Lyric Opera 2021-2022 Issue 1 Macbeth

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 8 Dear Lyric Family, We come together for the rst live performances at Lyric in more than 18 months, for the inaugural performances of our newMusic Director Enrique Mazzola, and for a new production of Verdi’s Macbeth created by Sir David McVicar, John Macfarlane, Moritz Junge, and David Finn. There are so many reasons to celebrate! We are thrilled to have you here with us in our beautiful, newly renovated theater, and to reclaim the exhilaration and emotion that only live opera can deliver. The past year has brought us challenges that we never could have foreseen, as the tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic changed all of our lives. Yet even through this dif cult time, there were silver linings to be found. Chief among themwas the moving generosity of our patrons and community members. From heartfelt check-ins and expressions of concern for our company members to donating the value of canceled performance tickets and providing crucial nancial support, the dedication of our audience has allowed us to emerge from this period well-positioned to move forward. It has never been more clear that Lyric is a family, and we are so grateful to have you with us. Lyric spent the last year hard at work. We brought you concerts and productions fueled by innovation, creativity, and exibility. We tookWagner live to a parking garage and transported Pagliacci to the 1950s via lm. Unique online programs showcased the incredible talents of our incomparable Orchestra, Chorus, and Ryan Opera Center artists. We rededicated ourselves to the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA), which we carry forward in our daily work. All of this was done while working to stay in the hearts and minds of our audience and our public: the reason for all that we do. It is undeniable that Lyric, like all arts organizations, has a recovery period ahead. But we greet the challenges we face with renewed energy, spirit, and commitment, and will take the very best of what was learned during this past year and put it into practice with passion and joy. We welcome you home to the Lyric Opera House, and can’t wait to share the new season together. We hope that you enjoy this thrilling new Macbeth . We’ve missed live music—and we’ve missed you! It’s wonderful to be together again. Opera Forever! Lyric Forever! From the Chair and General Director SYLVIA NEIL Chair ANTHONY FREUD President, General Director & CEO The Women’s Board Endowed Chair Todd Rosenberg Todd Rosenberg