Lyric Opera 2024-2025 Issue 1 - Rigoletto

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 8 Welcome, everyone! A new season at Lyric Opera of Chicago is always a cause for celebration. Artists from around the world arrive at our house and begin the long work of putting productions together. The pit hums with surging strings, backstage rings with voices in rehearsal—and onstage, hammers bang and lights glow once again. It’s a breathtaking time, and this Rigoletto is the first work in an exceptionally strong season which will bring to life some of the greatest works in the repertoire, as well as deliver the Lyric premieres of two exciting 21st century works that have already received great critical acclaim. This season brings with it, too, a special, extra jolt of energy. As you likely know, we are proud to announce the appointment of John Mangum as Lyric’s fifth General Director, President & CEO. Renowned as an innovative visionary and collaborator with significant artistic and executive leadership roles at some of the country’s foremost performing arts organizations, John comes to us from Houston Symphony where he served as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. He led the organization through hurricanes, the pandemic, and change with notable safety, growth, and artistic achievement, all while creating and implementing meaningful community and educational programming. John already has had a series of productive and exciting conversations with Music Director Enrique Mazzola as they prepare to lead our world-class company into the future. He will begin full-time in October and I hope you will join me in offering him a warm welcome. And now we have this thrilling production of Rigoletto . Our Maestro, beginning his fourth full season at Lyric, takes the podium for another masterpiece from Verdi, a composer at the core of his repertoire. Renowned New York-based director Mary Birnbaummakes her Lyric debut–and she’s not the only one. The superb Armenian soprano Mane Galoyan debuts here as Gilda, a role she has sung with success, and joining us for the first time also is the dazzling Mexican tenor Javier Camarena, bringing his bravura voice to the feckless Duke. Taking the title role is the formidable Igor Golovatenko, among the most lauded baritones in the opera world today. On behalf of the entire Lyric family, let me say how delighted we are to welcome you once again to the Lyric Opera House. None of the splendid work we do, onstage and off, could happen without your ongoing support. We thank you! A message from the Chair SYLVIA NEIL Chair Todd Rosenberg