Lyric Opera 2022-2023 Issue 8 - Carmen

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 2 6 WELCOME TO YOUR LYRIC 8 A letter from the Chair and the General Director 10 Board of Directors 12 A candid conversation with Lyric’s Board Chair on innovating during the pandemic— and opera’s bright future. In this issue Sylvia Neil,Chair of Lyric’s Board of Directors | pp.12-14 J’Nai Bridges returns to Lyric in the leading role of Carmen. | pp. 16-35 Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Todd Rosenberg 16 TONIGHT’S PERFORMANCE 19 Title page and cast 20 Synopsis 23 Carmen’s freedom: The character continues to intrigue us because she de es easy categorization. 27 Artist pro les 34 Orchestra and Chorus 36 BEYOND THE STAGE 38 A real world success story: One of Lyric Unlimited’s partner teachers just received his second Grammy nomination. 40 RYAN OPERA CENTER 42 Ryan Opera Center alumni around the world 42 Program staff 44 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT 46 Bravissimi 48 Production sponsors 51 Supporting our future— endowments at Lyric 52 Ardis Krainik Society 56 Corporate partnerships 58 Annual individual and foundation support 68 Commemorative gifts 69 Artistic roster 70 Lyric staff 72 People of Lyric: Meet Lyric’s new Vice President, People & Culture