Lyric Opera 2021-2022 Issue 3 The Magic Flute

The Lyric Opera House has stood as a home of profound operatic artistry since 1929, and every house needs a few renovations every so often. Some of the most essential recent upgrades to the building have been in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Lyric also used the past eighteen months to embark on and complete projects to refurbish front-facing areas and locations not visible to the public. Megan St. John, Lyric’s director of facility operations, recognized the opportunity to make these changes during the pandemic. “Our hope is that we never disrupt productions. Our work needs to be done silently and behind the scenes to ensure safety for patrons and staff.” To create the safest and healthiest guest experience, Lyric added touchless fixtures, including faucets, toilets, and paper towel dispensers, in every patron restroom as well as those backstage and in the administrative offices. Thirty additional hand sanitizer stations also were installed for patrons and artists around the building. The opera house also underwent an HVAC upgrade with the installation of new air filters to decrease recycled air and increase fresh air exchange. These filters’ grades now exceed CDC recommendations. “With Chicago’s hot summers and cold winters, it can be difficult to bring ventilated fresh air indoors, but our goal is to make certain that at all times, at least 25 percent of the building’s air is coming from outdoors. During the fall and spring seasons, that percentage rises to almost 100,” shared St. John. Lyric’s new ventilation systems also are continuously cleaned and fogged to keep them in top shape. Lyric’s incredible night-cleaning crew updated its practices to use hospital-grade cleaning materials that are safe for the gorgeous wood, side panels, and fabric of Lyric’s brand-new seats. Staff utilize sanitizing backpacks to clean the seats after every show, as well as the carpet and all frequently used surfaces. “If you survive long enough, you’re revered— rather like an old building.” –Katharine Hepburn Lyric Opera of Chicago | 13