Lyric Opera 2024-2025 Issue 7 - La bohème

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 2 6 WELCOME TO YOUR LYRIC 8 Greetings from the Chair and the General Director, President & CEO 10 Board of Directors 12 The Lyric Young Professionals group continues to grow and support the company — and they have a lot of fun along the way. 16 TODAY’S PERFORMANCE 19 Title page and cast 20 Synopsis 23 Director’s note 24 A selection of paintings from the Art Institute of Chicago illuminates the hidden backstories of the tragic heroines in La Bohème . 29 Artist profiles 34 Orchestra and Chorus In this issue La Bohème | pp. 16-35 Ken Howard - LA Opera 36 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT 38 Bravissimi 40 Production sponsors 42 Supporting our future— endowments at Lyric 44 Ardis Krainik Society 48 Corporate partnerships 50 Aria Society 54 Annual individual and foundation support 60 Commemorative gifts 61 Artistic roster 62 Lyric staff 64 RYAN OPERA CENTER 66 Revisiting the pivotal fourth decade of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, now celebrating its 50th year. 68 LYRIC UNLIMITED 70 Hitch Elementary, a Chicago Public School on the northside, demonstrates the powerful ongoing impact of Lyric’s artist residencies. 72 People of Lyric: The stage director in the Ryan Opera Center Ensemble makes important contributions — and she isn’t opposed to a little silliness.