Lyric Opera 2018-2019 Issue 4 Siegfried

A R I A S O C I E T Y S P O T L I G H T | 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 November 3 - 16, 2018 | 47 THE RICHARD P. and SUSAN KIPHART FAMILY Susie Kiphart is an esteemed member of the Lyric Opera family. She is immediate past President of the Ryan Opera Center Board, Chair of the Ryan Opera Center Nominating Committee, and serves on the Lyric Unlimited Committee. Along with her beloved late husband Dick Kiphart, Susie is a passionate philanthropist. They have made leadership contributions to the Campaign for Excellence, of which Dick served as chairman, and the Breaking New Ground Campaign.They have given major support for Lyric's radio programming as members of the broadcast consortium, sponsorship of Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members, and have been generous sponsors of the Renee Fleming Initiative. Lyric will forever be grateful for the visionary leadership of the late Dick Kiphart. He was a past President and CEO as well as Chairman of Lyric’s Board of Directors, Chairman of the Nominating/Governance Committee, and a member of the Executive, Finance and Production Sponsorship Committees. The Kipharts’ enthusiasm for opera and heartfelt commitment to Lyric are tremendous assets to the company, and in recognition of their passion and immense dedication they received the Carol Fox Award, Lyric’s highest honor, in 2013. Linda K. Myers KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP Kirkland&Ellis LLP has a more than 100-year history of providing exceptional service to clients in Chicago and around the world in complex litigation, corporate and tax, intellectual property, restructuring, and counseling matters. The firm is committed to enhancing quality of life through educational opportunities, cultural awareness, youth programs, and community outreach. Kirkland & Ellis LLP has cosponsored several operas, most recently The Merry Widow (2015/16), and was Lead Corporate Sponsor of the Chicago Voices Gala Benefit (2016/17). Lyric Opera is fortunate to have Linda K. Myers, a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, as a member of its Board of Directors, Executive, and Production Sponsorship Committees. NANCY W. KNOWLES Opera always played an important role in the life of the late Nancy W. Knowles. Her love for the art form was nurtured by her family’s musical traditions. “My father had hundreds and hundreds of records to play,” she fondly recalled, “so classical music was always in my home.” Nancy Knowles generously invested her time, talents, and leadership abilities to advance Lyric as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and formerly as a Guild Board member. In recognition of her extraordinary gift to the Campaign for Excellence, Lyric named the Nancy W. Knowles Lobby in 2007. Ms. Knowles once again made a significant gift in support of the Breaking New Ground Campaign to support the Nancy W. Knowles Student and Family Performances fund. Ms. Knowles generously underwrote several mainstage operas. In recognition of her outstanding generosity and enthusiasm, she received the Carol Fox Award, Lyric’s highest honor, in 2014. Lyric will forever be grateful for Nancy's extraordinary generosity. NANCY and SANFRED KOLTUN Close members of the Lyric family as longtime subscribers and generous supporters, Nancy and Sanfred were Ryan Opera Center Singer Cosponsors for many years and cosponsored the Lyric Unlimited family opera The Magic Victrola. Last season they joined the production sponsorship family with their generous support of Così fan tutt e, and enjoyed the experience so much they are cosponsors of this season’s La traviata . "In the fall of 1954, I attended Carmen , staged by the precursor of the Lyric. That night I fell in love with Carmen , opera, and my date. We were married shortly thereafter. Nancy and I have loved Lyric Opera and have always supported one of the most cherished cultural institutions of Chicago. It is our hope that our children, grandchildren and those beyond will be able to attend the Lyric and appreciate what a gem is in their midst." MR. and MRS. FRED A. KREHBIEL Kay and Fred Krehbiel are longstanding dedicated members of the Lyric Opera family. Lyric gratefully acknowledges their generous contributions to Wine Auction, the Annual Campaign, and the Breaking New Ground Campaign. Kay Krehbiel is a leading and cherished member of Lyric’s Women’s Board, and Fred Krehbiel is a National Director of Lyric’s Board of Directors. JOSEF and MARGOT LAKONISHOK Devoted members of the Lyric family, Josef and Margot Lakonishok have subscribed to Lyric for many seasons. They have contributed to the Annual Campaign, and made a significant gift to the Breaking New Ground Campaign. They have also cosponsored several mainstage productions, including last season’s Orphée et Eurydice and this season's new coproduction of Ariodante . The CEO of LSV Asset Management, Josef Lakonishok is a dedicated member of Lyric’s Board of Directors, serving on the Executive, Finance, and Investment Committees. NIX LAURIDSEN and VIRGINIA CROSKERY LAURIDSEN Nix Lauridsen and Virginia Croskery Lauridsen of Des Moines, Iowa, join the Aria Society this year with special gifts to The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, including cosponsorship of Rising Stars in Concert and Lead Sponsorship of the 2018 Ryan Opera Center Final Auditions. As an alumna of the Ryan Opera Center, Virginia is thrilled that she and her husband Nix are able to support these incredible emerging artists. Nix is the chairman of LGI (Lauridsen Group Inc.) and a recent inductee into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame. He is a relative newcomer to the opera world but loves the excitement of the genre. The Lauridsens are pleased to be part of the Lyric family and look forward to an exciting new season. JOHN D. and CATHERINE T. MacARTHUR FOUNDATION The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including over- incarceration, global climate change, nuclear risk, and significantly increasing financial capital for the social sector. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program, the Foundation supports creativity in Chicago through its arts and culture grantmaking. The Foundation’s support helps create powerful performances and exhibitions, educate young people, and engage communities, while providing arts and culture organizations the flexibility to innovate and experiment. Lyric is very grateful for the ongoing support of the MacArthur Foundation. Robert H. Malott MALOTT FAMILY FOUNDATION Robert H. Malott, Retired Chairman and CEO of FMC Corporation, was a fervent fan of opera and music, and Lyric was delighted to call him a longtime friend, staunch leader, and generous supporter. The Malott Room was named in his family’s honor in recognition of their gift to the Building on Greatness Capital Campaign, and in recognition of the Malott Family’s commitment to the Breaking New Ground Campaign, Box 18 is named in perpetuity in honor of Robert H. Malott for his extraordinary generosity and steadfast dedication to Lyric Opera. He also played a leadership role as a Life Director of Lyric’s Board of Directors.