Lyric Opera 2018-2019 Issue 7 La Boheme #2

P R O F I L E S | L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O 24 | January 10 - 31, 2019 at the University of Memphis and symphonic concerts with the Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana (Italy). In addition, he has conducted and collaborated with symphonic and operatic institutions such as Boise Philharmonic Orchestra, National Repertory Orchestra (Colorado), Orchestra Sinfonica di Sanremo (Italy), Den Jyske Opera (Denmark), Opéra National de Lorraine (France), Opera Maine, Atlanta Opera and Sarasota Opera. Sarzani is recipient of Career Assistance Awards (2016, 2018) of the Solti Foundation U.S., which also selected him for the Elizabeth Buccheri Opera Residency Programs at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Michigan Opera Theater. He is a graduate of Indiana University and Conservatorio G. Rossini (Pesaro), having also studied at the Monteux School, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Accademia Musicale Chigiana (Siena), and Accademia Musicale Pescarese (Pescara). RICHARD JONES (Director) Previously at Lyric: La bohème (Oct. 2018 performances); Hansel and Gretel (2012/13, 2001/02); Jenůfa (2000/01). The British director debuted at London’s Royal Opera House directing an award-winning 1994 production of the Ring cycle. He has returned for eight productions, among them Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Anna Nicole (world premiere), and most recently La bohème (2017/18). Other productions have included Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, La fanciulla del West, Wozzeck, and Hansel and Gretel (Welsh National Opera and The Met); Don Giovanni, Rodelinda, Cavalleria rusticana, Pagliacci, Lulu, The Trojans, and Julietta (English National Opera); Falstaff, Macbeth, and Flight (Glyndebourne); Pelléas et Mélisande and Lohengrin (Bavarian State Opera); Billy Budd (Frankfurt Opera and Netherlands Opera); Peter Grimes (La Scala); and La bohème (Bregenz Festival). Jones’s work in theater includes The Hairy Ape (Old Vic and New York – nominated for 6 Drama Desk Awards); The Trial, Public Enemy, The Government Inspector, Annie Get Your Gun , and The Good Soul of Szechuan (all for the Young Vic); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company); Tales from the Vienna Woods (National Theatre); and Into the Woods (West End). He has directed on Broadway three times and is a Tony nominee. Jones is the winner of five Olivier Awards and was appointed a CBE in 2015. STEWART LAING (Set and Costume Designer) Previously at Lyric: La bohème (Oct. 2018 performances). The British designer/ director has worked extensively internationally for major theaters. His work has been seen at the Royal Opera ( La bohème ), La Scala, English National Opera, Scottish Opera, and Opera North, as well as London’s West End, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and Royal Court Theatre, among many other companies. In the U.S. he has designed for the New York Shakespeare Festival, The Builders Association and for theaters in New Haven, San Francisco and Los Angeles. His work has also been seen on Broadway (he earned a Tony Award for Titanic in 1997). He recently designed The Hairy Ape for the Old Vic and the Park Avenue Armory in New York. Laing is associate director with National Theatre of Scotland and is artistic director of his own company, Untitled Projects, which he formed in 1998. He has directed for many theaters in the U. K., including The Citizens Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, and Royal Court. He also directs opera, including work for Garsington Opera, Scottish Opera, Grange Park Opera, Norrlands Operan, and Malmö Opera. Stewart Laing is supported by the Richard P. and Susan Kiphart Costume Designer Endowed Chair. MIMI JORDAN SHERIN (Lighting Designer) Previously at Lyric: La bohème (Oct. 2018 performances); Tristan und Isolde (1999/00). The distinguished American lighting designer will return to Lyric later this season for the company premiere of Ariodante . Her Bohème designs were first seen last season at London’s Royal Opera House, where she has collaborated with director Richard Jones in six other productions. Her designs for Boris Godunov will be seen there later this season. Sherin’s other work with Jones includes Lohengrin and Les contes d’Hoffmann, The Midsummer Marriage (Bavarian State Opera), The Makropulos Case (Frankfurt Opera), Billy Budd , Ariodante (Netherlands Opera), Peter Grimes (La Scala, Milan), Flight, Falstaff, and Der Rosenkavalier (Glyndebourne), Rusalka (Royal Danish Opera), Rodelinda, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, La fanciulla del West, From Morning to Midnight, Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci, Don Giovanni (English National Opera), Anna Nicole Smith (Brooklyn Academy of Music), and many others. Sherin has worked extensively in theater, including Annie Get Your Gun, Public Enemy, The Government Inspector , and The Trial (Young Vic), The Hairy Ape (Old Vic and New York Armory), Jerusalem (Royal Court, West End and Broadway), The Glass Menageri e, Julius Caesar , and Our Country’s Good (all on Broadway), and 35 years of productions for America’s regional theaters. Awards include the American Theatre Wing Award, two Obies, an Eddy Award, a Tony nomination, and six Drama Desk nominations. Mimi Jordan Sherin is supported by the Mary-Louise and James S. Aagard Lighting Director Endowed Chair. MICHAEL BLACK (Chorus Master) Chorus master since 2013/14; interim chorus master, 2011/12. Chorus master from to 2001 to 2013 at Opera Australia in Sydney, Black prepared the OA chorus for more than 90 operas and many concert works. He has served in this capacity for such distinguished organizations as the Edinburgh International Festival, Opera Holland Park (London), and, in Australia, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (including Rachmaninoff’s The Bells , led by Vladimir Ashkenazy), the Philharmonia Choir, Motet Choir, and Cantillation chamber choir. Black has also worked with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Australia with Sir Andrew Davis. His recent activities include preparing the Damnation of Faust chorus, continuing his association with Grant Park Music Festival, where he has worked for two seasons. As one of Australia’s most prominent vocal accompanists, Black has regularly performed for broadcasts and recordings (he has been heard numerous times in Australian Broadcast Corporation programs). He has served as chorus master on four continents, and his work has been recorded and/or aired on ABC, BBC, PBS, and for many HD productions in movie theaters as well as on television. He has also been a lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, of which he is an alumnus. Black holds a master’s degree in musicology from the University of New South Wales. Michael Black is the Howard A. Stotler Chorus Master Endowed Chair . JOSEPHINE LEE (Children’s Chorus Master) Previously at Lyric: Ten operas since 2000/01, most recently La bohème (Oct. 2018 performances); Turandot (2017/18); Carmen (2016/17). The president and artistic director of Chicago Children’s Choir has revolutionized youth choral music through cutting-edge performances of diverse repertoire and innovative collaborations with world-class artists. Her vision and leadership have established CCC as one of the city’s premier cultural institutions, solidifying partnerships with Lyric, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Ravinia. Recent projects include a revival of the original musical Sita Ram at the Harris Theater with David Kersnar of Lookingglass Theatre and Natya Dance Theatre, as well as the development of a fully staged theatrical work with the Q Brothers. The Chicago native has led tours nationally and internationally to 20 countries since 1999. In 2015 she founded Vocality, a festival chorus comprising CCC alumni and young vocal artists from a wide array of communities within and surrounding