Carmen

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L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O
46 | February 11 - March 25, 2017
MR. & MRS. DIETRICH M. GROSS
Lyric deeply appreciates the enduring friendship and
tremendous generosity of Dietrich and Erika Gross.
Together, they have sponsored/cosponsored a total of 22
Lyric productions since 1987/88, including last season’s
Der Rosenkavalier and this season’s Das Rheingold.
Through yearly challenge grants, they also help generate
important momentum for Operathon, Lyric’s annual
fundraising broadcast heard live on 98.7WFMT. They made a leadership gift to the
Breaking New Ground Campaign in support of Lyric’s future. Dietrich Gross is an
esteemed member of Lyric’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. In 2009,
Lyric recognized the dedicated leadership and vital involvement of Dietrich Gross by
awarding him the Carol Fox Award, Lyric’s most prestigious honor.
John R. Halligan
JOHN R. HALLIGAN CHARITABLE FUND
John R. Halligan was a devoted subscriber and patron of Lyric
for many years until his death in 2001. With support from his
Charitable Fund under the direction of the Fund’s President,
Norman J. Gantz, Mr. Halligan’s philanthropic legacy continues
through very generous annual contributions to Lyric. The
Halligan Fund is proud to support numerous artistic, cultural,
and civic organizations which enhance our lifestyles, preserve our
sense of history and heritage, instill knowledge, and advance our
appreciation of nature. The fund focuses its attention on organizations based in the
Chicago and Honolulu metropolitan areas, being the communities in which Mr.
Halligan resided during his lifetime.
Joe and Pam Szokol and King and Caryn Harris
THE HARRIS FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Harris Family Foundation, represented
by Pam and Joe Szokol and King and
Caryn Harris, is a valued member of Lyric’s
production sponsorship family, most recently
cosponsoring Tosca (2014/15), Nabucco
(2015/16), and this season’s Carmen. The
Harris Family Foundation also supports the
Annual Campaign, and made a generous
commitment to the Breaking New Ground Campaign to help secure Lyric’s future.
Lyric is thrilled to have Vice President of the Foundation Pam Szokol as a member
of its Board of Directors and serving on its Production Sponsorship Committee.
Lyric is also grateful for the dedicated involvement of Caryn Harris. Caryn is
an active member of the revered Women’s Board and has held many leadership
positions, most recently as Opera Ball Chair in 2012, and last season as Co-Chair
of Opening Night/Opera Ball.
Alyce H. DeCosta
WALTER E. HELLER FOUNDATION
Alyce H. DeCosta was a dedicated philanthropist who loved
Chicago and helped nurture cultural life in the city through
her generous support for the arts and higher education. Mrs.
DeCosta was a leading member of the Lyric family, having served
as a National Director of Lyric’s Board. For many years, she was
president of the Walter E. Heller Foundation, a philanthropic
foundation named after her late husband, the founder and
past Chairman of Walter E. Heller Co. The Walter E. Heller
Foundation has generously funded many Lyric productions, most recently Madama
Butterfly (2013/14). The Walter E. Heller Foundation cosponsored Lyric’s world
premiere of Bel Canto, and is proudly underwriting its appearance on PBS Great
Performances. This season, the Foundation cosponsors Don Quichotte.
J. THOMAS HURVIS
Tom Hurvis is an avid opera fan and longtime Lyric subscriber.
As part of the Breaking New Ground Campaign, Tom and his
beloved late wife Julie made a generous leadership commitment in
support of Lyric Unlimited, comprising the company’s education
and community engagement activities. In an effort to help keep
Chicago a haven for the cultural arts, Tom Hurvis sponsors the
Renée Fleming Initiative, and Ms. Fleming’s role as a creative
consultant. Tom has also made a generous leadership gift in support of Lyric’s
Chicago Voices initiative during the 2016/17 season. Lyric gratefully acknowledges
the Hurvis family’s more than 20 years of contributions to the Annual Campaign,
including support for The Lyric Opera Broadcasts. The Hurvises previously
sponsored four mainstage productions, including last season’s The Merry Widow
starring Renée Fleming. This season, Tom Hurvis is providing leadership support
for many aspects of the Chicago Voices initiative. Lyric is honored to have
Tom Hurvis serve on its Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Innovation
Committee, and Lyric Unlimited Committee.
Scott Santi
ITW
Lyric Opera deeply appreciates the long tradition of sustaining
support from Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). The company
has made vital contributions to the Annual Campaign, the
Breaking New Ground Campaign, the Building on Greatness
Capital Campaign, the Great Opera Fund, 60th Anniversary
Concert and Diamond Ball, and Wine Auction, and since 2002,
it has cosponsored the Opera Ball, one of Lyric’s most important
traditions. ITW has cosponsored The Pearl Fishers (1997/98 and
2008/09), The Barber of Seville (2000/01), The Elixir of Love (2009/10), Hansel and
Gretel (2012/13), and Tosca (2014/15), and generously cosponsors this season’s
production of Carmen and the Chicago Voices Gala Benefit Concert. Lyric is proud
to have Chairman and CEO Scott Santi on its Board of Directors and Executive
Committee, along with past ITW Chairmen and CEOs
W. James Farrell, John Nichols, and the late David Speer.
EDGAR D. JANNOTTA
Lyric is extremely grateful for the longstanding of support from
Ned Jannotta and his beloved late wife Debby. A lifelong opera
lover, Ned has been an integral part of the Lyric Opera family,
joining the Board of Directors in 1987, serving as President and
CEO of Lyric Opera from 1996 to 2000, and is currently serving
as Co-Chairman Emeritus. Lyric is honored to have received
leadership gifts from the Jannottas for the Building on Greatness
Capital Campaign, the Campaign for Excellence, and the Breaking New Ground
Campaign to create the Ryan Opera Center Music Director Endowed Chair, in
addition to their generous gifts to the Annual Campaign.
Craig C. Martin
JENNER & BLOCK
Founded in 1914, Jenner & Block is a leading law firm with
global impact and substantial experience in a broad range of legal
issues. The firm has long played a prominent role in Chicago’s
legal and business communities, and is consistently ranked as
one of the top firms in the country. Jenner & Block has provided
significant pro bono legal expertise to Lyric, along with generous
contributions to the Breaking New Ground Campaign, the
Annual Campaign, the Campaign for Excellence, Fantasy of the
Opera, Opera Ball, the Spring Musical Celebration, and Wine Auction. Lyric is
fortunate to have Craig C. Martin, Partner and Chair of Jenner & Block’s Litigation
Department, as a valued member of its
Board of Directors, Nominating, and
Executive Committees.
JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
Lyric gratefully acknowledges the vital corporate leadership and support of JPMorgan
Chase & Co. Along with the bank’s predecessors The First National Bank of
Chicago and Bank One, JPMorgan Chase has generously contributed to the Annual
Campaign, the Building on Greatness Capital Campaign, Lyric Unlimited, Facilities
Fund, the Great Opera Fund, and Wine Auction. The bank has also cosponsored
many mainstage productions, including last season’s
new production of The Marriage of Figaro .