RISING STARS IN CONCERT

Sunday, January 19, 2020, 2 p.m.

Featuring the 2019|20 Ensemble of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at

Generously made possible by Lead Sponsor: Donna Van Eekeren Foundation

Sponsors: Ann M. Drake, Sue and Melvin Gray, Patricia A. Kenney and Gregory J. O’Leary, Chauncey and Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation, Lauter McDougal Charitable Fund, Frank B. Modruson and Lynne C. Shigley, and Dr. Scholl Foundation, with additional support from Dentons LLP and Allan Drebin

Listen to the broadcast of Rising Stars in Concert on 98.7WFMT and .com, Sunday, January 26, beginning at 7 p.m., generously sponsored by the Donna Van Eekeren Foundation.

PROGRAM

Francis Poulenc Les mamelles de Tirésias, Prologue, CHRISTOPHER KENNEY (Theater Director) (1899 |1963) “Publique, attendez sans impatience”

Vincenzo Bellini La sonnambula, Act Two, cavatina and cabaletta, EMILY POGORELC (Amina) (1801 |1835) “Ah, non credea mirarti…Ah, non giunge”

Gioachino Rossini Il turco in Italia, Act Two, duet, ANTHONY REED (Selim) (1792 |1868) “D’un bell’uso di Turchia” DAVID WEIGEL (Geronio)

Charles Gounod Roméo et Juliette, Act Two, recitative and aria, MARIO ROJAS (Roméo) (1818 |1893) “L’amour! L’amour!...Ah! lève-toi, soleil”

Giuseppe Verdi Un ballo in maschera, Act Two, aria, LAUREN DECKER (Ulrica) (1813 |1901) “Re dell’abisso, affretati” MATHILDA EDGE, KATHLEEN FELTY (Female Chorus) MARIO ROJAS (Riccardo)

Ralph Vaughan Williams Sir John in Love, Act One, duet, EMILY POGORELC (Anne) (1872 |1958) “This is my father’s choice” ERIC FERRING (Fenton)

Hector Berlioz Béatrice et Bénédict, Act Two, recitative and aria, KAYLEIGH DECKER (Béatrice) (1803 |1869) “Dieu, que viens-je d’entendre?...Il m’en souvient”

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 2 Richard Strauss , Act Three, trio and final duet, KATHLEEN FELTY (Octavian) (1864 |1949) “Marie-Theres’!...Hab’ mir’s gelobt… MATHILDA EDGE (Marschallin) Ist ein Traum” EMILY POGORELC (Sophie) RICARDO JOSÉ RIVERA (Faninal)

Intermission

Gabriel Fauré Piano Quartet No.1, Op.15, Fourth Movement, MADELINE SLETTEDAHL (piano) (1845 |1924) Allegro molto ROBERT HANFORD (violin) CAROL COOK (viola) CALUM COOK (cello)

Gaetano Donizetti , Act Three, recitative and duet, MARIO ROJAS (Edgardo) (1797 |1848) “Orrida è questa notte…Ashton! Sì!” RICARDO JOSÉ RIVERA (Enrico)

Claude Debussy Pelléas et Mélisande, Act Two, Fountain Scene, CHRISTOPHER KENNEY (Pelléas) (1862 |1918) “Vous ne savez pas où je vous ai menée?” KAYLEIGH DECKER (Mélisande)

Georges Bizet Carmen, Act Two, Toreador Song, “Votre toast” DAVID WEIGEL (Escamillo) (1838 |1875) EMILY POGORELC (Frasquita) KAYLEIGH DECKER (Mercédès) KATHLEEN FELTY (Carmen) CHRISTOPHER KENNEY (Moralès) ANTHONY REED (Zuniga)

Léo Délibes Lakmé, Act One, recitative and aria, “Prendre le ERIC FERRING (Gérald) (1836 |1891) dessin d’un bijou...Fantaisie aux divins mensonges”

Donizetti La favorite, Act Two, recitative, cavatina, RICARDO JOSÉ RIVERA (Alphonse) and cabaletta, “Oui, tous ces courtisans… Léonor, viens…Léonor, mon amour brave”

Jacques Offenbach La fille du tambour major, Act Three, duet, KAYLEIGH DECKER (Duchess) (1819 |1880) “L’autre jour, contre toute attente” ANTHONY REED (Monthabor)

Verdi Aida, Act Two, recitative and duet, “Silenzio, LAUREN DECKER (Amneris) Aida versa noi s’avanza…Fu la sorte dell’armi” MATHILDA EDGE (Aida)

Victor Herbert Naughty Marietta, Act Two, finale FULL ENSEMBLE (1859 |1924)

Director: Louisa Muller Lighting Designer: Sarah Riffle Stage Management: Bill Walters, Alaina Bartkowiak, Amy C. Thompson Musical and Language Preparation: William C. Billingham, Julia Faulkner, Laurann Gilley, Jonathan Gmeinder, Derek Matson, Jerad Mosbey, Matthew Piatt, Celeste Rue, Madeline Slettedahl, Craig Terry Wardrobe, Hair, and Makeup: Wendy McCay, Lana McKinnon, Bridget Rzymski Projected Titles Translations: Roger Pines, Francis Rizzo Cover Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Il turco in Italia - By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., Agent for Ricordi, publisher and copyright owner.

