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L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O
44
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October 6 - 20, 2018
CAROLYN S. BUCKSBAUM
Lyric Opera sincerely appreciates the extraordinary leadership and
generosity of Kay Bucksbaum. An avid subscriber and longtime
patron of Lyric with her late husband Matthew, the Bucksbaum
Family’s very generous challenge grant re-established Lyric’s
regional and national/international radio broadcasts in 2006.
Kay’s incredible continued matching support made possible
The Lyric Opera Broadcasts from 2006-18. “Lyric is a great national institution,”
Matthew once said, “and it gives our family great pleasure to know these broadcasts
bring Lyric’s wonderful performances to so many in Chicago and around the globe.”
Allan E. Bulley, III
BULLEY & ANDREWS
Founded in 1891, Bulley & Andrews is one of the Midwest’s
most trusted and accomplished construction companies. The
fourth generation, family-owned firm offers clients a full range of
construction services including general contracting, construction
management, design/build, and masonry and concrete restoration.
Bulley & Andrews has, for many seasons, supported Lyric
Unlimited’s
Performances for Students
programs, and is a cosponsor
of Lyric’s
Ring
cycle, including this
season’s
Siegfried
. Lyric is pleased to have Allan E. Bulley,
III as a member of its Board of Directors.
John and Alice Butler
THE BUTLER FAMILY
FOUNDATION
Longtime subscribers from Dubuque, Iowa, John and
Alice Butler recently made a leadership gift to Lyric’s
Breaking New Ground Campaign’s stage improvement
project. John says, “When Alice and I heard that Lyric
was unable to share productions with other houses due
to our outdated and unreliable stage technology, we
understood that to be a serious problem that needed to be addressed. We believe in
Lyric’s mission to be the best opera company in North America, and in order to be
the best, we must have access the best productions.” Lyric Opera is honored to have
John Butler serve on its Board of Directors and Investment Committee.
DAVID and ORIT CARPENTER
David and Orit Carpenter have been staunch supporters
of Lyric for many years and made a generous planned gift
to the Breaking New Ground Campaign to help ensure
that Lyric will be available for many future generations to
enjoy. In addition to their longtime personal support of
Lyric’s Annual Campaign, David has helped secure eight
production cosponsorships, including this season's company premiere of
Ariodante
,
through Sidley Austin LLP, where he was a Partner for more than 30 years. Orit is a
valuable resource for the Ryan Opera Center, working with the artists on performance
psychology. Lyric is honored to have David serve on its Board of Directors and
Production Sponsorship Committee.
CENTENE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Charitable outreach is an important part of Centene Corporation's business
philosophy. Since 2004, Centene Charitable Foundation has contributed a substantial
amount to initiatives that improve the quality of life and health in our communities.
Through our donations to organizations in the arts, we are not only sustaining the
ongoing cultural traditions, but also paving the way for future generations to
experience the arts. This season, Centene Charitable Foundation is providing
leadership support for
EmpowerYouth! Igniting Creativity through the Arts
, a
groundbreaking multi-disciplinary afterschool program offered in partnership
between Lyric Unlimited and the Chicago Urban League that will culminate in the
presentation of a fully staged, youth-centric
opera based on participants’ real-life
experiences.
Elizabeth F. Cheney
ELIZABETH F. CHENEY FOUNDATION
Lyric remains deeply grateful for the long-term generosity of the
Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, one of Chicago’s nonprofit
leaders in arts support. The Cheney Foundation has made a multi-
year commitment to the Ryan Opera Center/Lyric Opera. During
the 2018/19 season, the Cheney Foundation is supporting the
Director of Vocal Studies faculty position; the singer sponsorship
of tenor Mario Rojas, and Guest Master Teacher and Artist
residencies. Lyric is honored to have foundation director Allan
Drebin serve on its Board of Directors, and the Ryan Opera Center Board.
MRS. JOHN V. CROWE
Peggy and the late Jack Crowe are generous and passionate
members of the Lyric family, evidenced by their major
support of the Breaking New Ground Campaign and
the Renée Fleming Initiative. Jack and Peggy Crowe's
significant contribution to Lyric was recognized in naming
the Isabelle Cavagnaro Crowe Foyer on the fifth floor in
memory of Jack Crowe's mother. Lyric was very fortunate to have Jack Crowe serve
as an esteemed member of the Executive Committee of Lyric's Board of Directors.
Lester and Renée Crown
THE CROWN FAMILY
Two of Chicago’s leading philanthropists, Renée and
Lester Crown, are devoted patrons of Lyric Opera. The
Crown Family is a sponsor of the Renée Fleming Initiative
and made generous gifts to Lyric’s Annual Campaign and
Breaking New Ground Campaign. Mrs. Crown is a past
President of the Women’s Board and is this season's
Renée Fleming 25th Anniversary Gala Chair. Mr. Crown
joined Lyric’s Board of Directors in 1977 and has served as Chairman of the
Executive Committee ever since. In 2004, Renée and Lester Crown were recipients
of the Carol Fox Award, presented in recognition of their outstanding leadership and
commitment to Lyric. Lyric is also honored to have Mrs. Nancy Carrington Crown
serve on its esteemed Women’s Board. Lyric is forever indebted to The Crown Family
for their many years of dedicated service to Lyric Opera of Chicago.
THE DAVEE FOUNDATION
Lyric Opera is extremely grateful to The Davee Foundation and the late Ruth
Dunbar and Ken M. Davee for their tremendous generosity over the years. The
Foundation’s exemplary support of Chicago-area charities reflects the Davees’ wide-
ranging interests, including their great love of music and the arts. Lyric is fortunate
to be among the organizations benefiting from The Davee Foundation’s enduring
philanthropy, which helps secure Lyric’s future for generations to come. The
Davee Foundation provided critical preliminary support to enhance amplification
and sound systems used in the Musical Theater Initiative, and has generously
cosponsored each production in the initiative, including this season’s
West Side Story.
STEFAN T. EDLIS and GAEL NEESON
Passionate patrons of the arts, Stefan Edlis and Gael
Neeson are actively involved with organizations in
Chicago, New York, and Aspen. Mr. Edlis and Ms.
Neeson have supported and subscribed to Lyric Opera for
more than 30 years. They have cosponsored six mainstage
operas, including last season’s
Faust
and this season’s
Siegfried
. Stefan and Gael also made a leadership gift to the Breaking New Ground
Campaign. Lyric is honored to have Stefan Edlis serve on its Board of Directors and
Production Sponsorship Committee.
EXELON
The philanthropic initiatives of Exelon Corporation help generate and sustain
Chicago’s cultural stature and economic vitality. For several decades, Exelon has
generously supported the Annual Campaign, Fantasy of the Opera, Wine Auction,
and the Great Opera Fund as well as Lyric’s education and community engagement
programs. Exelon’s many cosponsorships have included
Rusalka
(2013/14), Lyric’s
second mariachi opera,
El Pasado Nunca Se Termina
(2014/15), and
The Marriage of
Figaro
(2015/16). This season, Exelon is generously
cosponsoring Lyric’s production of
Elektra.
Lyric is
fortunate to have Exelon as an outstanding corporate
partner.