Così fan tutte

Alumni Perform at

Lyric — and Around

the World — in 2017/18

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago is recognized as one of the premier

professional artist-development programs in the world. To make a gift in support of the Ryan Opera Center’s efforts,

or for more information, please visit

, or call Meaghan Stainback at 312.827.5691.

MATTHEW POLENZANI

(Duke/

Rigoletto

; Nadir/

The Pearl Fishers

)

I am so grateful to Lyric Opera of Chicago for giving me the chance to

learn and grow in an amazing environment where beautiful art, made

at the highest level, is a daily experience. I was blessed to have made

my debut under the baton of Maestro Bruno Bartoletti, with Kiri Te

Kanawa, Michael Sylvester, Robert Lloyd, and Alexandru Agache in

Simon Boccanegra

. I will never forget walking down to the front center

of the stage and delivering my line after a trumpet fanfare. It was

heady and exciting stuff for a 27-year-old who’d not grown up listening

to opera, but had come to love it with a deep and abiding passion.

The voice lessons the Center provided, the classes in language and stage deportment, the

opportunity to share the stage with great singers like Sam Ramey, Kurt Moll, Catherine Malfitano,

and Ben Heppner among so many others — these experiences are priceless! Without the training,

planning, and work done in my years in the Ryan Opera Center, and the help and leadership of the

staff, I would not be where I am today. I am now about to celebrate my 20th consecutive season with

the Metropolitan Opera, where I have given more than 350 performances.

I want to give a big thank you to the donors who continue to support the Ryan Opera Center,

allowing it to remain one of the best training programs for singers in the world. Your love and care

for this beautiful art form helps ensure its survival, and your support means the world to me and the

emerging artists you are helping today.

JONATHAN

JOHNSON

Canadian Opera Company

Anna Bolena

EMILY

BIRSAN

Welsh National Opera

Don Giovanni

AMANDA

MAJESKI

Opéra National de Paris

La clemenza di Tito