Lyric Opera 2023-2024 Issue 4 - Jenufa

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 8 Dear Lyric Community, The Ken Pigott Stage at Lyric Opera of Chicago is, of course, no stranger to great masterpieces and legendary artists. Janáˇcek was one of the greatest of operatic composers and reintroducing one of his extraordinary works to Lyric’s repertoire is long overdue. Jen ˚ufa is a towering masterpiece from the first part of the 20th century. It is truly unforgettable: profoundly moving, as well as being both exhilarating and thought-provoking. As scholar and philosopher Martha Nussbaum notes in her insightful program essay, it is a work whose theological and ethical considerations resonate strongly in our own day. Our artistic lineup for Jen ˚ufa couldn’t be more exciting: With the Lyric debuts of Lise Davidsen, Pavel ˇCernoch, Richard Trey Smagur, and Marianne Cornetti, as well as the debuts of our conductor Jakub Hr ˚uša and director Claus Guth, and the return to Lyric of Nina Stemme, our Jen ˚ufa performances are sure to have a searing intensity that will do justice to Janáˇcek’s overwhelming music drama. Lyric’s ability to bring you thrilling and varied opera seasons of world-class quality is entirely dependent on your passion, generosity, and support. Thank you, as always, for being our partners in bringing these masterpieces to visceral, vibrant life. As always, From the Chair and the General Director SYLVIA NEIL Chair ANTHONY FREUD OBE President, General Director & CEO The Women’s Board Endowed Chair Todd Rosenberg Todd Rosenberg