Elektra Program

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A R I A S O C I E T Y S P O T L I G H T | 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9
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ABBOTT FUND
Abbott and the Abbott Fund are leading corporate contributors
to Lyric Opera of Chicago, with a longstanding tradition of
dedicated support. Over the last three decades, Abbott has
generously cosponsored 24 Lyric productions, including this
season’s new coproduction ofLa bohème . Abbott has championed
Lyric’s achievements by making a leadership commitment to the
Breaking New Ground Campaign. “Lyric is one of the treasures
that make Chicago the world-class city that it is. We’re proud to be associated
with it.” says Miles D. White, Abbott’s Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer and a valued member of
Lyric’s Board of Directors.
ADA and WHITNEY ADDINGTON
Ada and Whitney Addington are dedicated Lyric
subscribers and donors. ey have contributed generously
to the Annual Campaign and the Breaking New Ground
Campaign, and have made a leadership gift in support of
Lyric’s new Ring cycle, including this season’s Siegfried.
e Addingtons have also invested in the company’s
future through their planned gift to Lyric. Lyric is
fortunate to have Dr. Whitney Addington as a member of its Board of Directors
and Executive Committee
AMERICAN AIRLINES
is season we celebrate 37 years of vital corporate partnership
with American Airlines, the Official Airline of Lyric Opera of
Chicago. In recognition of the company’s significant contribution
to the Building on Greatness Capital Campaign, the mezzanine
level of the Lyric Opera House is named the American Airlines
Mezzanine. American Airlines provides important in-kind support
for Lyric’s programs and special
events. Franco Tedeschi, Vice President of American
Airlines, proudly serves on Lyric’s Board of Directors
and Lyric Unlimited Committee.
PAUL M. ANGELL FAMILY FOUNDATION
e Paul M. Angell Family Foundation strives to advance society through the
performing arts, conservation of the world’s oceans, and alleviation of poverty. e
Foundation’s namesake, Paul M. Angell, founder of Newly Weds Foods, dedicated
the early part of his life to serving his country and performing as a member of John
Philip Sousa’s U.S. Navy Band during World War I. He believed in hard work,
self reliance, and optimism, and the Foundation is intended to honor him and his
ideals. At Lyric, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation has been a loyal supporter
of Lyric’s Annual Campaign and Lyric Unlimited programming and has generously
committed to a high level of multi-year support.
ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTORS
Lyric Opera is extremely grateful for Aria Society support received from ten
anonymous contributors during the 2018/19 season.
AVRAMOVICH CHARITABLE TRUST
Michael and Susan Avramovich were ardent supporters of theater,
opera, and classical music in Chicago. Longtime subscribers,
the Lyric was a special favorite. Michael had deep roots in Italy,
and his mother, Margherita, was from Rome. In a salute to
that heritage and to many years of Lyric, the Trust is pleased to
cosponsor La bohème and La traviata this season.
JULIE and ROGER BASKES
Lyric treasures the exemplary leadership and dedication
of Julie and Roger Baskes. Subscribers for more than
four decades, they have generously supported Lyric’s
Ryan Opera Center activities as previous cosponsors of
Rising Stars in Concert, and currently underwrite the
Ryan Opera Center Recital Series on 98.7WFMT. ey
have cosponsored numerous productions including, most recently, last season’s
Rigoletto and this season's Elektra. ey also made a leadership commitment to
the Breaking New Ground Campaign to help safeguard the future of Lyric Opera.
Lyric is honored to have Julie Baskes serve on its Board of Directors and Executive
Committee. Julie is also Chairman of the Production Sponsorship Committee, and
is a past President of the Ryan Opera Center Board.
MARLYS A. BEIDER
As an aficionada of Lyric for more than 30 years, Marlys has con-
tributed to the Annual Campaign and is a Bel Canto Benefactor
of the planned giving Overture Society. Her planned gift com-
mitment created the Marlys Beider Wigmaster and Makeup
Designer Endowed Chair in memory of her late husband, Harold
Beider. Marlys Beider cosponsored several productions including
Elektra (2012/13), Parsifal (2013/14), and Tosca (2014/15), and
has committed generous leadership gifts to cosponsor two of Lyric’s new Ring cycle
productions including Das Rheingold (2016/17) and next season's Götterdämmerung.
RANDY L. and MELVIN R. BERLIN
Devoted fans of opera education and the arts, Melvin
and Randy Berlin are vital members of the Lyric Opera
family. “It’s part of Chicago for us. It enriches the city
and the community, and we like to be part of that,”
says Melvin. e Berlins have contributed significantly
to the Annual Campaign and made a leadership gift to
the Breaking New Ground Campaign. Melvin and Randy have cosponsored several
productions including last season's Cosi fan tutte and this season's West Side Story.
Lyric is honored to have Melvin Berlin serve on its Board of Directors.
BMO HARRIS BANK
For over 200 years, BMO has been financing economic expansion
and supporting the communities it serves. BMO Harris is proud
to support the Lyric Opera through the Lyric’s Annual Campaign
and join the production sponsorship family for this season’s
La traviata. Lyric is honored to have Richard Pomeroy, Senior
Managing Director, BMO Wealth Management U.S., serve on
its Board of Directors and Investment Committee. “Opera is
truly an inspiration. It affects how we see and interpret the world
around us, and it’s our hope that the support we
provide Lyric will help increase exposure to such
a beautiful form of artistic expression.”
HENRY and GILDA BUCHBINDER FAMILY
FOUNDATION
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. ey have also been longtime generous donors
to the Annual Campaign, and are cosponsors of this season’s production of Il
trovatore. “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.
Franco Tedeschi
Richard Pomeroy
Miles D. White