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L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O
November 1 - 30, 2017
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THE ANNE and BURT KAPLAN FUND
The Kaplan Fund is a longstanding supporter of numerous arts organizations
throughout Chicago, fostering a vibrant visual and performing arts environment. They
are joining the Lyric production sponsorship family this season with their generous
sponsorship of
Orphée et Eurydice
, Lyric’s historic collaboration with The Joffrey Ballet.
PATRICIA A. KENNEY and GREGORY J. O'LEARY
Pat Kenney and Greg O'Leary are longtime subscribers
and generous donors to Lyric, with a particular passion
for supporting the emerging artists of The Patrick
G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center. They have
generously cosponsored the season-culminating Rising
Stars in Concert for six consecutive years, and Greg
was recently elected to the Ryan Opera Center Board
and serves on its Fundraising Committee. Pat and Greg join the Aria Society this year
with their generous Mainstage Singer Sponsorship of celebrated Ryan Opera Center
alumnus Matthew Polenzani in his appearances in this season's production of
The Pearl
Fishers
. Lyric is grateful for their longstanding friendship. "We are thrilled to help Lyric
Opera and the Ryan Opera Center with their mission of providing world class opera
and training for singers, respectively. Every time we think they hit the high plateau, they
ascend to another."
THE RICHARD P. and SUSAN KIPHART FAMILY
Susie Kiphart is an esteemed member of the Lyric Opera
family. She is immediate past President of the Ryan Opera
Center Board, Chair of the Ryan Opera Center Nominating
Committee, and serves on the Lyric Unlimited Committee.
Along with her beloved late husband Dick Kiphart, Susie
is a passionate philanthropist. They have made leadership
contributions to the Campaign for Excellence, of which
Dick served as chairman, and the Breaking New Ground Campaign. They also continue
to provide major support for Lyric’s radio programming as members of the broadcast
consortium, sponsorship of Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members, and are generous
sponsors of the Renée Fleming Initiative. Lyric will forever be grateful for the visionary
leadership of the late Dick Kiphart. He was a past President and CEO as well as
Chairman of Lyric’s Board of Directors, Chairman of the Nominating/Governance
Committee, and a member of the Executive, Finance and Production Sponsorship
Committees. The Kipharts’ enthusiasm for opera and heartfelt commitment to Lyric
are tremendous assets to the company, and in recognition of their passion and immense
dedication they received the Carol Fox Award, Lyric’s highest honor, in 2013.
Linda K. Myers
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP has a more than 100-year history of providing
exceptional service to clients in Chicago and around the world
in complex litigation, corporate and tax, intellectual property,
restructuring, and counseling matters. The firm is committed to
enhancing quality of life through educational opportunities, cultural
awareness, youth programs, and community outreach. Kirkland &
Ellis LLP has cosponsored several operas, most recently
The Merry
Widow
(2015/16), and was Lead Corporate Sponsor of the
Chicago Voices
Gala Benefit
last season. Lyric Opera is fortunate to have Linda K. Myers, a Partner at Kirkland &
Ellis LLP, as a member of its Board
of Directors, Executive and Production
Sponsorship Committees.
NANCY W. KNOWLES
Opera always played an important role in the life of the late Nancy
W. Knowles. Her love for the art form was nurtured by her family’s
musical traditions. “My father had hundreds and hundreds of
records to play,” she fondly recalled, “so classical music was always
in my home.” Nancy Knowles generously invested her time, talents,
and leadership abilities to advance Lyric as a member of the Board
of Directors and Executive Committee, and formerly as a Guild Board member. In
recognition of her extraordinary gift to the Campaign for Excellence, Lyric named the
Nancy W. Knowles Lobby in 2007. Ms. Knowles once again made a significant gift in
support of the Breaking New Ground Campaign to support the Nancy W. Knowles
Student and Family Performances fund. Ms. Knowles generously underwrote the
appearance of Lyric’s world premiere
Bel Canto
on PBS Great Performances on January
13, 2017, and had previously cosponsored several mainstage operas. In recognition of her
outstanding generosity and enthusiasm, she received the Carol Fox Award, Lyric’s highest
honor, in 2014. Lyric will forever be grateful for Nancy's extraordinary generosity.
NANCY and SANFRED KOLTUN
Close members of the Lyric family as longtime subscribers
and generous supporters, Nancy and Sanfred were
Ryan Opera Center Singer Cosponsors for many years
and cosponsored the Lyric Unlimited family opera
The
Magic Victrola
. This season, they join the production
sponsorship family with their generous support of
Così fan
tutte
. "In the fall of 1954, I attended
Carmen
, staged by the precursor of the Lyric. That
night I fell in love with
Carmen
, opera, and my date. We were married shortly thereafter.
Nancy and I have loved Lyric Opera and have always supported one of the most
cherished cultural institutions of Chicago. It is our hope that our children, grandchildren
and those beyond will be able to attend the Lyric and appreciate what a gem is in their
midst."
MR. and MRS. FRED A. KREHBIEL
Kay and Fred Krehbiel are longstanding dedicated
members of the Lyric Opera family. Lyric gratefully
acknowledges their generous contributions to Wine
Auction, the Annual Campaign, and the Breaking New
Ground Campaign. Kay Krehbiel is a leading and
cherished member of Lyric’s Women’s Board, and Fred
Krehbiel is a National Director of Lyric’s Board of Directors.
JOSEF and MARGOT LAKONISHOK
Devoted members of the Lyric family, Josef and Margot
Lakonishok have subscribed to Lyric for many seasons.
They have contributed to the Annual Campaign, and
made a significant gift to the Breaking New Ground
Campaign. They have also cosponsored several mainstage
productions, including last year’s
Eugene Onegin
and
this season’s
Orphée et Eurydice
. The CEO of LSV Asset
Management, Josef Lakonishok is a dedicated member of Lyric’s Board of Directors,
serving on the Executive, Finance, and Investment Committees.
JOHN D. and CATHERINE T. MacARTHUR FOUNDATION
TheJohnD.andCatherineT.MacArthurFoundationsupportscreativepeople,effective
institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful
world. MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible
on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including over-incarceration,
global climate change, nuclear risk, and significantly increasing financial capital for
the social sector. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program, the Foundation
supports creativity in Chicago through its arts and culture grantmaking. The
Foundation’s support helps create powerful performances and exhibitions, educate
young people, and engage communities, while providing
arts and culture organizations the flexibility to innovate
and experiment. Lyric Opera is very grateful for the
ongoing support of the MacArthur Foundation.