Lyric Opera 2019-2020 Issue 8 Madama Butterfly

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 and their multi-year commitment to Lyric's Ryan Opera Center. During the 2019|20 season, the Cheney Foundation is supporting the Director of Vocal Studies faculty position, the singer sponsor-ship 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. Their beloved daughter Mimi Mitchell, past President of Women's Board, is proud to carry on the family legacy as a newly appointed member of the Board Directors. THE CROWN FAMILY Two of Chicago’s leading philanthropists, Renée and Lester Crown, are devoted patrons of Lyric. 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. Mr. Crown joined Lyric’s Board of Directors in 1977 and serves as Chairman of the Executive Committee. 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 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 Lyric's musicals and has generously cosponsored the annual musical including this season’s 42 nd Street. STEFAN T. EDLIS AND GAEL NEESON Passionate patrons of the arts, Gael Neeson and the late Stefan Edlis are actively involved with organizations in Chicago, New York, and Aspen. Mr. Edlis and Ms. Neeson have supported and subscribed to Lyric for more than 30 years. They have cosponsored seven mainstage operas, including last season’s Siegfried and this season’s complete Ring cycle. Stefan and Gael also made a leadership gift to the Breaking New Ground Campaign. Lyric is honored to have Gael Neeson serve on its Board of Directors. ROBERT F. FINKE Robert Finke is a loyal subscriber, longtime donor to the Annual Campaign, Overture Society member, and a past president of the Guild Board. Lyric is extremely grateful to Bob for his leadership gift in memory of his opera partner Carol Keenan to support digital initiatives. “To insure that Lyric thrives, it must bring opera to audiences in new ways. Lyric must take advantage of this avenue to reach those who love opera or who will come to love it.” Lyric is thankful for his continued support and friendship. JULIUS FRANKEL FOUNDATION A founding patron of Lyric Theatre (now Lyric Opera of Chicago) and a Lyric Board member at the time of his death in 1982, Julius Frankel devoted his philanthropic giving to making Chicago a great place to live and enjoy life. The Julius Frankel Foundation has sustained this noble legacy under the guidance and longtime dedication of former trustees Nelson Cornelius and John Georgas and current trustee BMO Harris Bank, N.A. Lyric’s audiences have benefited greatly from the Foundation’s major grants for general operating support and production sponsorships. “Mr. Frankel was particularly interested in making Chicago one of the greatest places in the world to live and enjoy life,” Nelson Cornelius once said. “The foundation’s giving supports things that enhance the reputation of Chicago; which, of course, Lyric does.” Lyric has named Mezzanine Box 25 in honor of Julius Frankel in grateful recognition of the Foundation’s significant gift to the Breaking New Ground Campaign. Last season, the Julius Frankel Foundation was a generous cosponsor of Lyric's new coproduction of La bohème. Lester and Renée Crown Elizabeth F. Cheney Julius Frankel Lyric Opera of Chicago | 49