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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
February 2 - 22, 2019 | 51
Carol and William Vance
MRS. HERBERT A. VANCE and
MR. and MRS. WILLIAM C. VANCE
Lyric Opera appreciates the extraordinary generosity
and leadership of the Vance Family. e Vances
have generously sponsored/cosponsored several Lyric
premieres and new productions, including this season's
West Side Story. For many years, the Vances have
supported emerging singers through their sponsorship
of Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members. In addition,
Mr. and Mrs. William C. Vance contributed to the
Breaking New Ground Campaign, and are generous
sponsors of the Renée Fleming Initiative. Mr. Vance is Vice President and an
esteemed member of Lyric’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He
also serves as a life member of the Ryan Opera Center Board, of which he is a
past President. Bill Vance was awarded the 2016 Carol Fox Award, Lyric’s most
prestigious honor, in recognition of his leadership, steadfast support, and many years
of devoted service to Lyric Opera.
Donna Van Eekeren
DONNA VAN EEKEREN FOUNDATION
Donna Van Eekeren is a devoted opera fan, Lyric subscriber,
and generous supporter of the Ryan Opera Center. She enjoys
encouraging talented young artists as Lead Sponsor of Rising
Stars in Concert and Exclusive Sponsor of its radio rebroadcast on
98.7WFMT. Reflecting her passion for introducing young people
to opera, the Donna Van Eekeren Foundation has supported
Lyric’s Performances for Students, NEXT discount tickets for
college students, and Opera in the Neighborhoods. e Donna
Van Eekeren Foundation has cosponsored several mainstage productions including
Lyric’s premiere of Les Troyens (2016/17), last season’s production of I Puritani,
and this season's La traviata. Donna also made a leadership gift to the Breaking
New Ground Campaign to help secure Lyric’s future. Executive Chairman of Land
O’Frost, Donna Van Eekeren is a valued member of Lyric’s Board of Directors,
serving as Secretary of the Board, on the Executive and Finance Committees, and
on the Ryan Opera Center Board.
THE WALLACE FOUNDATION
e Wallace Foundation is a national philanthropy that seeks to improve learning
and enrichment for disadvantaged children and foster the vitality of the arts for
everyone. Wallace has an unusual approach: funding projects to test innovative
ideas for solving important social problems, conducting research to find out what
works and what doesn’t and to fill key knowledge gaps – and then communicating
the results to help others. Lyric is the recipient of a multi-phase grant as part of the
Foundation’s Building Audiences for Sustainability initiative; the grant is funding
research and analysis of Lyric audiences, and will
reveal ways in which Lyric can maximize its reach
in the community. Lyric’s work will inform lessons
that will be shared with the broader field.
ROBERTA L. and ROBERT J. WASHLOW
Roberta and Bob Washlow are cherished members of
the Lyric family. For more than four decades, they have
enjoyed attending Lyric performances and special events,
and have generously supported the Annual Campaign.
Since 1986, the Port, Washlow, and Errant Families
together sponsored more than 20 Lyric productions.
e Washlows made a generous commitment to the Breaking New Ground
Campaign to support Lyric Unlimited activities. Roberta and Bob have annually
remained valued members of the production sponsorship family, and generously
cosponsor this season’s production of La bohème, their eleventh opera cosponsorship,
continuing a beloved family tradition. Lyric is honored to have Roberta Washlow
as an esteemed member of its Board of Directors and Lyric Unlimited Committee.
“Opera has always touched me,” Roberta once said. “I love the drama, passion,
music, and excitement of a live performance at Lyric. Nothing can replace it, and I
hope this beautiful art form will continue for generations.”
HELEN and SAM ZELL
Helen and Sam Zell are passionate supporters of
Chicago’s vibrant cultural scene. ey are longtime
subscribers to Lyric Opera and have contributed to the
Annual Campaign for many years. Helen and Sam have
cosponsored several new productions, most recently all
four installments of Lyric’s newRing cycle, including this
season's Siegfried and next season's Götterdämmerung.
Champagne Bar
Sunday Afternoon Tea
Florian Opera Bistro
Sarah and Peer Pedersen Room
The William B. and Catherine Graham Room
DRINK AND DINE AT LYRIC
Make your outing even more delicious with some of
Lyric’s on-site dining and refreshment options.
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