Lyric Opera of Chicago history

Lyric Opera of Chicago, 1956-Present The first season of the new Lyric Opera of Chicago opened on 10 October 1956 with Puccini’s The Girl of the Golden West.

Norman Pellegrini, host of Lyric's broadcasts on 98.7WFMT since 1971, dies July 2.

Due to lack of sponsorship for the first time since 1973, no Lyric productions are broadcast.

Established in 1974 as the professional artist-development program for Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Ryan Opera Center has been recognized as one of the premier programs of its kind in the world for more than four decades.

Ardis Krainik, who succeeded Fox as general director upon the latter's retirement in 1981, earned a reputation as a tough businesswoman and shrewd arts executive.

Lyric sells out its entire 1988/89 season, reaching 103% of box-office capacity in the 3,563-seat Civic Opera House with 32,500 series-ticket subscribers.

In 1989 Lyric Opera of Chicago launched its “Toward the 21st Century” artistic initiative—the most important artistic initiative the company had undertaken to date, and one with a far-reaching impact on American opera in North America as well as in the international opera community.

In 1991 she made headlines when she fired Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti for yet another cancellation due to being “indisposed.” Krainik endeared herself to Chicago’s opera patrons, who had been disappointed by one too many of Pavarotti’s last-minute cancellations.

Lyric announces a new Ring cycle, to begin in the 1992-93 season, with Zubin Mehta/conductor, August Everding/director.

The artistic teamIn 1994, celebrated Broadway stage director George C. Wolfe joined the cousins and worked with them to help sharpen the dramatic rhythms of the opera and make it come alive on stage.

Among other major artistic achievements was Lyric's first presentation of Wagner's Ring cycle in a single season within the span of a week, following the 1995/96 Season.

The company's first integral production of Wagner's Ring cycle, in March 1996, was its most ambitious and, at $6.5 million, most expensive artistic endeavor to date.

At Krainik's death in January 1997 she was succeeded by William Mason, the company's director of operations, artistic and production.

Bruno Bartoletti will retire as Lyric's artistic director on April 30, 1999, becoming artistic director emeritus.

Return of The Queen of Spades in Richard Jones's production, with Sir Andrew Davis returning to the first opera he led as Lyric music director in 2000/01.

The Ring again sold out when remounted for three cycles during the 2004/05 Season.

After a four-year hiatus, Lyric resumes live broadcasts on 98.7WFMT on Opening Night with Salome, thanks to The Bucksbaum Family Lyric Opera Broadcasts, made possible by the Matthew Bucksbaum Family, with matching funds provided for 2006/07 by Richard P. and Susan Kiphart.

6, 2009) raises record $1.8 million in net proceeds.

Renée Fleming was named Lyric's first creative consultant in 2010, and now serves as Lyric's special projects advisor.

Anthony Freud, Lyric's general director, president & CEO, began his tenure in 2011.

Lyric Unlimited, a long-term, evolving initiative that encompasses company activities outside of Lyric’s mainstage season, announced in July 2012.

Lyric expanded its programming with a series focused on grand scale productions of American music theater in 2013, presenting a classic musical each spring to conclude the company’s mainstage season.

Announcement of world-premiere commission: Bel Canto by Peruvian composer Jimmy López, with libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz, based on Ann Patchett’s best-selling novel; premiere planned for 2015-16 season.

Maria Callas Hologram performance, September 9, 2019.