitation until he could walk to their seats once again. For the rest of their time attending performances at Lyric, Roger and Chaz sat as close to the stage as possible, taking in all of opera’s mesmerizing power in one of the country’s greatest settings. Growing up on the near west side of Chicago, Chaz vividly remembers her first opera. She joined her high school on a visit to Lyric to see Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila and was utterly transfixed. e final scene when Samson’s fury and rage are unleashed as he pulls down the pillars of the temple was unforgettable and impressed upon Chaz that opera could be a place to explore deep expressions of human emotion. Today, Chaz serves on Lyric’s Board of Directors and wants to focus her energies on Lyric Unlimited. Her aim is to ensure that young people and underrepresented commu- nities have the opportunity to experience opera, breaking down the conceptions of elitism. She says, “Opera is a lantern that has illuminated my life. It is a true joy to share this spellbinding art form.” She also wants to see young composers given the space to create fresh, new operatic work for the 21st century. Chaz Ebert: Illuminating a Spellbinding Art Form Chaz takes a great deal of interest in many other cultural art forms including theater, film, and the visual arts. Architecture, in particular, holds a unique place in her heart. Buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe, Frank Gehry, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Helmut Jahn fascinate and captivate her imagina- tion. As Chaz travels the world, she makes it a personal quest to actively seek out opera houses in other cities, especially the finest examples in New York, London, Paris, Madrid, and Venice, among others. is provides the opportunity for studying their design and how architecture influences the audience’s interactions with the opera and each other. Opera and archi- tecture, of course, come together at Lyric in the stunning Art Deco opera house designed by the renowned firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White. According to Chaz, “Lyric is the most beautiful opera house in the world. e company can mount productions on a grand scale not seen elsewhere, the acoustics are superb, and the dra- matic staircase leading from the foyer creates a fantastic space to mingle in during intermission.” When she is not in the Lyric Opera House or supporting the Board, Chaz serves as chief executive officer of e Ebert Company and as president of the Roger & Chaz Ebert Foundation. She carries on her husband’s legacy by funding Ebert Fellows in film and media criticism at the University of Illinois and the Sundance Institute. e Fellows, drawn from emerging writers, film critics, filmmakers, and technologists, are encouraged to view their work through the four principles of empathy, kindness, com- passion, and forgiveness. It is with these tenets in mind that we are proud to honor Chaz for her continuing support of Lyric, for her unyielding commitment to the arts, and for being a valued and beloved member of the Lyric family. — Amber Cullen Chaz and Roger Ebert at Lyric during the 2001/02 season. DAN REST