Lyric Opera 2023-2024 Issue 4 - Jenufa

Class in Session Teaching, says Enrique Mazzola, has “absolutely not been part of my career. I have always felt that there is a responsibility to transmit one’s experience of music. To pass it on. To me, music was not a subject to be taught but an enchanting realm to be explored. Teaching music seemed like something almost impossible.” But in the past few years, Lyric’s Music Director has, well, changed his tune. During his tenure as Artistic & Music Director of the Orchestre national d’Île-de-France from 2012 to 2019, he saw firsthand how engaging with young people contributed to building audience. And then last year, in his second full season at Lyric, Mazzola made his first visits to the Merit School of Music. A longtime partner organization with Lyric, Merit’s self-described mission is to “transform the lives of Chicago-area youth through removing barriers to high-quality music education.” Located in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, the school has been executing on that vision since its founding in 1979, especially for students from diverse backgrounds. One-on-one lessons are offered in all instruments, and many students participate in larger ensembles. The school’s commitment to nurturing young musicians aligns perfectly with the broader mission of Lyric Opera of Chicago as a cultural citizen and leader. Enrique Mazzola leads the way on a renewed relationship with the Merit School of Music. Enrique Mazzola on the Merit School podium at rehearsal last year. Jaclyn Simpson Photography