Lyric Opera 2018-2019 Issue 7 La Boheme #2

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 January 10 - 31, 2019 | 45 Carol and William Vance MRS. HERBERT A. VANCE and MR. and MRS. WILLIAM C. VANCE Lyric Opera appreciates the extraordinary generosity and leadership of the Vance Family. The Vances have generously sponsored/cosponsored several Lyric premieres and new productions, including this season's West Side Story . For many years, the Vances have supported emerging singers through their sponsorship of Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members. In addition, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Vance contributed to the Breaking New Ground Campaign, and are generous sponsors of the Renée Fleming Initiative. Mr. Vance is Vice President and an esteemed member of Lyric’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He also serves as a life member of the Ryan Opera Center Board, of which he is a past President. Bill Vance was awarded the 2016 Carol Fox Award, Lyric’s most prestigious honor, in recognition of his leadership, steadfast support, and many years of devoted service to Lyric Opera. Donna Van Eekeren DONNA VAN EEKEREN FOUNDATION Donna Van Eekeren is a devoted opera fan, Lyric subscriber, and generous supporter of the Ryan Opera Center. She enjoys encouraging talented young artists as Lead Sponsor of Rising Stars in Concert and Exclusive Sponsor of its radio rebroadcast on 98.7WFMT. Reflecting her passion for introducing young people to opera, the Donna Van Eekeren Foundation has supported Lyric’s Performances for Students, NEXT discount tickets for college students, and Opera in the Neighborhoods. The Donna Van Eekeren Foundation has cosponsored several mainstage productions including Lyric’s premiere of Les Troyens (2016/17), last season’s production of I Puritani , and this season's La traviata . Donna also made a leadership gift to the Breaking New Ground Campaign to help secure Lyric’s future. Executive Chairman of Land O’Frost, Donna Van Eekeren is a valued member of Lyric’s Board of Directors, serving as Secretary of the Board, on the Executive and Finance Committees, and on the Ryan Opera Center Board. THE WALLACE FOUNDATION The Wallace Foundation is a national philanthropy that seeks to improve learning and enrichment for disadvantaged children and foster the vitality of the arts for everyone. Wallace has an unusual approach: funding projects to test innovative ideas for solving important social problems, conducting research to find out what works and what doesn’t and to fill key knowledge gaps – and then communicating the results to help others. Lyric is the recipient of a multi-phase grant as part of the Foundation’s Building Audiences for Sustainability initiative; the grant is funding research and analysis of Lyric audiences, and will reveal ways in which Lyric can maximize its reach in the community. Lyric’s work will inform lessons that will be shared with the broader field. ROBERTA L. and ROBERT J. WASHLOW Roberta and Bob Washlow are cherished members of the Lyric family. For more than four decades, they have enjoyed attending Lyric performances and special events, and have generously supported the Annual Campaign. Since 1986, the Port, Washlow, and Errant Families together sponsored more than 20 Lyric productions. The Washlows made a generous commitment to the Breaking New Ground Campaign to support Lyric Unlimited activities. Roberta and Bob have annually remained valued members of the production sponsorship family, and generously cosponsor this season’s production of La bohème , their eleventh opera cosponsorship, continuing a beloved family tradition. Lyric is honored to have Roberta Washlow as an esteemed member of its Board of Directors and Lyric Unlimited Committee. “Opera has always touched me,” Roberta once said. “I love the drama, passion, music, and excitement of a live performance at Lyric. Nothing can replace it, and I hope this beautiful art form will continue for generations.” HELEN and SAM ZELL Helen and Sam Zell are passionate supporters of Chicago’s vibrant cultural scene. They are longtime subscribers to Lyric Opera and have contributed to the Annual Campaign for many years. Helen and Sam have cosponsored several new productions, most recently all four installments of Lyric’s new Ring cycle, including this season's Siegfried and next season's Götterdämmerung . Champagne Bar Sunday Afternoon Tea Florian Opera Bistro Sarah and Peer Pedersen Room The William B. and Catherine Graham Room DRINK AND DINE AT LYRIC Make your outing even more delicious with some of Lyric’s on-site dining and refreshment options. For more information, visit lyricopera.org/dining .