Lyric Opera 2018-2019 Issue 4 Siegfried

L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O 44 | November 3 - 16, 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 John says, “When Alice and I heard that Lyric was unable to share productions with other houses due to our outdated and unreliable stage technology, we understood that to be a serious problem that needed to be addressed.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. 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.