Carmen

L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O

February 11 - March 25, 2017

THE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION

Lyric is deeply grateful forThe AndrewW.Mellon Foundation’s long and tremendous

history of support. Through a multi-year commitment to Lyric’s American Horizons

initiative in 2000, the Mellon Foundation encouraged presentation of American

operas and expansion of the operatic repertory by providing major support for

Lyric Opera premieres; the centerpiece of the initiative was Lyric’s mainstage world

premiere of Bolcom’s

A Wedding

. The Mellon Foundation provided essential

matching funds which enabled Lyric to resume radio broadcasts in 2006. During

the 2012/13 season, the Mellon Foundation provided leadership funding to

launch Lyric’s visionary new Lyric Unlimited programming, which included the

Chicago premiere of

Cruzar la Cara de la Luna

, the world’s first Mariachi opera.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation continued its generous partnership with Lyric

Unlimited by providing outstanding support for Lyric’s world premiere mariachi

opera

El Pasado Nunca Se Termina

, and continued its unparalleled legacy by

cosponsoring last season’s world premiere of mainstage production

Bel Canto

. Most

recently, the Mellon Foundation has provided generous

leadership funding for Lyric’s Chicago Voices initiative,

playing a vital role in bringing together Chicago’s diverse

communities and vocal traditions in celebration of the

human voice.

THE MONUMENT TRUST (UK)

Lyric is grateful for the generosity of The Monument Trust and its Chairman

of trustees Stewart Grimshaw, who initiated their support for the cosponsorship

Rusalka

in 2013/14 and cosponsored

Anna Bolena

(2014/15) and

Wozzeck

(2015/16). The Monument Trust is a

passionate supporter of the arts in the

U.K. and U.S. and cosponsors

The Magic

Flute

this season.

MR. and MRS. ROBERT S. MORRISON

Susan and Bob Morrison are devoted members of the

Lyric Opera family. Both are loyal subscribers and

patrons who take an active role in nurturing Lyric’s

success. Susan Morrison is a leading member of

the Women’s Board. Lyric is fortunate to have Bob

Morrison serve as a member of its Board of Directors.

The Morrisons have generously supported the Opera

Ball and Wine Auction as well as the Annual Campaign

for many years. They provided a substantial gift to the

Campaign for Excellence and Breaking New Ground

Campaign, and have cosponsored each installment of Lyric’s American Music

Theatre Initiative, including

My Fair Lady

this season.

Elizabeth Morse Genius

THE ELIZABETH MORSE CHARITABLE TRUST

Lyric sincerely appreciates the tremendous ongoing support of

The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, as well as the invaluable

leadership of the Trust’s Co-Trustees JPMorgan Chase Bank,

N.A. and James L. Alexander. One of two trusts established in

memory of Elizabeth Morse Genius, daughter of 19th-century

industrialist Charles Hosmer Morse, The Elizabeth Morse

Charitable Trust supports non-profit organizations that reflect

the values of thrift, humility, industry, self-sufficiency, and self-

sacrifice, such as Lyric Opera, where the Trust will support this season’s company

premiere of

Les Troyens

. After providing cosponsorship support of

The Cunning

Little Vixen

(2004/05) in honor of Lyric’s Golden Jubilee, The Elizabeth Morse

Charitable Trust raised challenge grant support for

Orfeo ed Euridice

(2005/06),

and continued on to cosponsor many more productions, along with its sister trust,

the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust. From 2000-2008, the Morse Trust

provided leadership support of the Stars of Lyric Opera concerts at Grant Park and

Millennium Park.

ALLAN and ELAINE MUCHIN

Allan and Elaine Muchin are longtime, valued members

of the Lyric Opera family. Allan served as President

and CEO of the company from 2001 to 2006, and

is currently Co-Chairman Emeritus of the Board of

Directors and serves on the Executive Commitee.

The Muchins have staunchly supported the Annual

Campaign, Fantasy of the Opera, Operathon, and the

Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park concert, and have committed leadership

gifts to the Building on Greatness Capital Campaign, the Campaign for Excellence,

and the Breaking New Ground Campaign. Lyric is extremely grateful for Allan and

Elaine Muchin’s munificent friendship.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT for the ARTS

Serving the public good by fostering creativity and artistic excellence in America,

grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) have played

a leading role in the advancement of Lyric’s programming and expansion of

the operatic repertoire. Through production and program funding as well as a

major challenge grant, awards from the NEA have nurtured Lyric’s world-class

artistic achievements. The Endowment has funded important artistic initiatives

at Lyric such as American Horizons, Great American Voices, and Toward the

21 st Century. The NEA has provided vital support for numerous Lyric Opera

premieres, new productions, and revivals, most recently

A Streetcar Named Desire

(2012/13),

Rusalka

(2013/14),

Porgy and

Bess

(2014/15), and

Bel Canto

(2015/16).

This season, the National Endowment for

the Arts is supporting Lyric’s company

premiere of

Les Troyens

THE NEGAUNEE FOUNDATION

The founder of The Negaunee Foundation has great affection for music, the

performing arts, and Mozart. These interests, combined with a strong admiration

of Lyric Opera, have been instrumental in bringing operas to Lyric’s mainstage.

The Negaunee Foundation has cosponsored many productions, most recently

Don

Giovanni

and

Carousel

(both 2014/15),

The Marriage of Figaro

and

The King and I

(both 2015/16), and cosponsors Lyric’s productions of

The Magic Flute

and

My Fair

Lady

this season. The Negaunee Foundation has also made a generous gift to the

Breaking New Ground Campaign. Lyric is very fortunate to be among the Chicago

cultural institutions benefitting from The Negaunee Foundation’s leadership and

financial commitment. Lyric is honored to have The Negaunee Foundation’s

president serve as a member of its Board of Directors and Audit Committee.

SYLVIA NEIL and DANIEL FISCHEL

Sylvia and Dan have been loyal Lyric Opera subscribers

and donors for many years. They sponsored the

Symposiums for Lyric productions of

Hercules

(2010/11)

and

Show Boat

(2011/12), and have cosponsored several

mainstage opera productions, including this season’s

production of

Lucia di Lammermoor

. They made a

generous gift to the Breaking New Ground Campaign

to help secure Lyric’s future. Sylvia is Lecturer in Law, University of Chicago Law

School. She is founder and chair of the Project on Gender, Culture, Religion and

Law at Brandeis and is co-editor of its book series (Brandeis University Press). Dan

is President, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Compass Lexecon consulting firm.

He is the Lee and Brena Freeman Professor of Law and Business Emeritus at the

University of Chicago Law School. Lyric is honored to have Sylvia Neil serve on

its Board of Directors, Production Sponsorship, and Lyric Unlimited Committees.

Jerry and Elaine Nerenberg

THE NERENBERG FOUNDATION

During their lifetimes, Jerry and Elaine Nerenberg

were passionate supporters of Lyric Opera and

subscribed for more than 30 years. They were

especially supportive of The Patrick G. and Shirley

W. Ryan Opera Center and loved to watch these

young artists perform and grow at Lyric Opera.

Jerry Nerenberg and his wife Elaine passed away

in 2005 and 2007, respectively. In their wills,

they established The Jerome and Elaine Nerenberg Foundation, which was funded

to make generous annual grants to Lyric Opera for many years to come. Lyric is

very appreciative of the Nerenbergs’ thoughtfulness and generosity in creating this

planned gift.