44 / 74
L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O
44
|
February 17 - March 16, 2018
HENRY M. and GILDA R. BUCHBINDER
Dedicated lovers of the arts, Henry and Gilda
Buchbinder are longstanding members of the Lyric
Opera family. Committed to sustaining the exceptional
quality of Lyric’s artistic product, the Buchbinders
made a leadership gift to Lyric’s Breaking New Ground
Campaign to name the Henry and Gilda Buchbinder
Family Foundation Rehearsal Room. They have also been longtime generous donors
to the Annual Campaign, and are cosponsors of this season’s new production of
Faust
. “I really do believe that Lyric is the best opera company in the world,” is
Gilda’s heartfelt assessment, to which Hank adds, “the productions are done so well,
and stage sets are marvelous.” Lyric is honored to have Gilda Buchbinder serve on its
Board of Directors and the Production Sponsorship Committee.
CAROLYN S. BUCKSBAUM
Lyric Opera sincerely appreciates the extraordinary leadership and
generosity of Kay Bucksbaum. An avid subscriber and longtime
patron of Lyric with her late husband Matthew, the Bucksbaum
Family’s very generous challenge grant re-established Lyric’s
regional and national/international radio broadcasts in 2006.
Kay’s incredible continued matching support makes possible The
Lyric Opera Broadcasts, which draw 16 million listeners annually.
“Lyric is a great national institution,” Matthew once said, “and it gives our family
great pleasure to know these broadcasts bring Lyric’s wonderful performances to so
many in Chicago and around the globe.”
John and Jackie Bucksbaum
THE JOHN and JACOLYN BUCKSBAUM
FOUNDATION
Passionate philanthropists in the Chicago community,
John and Jackie Bucksbaum are major supporters of
the arts. John Bucksbaum is founder and CEO of
Bucksbaum Retail Properties, LLC, a fully-integrated
owner and developer of retail real estate. John and
Jackie, with their family, generously provide matching
funding for The Lyric Opera Broadcasts, which air on
98.7WFMT live during each opening night performance.
Allan E. Bulley, III
BULLEY & ANDREWS
Founded 1891, Bulley & Andrews is one of the Midwest’s most
trusted and accomplished construction companies. The fourth
generation, family-owned firm offers clients a full-range of
construction services including general contracting, construction
management, design/build, and masonry and concrete restoration.
Bulley & Andrews has, for many seasons, supported Lyric
Unlimited’s
Performances for Students
programs, and is a cosponsor
of Lyric’s
Ring
cycle, including last
season’s
Das Rheingold
and this season’s
Die Walküre
. Lyric
Opera is pleased to have Allan E. Bulley, III as a member
of its Board of Directors.
John and Alice Butler
THE BUTLER FAMILY FOUNDATION
Longtime subscribers from Dubuque, Iowa, John and
Alice Butler recently made a leadership gift to Lyric’s
Breaking New Ground Campaign’s stage improvement
project. John says, “When Alice and I heard that Lyric
was unable to share productions with other houses due
to our outdated and unreliable stage technology, we
understood that to be a serious problem that needed to
be addressed. We believe in Lyric’s mission to be the best
opera company in North America, and in order to be the best, we must have access
the best productions.” Lyric Opera is honored to have John Butler serve on its Board
of Directors and Investment Committee.
MARION A. CAMERON
Lyric is sincerely honored to have the support and leadership
of Marion A. Cameron. A subscriber and donor for more
than 20 years, Lyric gratefully acknowledges her outstanding
generosity through her leadership gift to the Breaking New
Ground Campaign, and her many production cosponsorships,
including this season’s
Così fan tutte.
Ms. Cameron is the CEO of
Sipi Metals Corp., which continues to support the widely popular
Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park concert. Marion Cameron is a member of
Lyric’s Board of Directors, Executive and Finance Committees, and Chair of the
Investment Committee.
CENTENE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Charitable outreach is an important part of Centene Corporation's business
philosophy. Since 2004, Centene Charitable Foundation has contributed a
substantial amount to initiatives that improve the quality of life and health in our
communities. Through our donations to organizations in the arts, we are not only
sustaining the ongoing cultural traditions, but also paving the way for future
generations to experience the arts. This season, Centene Charitable Foundation is
providing leadership support for
EmpowerYouth! Igniting Creativity through the
Arts
, a groundbreaking multi-disciplinary afterschool program offered in
partnership between Lyric Unlimited and the Chicago Urban League that will
culminate in the presentation of a fully
staged, youth-centric opera based on
participants’ real-life experiences.
Elizabeth F. Cheney
ELIZABETH F. CHENEY FOUNDATION
Lyric Opera remains deeply grateful for the long-term generosity
of the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, one of Chicago’s
nonprofit leaders in arts support. The Cheney Foundation has
made an enhanced multi-year commitment to the Ryan Opera
Center/Lyric Opera. During the 2017/18 season, the Cheney
Foundation is supporting Guest Master Teacher and Artist
residencies; the Director of Vocal Studies faculty position; access
to a behind-the-scenes view of the Ensemble selection process
by opening the Ryan Opera Center’s Final Auditions to a greater number of Lyric
donors and subscribers for the fifth year; and singer sponsorship of tenor Mario
Rojas. Lyric Opera is honored to have foundation director Allan Drebin serve on its
Board of Directors, and the Ryan Opera Center Board.
MRS. JOHN V. CROWE
Peggy and the late Jack Crowe are generous and
passionate members of the Lyric family, evidenced
by their major support of the Breaking New Ground
Campaign and the Renee Fleming Initiative. Jack and
Peggy Crowe's significant contribution to Lyric was
recognized in naming the Isabelle Cavagnaro Crowe
Foyer on the fifth floor in memory of Jack Crowe's mother. Lyric was very fortunate
to have Jack Crowe serve as an esteemed member of the Executive Committee of
Lyric's Board of Directors.
Lester and Renée Crown
THE CROWN FAMILY
Two of Chicago’s leading philanthropists, Renée and
Lester Crown, are devoted patrons of Lyric Opera.
The Crown Family is a sponsor of the Renée Fleming
Initiative and made generous gifts to Lyric’s Annual
Campaign and Breaking New Ground Campaign. Mrs.
Crown is a past President of the Women’s Board. Mr.
Crown joined Lyric’s Board of Directors in 1977 and
has served as Chairman of the Executive Committee ever since. In 2004, Renée
and Lester Crown were recipients of the Carol Fox Award, presented in recognition
of their outstanding leadership and commitment to Lyric. Lyric is also honored to
have Mrs. Nancy Carrington Crown serve on its esteemed Women’s Board. Lyric is
forever indebted to The Crown Family for their many years of dedicated service to
Lyric Opera of Chicago.