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A R I A S O C I E T Y S P O T L I G H T |
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November 1 - 30, 2017
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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
last season’s productions of
The Magic Flute
and
My Fair Lady
. This season The
Negaunee Foundation is of the lead sponsor of both
Così fan tutte
and
Jesus Christ
Superstar
. 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, and have cosponsored several
mainstage opera productions, including last season’s
Lucia di Lammermoor
and this year’s
The Pearl Fishers
.
They made a generous gift to the Breaking New Ground
Campaign to help secure Lyric’s future. “It has been very
enjoyable to become part of the Lyric family and to give
back to a place that has given us so much pleasure. There have been many moments
for both Dan and me when we have said, tonight is incredible, it is one of the
memorable performances of our lifetime. Lyric Opera of Chicago is an international
star and it is evidenced by the people who choose to be involved here.”Lyric is
honored to have Sylvia Neil serve on its Board of Directors, Executive, 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.
Sonia Florian
NIB FOUNDATION
Founding owners/managers of former radio station WNIB, Sonia
and the late William Florian established the NIB Foundation to
extend their support to many worthwhile arts and environmental
causes. Sonia is a devoted member of the Lyric family, having
subscribed to Lyric for more than four decades. The NIB
Foundation continues to cosponsor many mainstage productions
including this season’s production of
Orphée et Eurydice
, and made
a major commitment to the Breaking New Ground Campaign.
In addition to their magnanimous financial support, Mr. and Mrs. Florian and the
NIB Foundation gave their valuable collection of operatic and other vocal recordings
to Lyric, making Lyric’s Educational Library Collection one of the most extensive
collections of its kind in the country. Sonia Florian very generously provided a
naming gift for the Florian Opera Bistro located on the third floor of the Lyric
Opera House. Sonia is a vital member of Lyric’s
Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and
Production Sponsorship Committee, and was
awarded the Carol Fox Award, Lyric’s most
prestigious honor, in 2015 for her outstanding
commitment to the company.
JOHN D. and ALEXANDRA C. NICHOLS
Longtime enthusiasts of arts and culture in Chicago, John
D. and Alexandra C. Nichols have steadfastly supported
the Annual Campaign, and are generous sponsors of
the Renée Fleming Initiative. Lyric Opera is extremely
grateful for John and Alexandra Nichols’ significant
leadership contributions to both the Campaign for
Excellence and the Breaking New Ground Campaign, establishing the John D. and
Alexandra C. Nichols Grand Staircase. Retired Chairman and CEO of Illinois Tool
Works and Retired Vice Chairman and CEO of The Marmon Group, Inc., John
Nichols is also a dedicated National Director of Lyric’s Board of Directors. “Our
involvement with the opera company is truly a deeply rewarding experience for
both of us.” Lyric is immensely grateful for the unwavering generosity of John and
Alexandra Nichols.
Jana R. Schreuder
NORTHERN TRUST
Lyric is honored to have Jana R. Schreuder, chief operating officer
of Northern Trust, serve as a member of Lyric’s Board of Directors,
Executive and Finance Committees, and William A. Osborn,
Northern Trust’s retired chairman and CEO, serve as a member
of Lyric’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. A leading
global financial services provider, Northern Trust has enjoyed a long-
standing and significant relationship with Lyric. Based in Chicago,
the firm has played a major role supporting the Annual Campaign
and Lyric Unlimited. Northern Trust also provides vital leadership contributions
to Lyric as presenting sponsor of the triennial Wine Auction since 2000, and as
cosponsor of the Opera Ball (annually since 1998). In addition, Northern Trust
has cosponsored several mainstage productions including last season’s
My Fair
Lady
. "Being a good corporate citizen is very
important," William Osborn once said. "It
allows us to do our part to help keep the City
of Chicago strong and viable and, in the end,
this is beneficial to everyone."
John P. Amboian
NUVEEN INVESTMENTS
Nuveen Investments, represented by Lyric Board of Directors
and Finance committee member John P. Amboian, has been an
enthusiastic supporter for more than three decades. “Lyric Opera
is one of the gems of Chicago; a world-class endeavor in every
aspect of its operation” proudly says John. Dedicated to developing
the next generation of opera lovers, Nuveen Investments provided
general support for Lyric’s education and community engagement
initiatives, and has underwritten NEXT student discount tickets.
Nuveen Investments has also cosponsored several
mainstage opera productions and has committed
a leadership gift to the Breaking New Ground
Campaign.
MR. and MRS. DAVID T. ORMESHER
Lyric is sincerely grateful for the devotion of David
and Sheila Ormesher. David is founder and CEO
of closerlook, inc., a Chicago-based digital marketing
agency serving the pharmaceutical industry since 1987.
closerlook has given generously to Lyric Opera for
many years, sponsoring Fantasy of the Opera from 2009
to 2014 and the Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium
Park concert for six consecutive years. Most recently, David and Sheila generously
provided an Operathon Challenge Grant, supported the Opera Ball, and made a
leadership gift towards the Breaking New Ground Campaign. Lyric is proud to
have David T. Ormesher serving as its Chairman of the Board of Directors, on the
Executive Committee, and on seven sub-committees of the Board.