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 3 Artist profiles

ARI PELTO | CONDUCTOR KAYLEIGH DECKER | Lyric debut MEZZO-SOPRANO Previously at Lyric: Dorothée/Cendrillon, The conductor is music director at Opera Cretan Woman/Idomeneo (both 2018|19). Colorado, where this season he leads , Pagliacci, and . He also The mezzo-soprano, a second-year Ryan conducts Hansel and Gretel at San Diego Opera and Center member, hails from Woodstock, Maryland. She is Opera’s Schwabacher Summer Concert. Among Pelto’s major an alumna of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory achievements at Opera Colorado have been the world premieres of Music (where she sang leading roles by Handel, Mozart, of Lori Laitman’s The Scarlet Letter (released on CD) and Gerald Massenet, and Janácek)ˇ and the Oberlin Conservatory. Decker Cohen’s Steal a Pencil for Me. Recent guest-conducting includes participated in Carnegie Hall’s 2019 SongStudio, and in 2018 Eugene Onegin (Lyric Opera of Kansas City), and Salome and Lucia was a Schwab Vocal Rising Star with Caramoor and the New di Lammermoor (Virginia Opera). Pelto has also conducted at New York Festival of Song. She is a former young artist of The York City Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Chicago Opera Glimmerglass Festival, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and Theater, Opera Memphis, Chautauqua Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Utah Festival Opera. She has also participated in the Houston The Minnesota Opera, and Utah Opera. International appearances Grand Opera Young Artists Vocal Academy. Among Decker’s include the New National Theatre of Tokyo, the Teatro Nacional many honors are first place in the Musicians Club of Women Sucre (Quito, Ecuador), and the Bochumer Philharmoniker Scholarship Competition, a 2019 Luminarts Fellowship, and a (Germany). Pelto regularly works with leading conservatories and 2019 Sara Tucker Study Grant from the Richard Tucker Music young-artist programs including Wolf Trap Opera, The Juilliard Foundation. She returns to the Lyric stage this season as Kate School, The Curtis Institute, Manhattan School of Music, Oberlin Pinkerton/. Kayleigh Decker is sponsored by Conservatory, and the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme at the The C. G. Pinnell Family. Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. LAUREN DECKER | CONTRALTO Previously at Lyric: Eight roles since 2016|17, LOUISA MULLER | DIRECTOR most recently Jade Boucher/Dead Man Previously at Lyric: Three productions since Walking (2019|20); Annina/La traviata 2012|13, most recently Carmen (associate (2018|19). director, 2016|17); Madama Butterfly (2013|14). Directed Rising Stars in Concert The contralto, a fourth-year Ryan Opera Center member, was in 2019. a national semifinalist in the 2018 National Council Auditions. A Wisconsin native and a graduate of the Coming off an acclaimed U.K. debut with The Turn of the Screw University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Decker has participated in (new production, Garsington Opera), the American director the Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme (U.K.), Dolora Zajick’s is at Lyric in 2019|20 as revival director of Madama Butterfly. Institute for Young Dramatic Voices, the American Wagner This season she also debuts at Opera Colorado directing Tosca. Project (Washington, D.C.), and the Georg Solti Accademia di Muller is a frequent presence at Wolf Trap Opera, where she Bel Canto (Italy). Concert appearances include the San Francisco has directed new productions of The Rape of Lucretia, Romeo Symphony, South Dakota Symphony, Grant Park Music and Juliet, Tosca, and John Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles. Festival, Apollo Chorus/Elmhurst Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Last season she debuted at LA Opera (Don Carlo) and The Chicago, and Zimbabwe’s Harare International Festival of the Minnesota Opera (La traviata). She earned critical praise for her Arts. Winner of the 2019 Edith Newfield Scholarship from the 2017 staging of Das Rheingold with the New York Philharmonic. Musicians Club of Women of Chicago and the 2018 Lola Fletcher As a member of the Metropolitan Opera’s directing staff, Muller scholarship in voice from the American Opera Society of has staged revivals of Don Giovanni, Cavalleria rusticana/ Chicago, Decker has been featured twice in the Harris Theater’s Pagliacci, and L’elisir d’amore. She has also directed productions Beyond the Aria series. She returns to the Lyric stage later this at Houston Grand Opera, the Grand Théâtre de Genève, Opera season to portray Schwertleite/Die Walküre in the Ring cycle. Queensland (Australia), and The Atlanta Opera. Lauren Decker is sponsored by an Anonymous Donor, Susan M. Miller, and the Thierer Family Foundation.

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 4 MATHILDA EDGE | SOPRANO former resident artist at Pittsburgh Opera, he was heard there in Previously at Lyric: Berta/The Barber of numerous roles, among them Flask/Moby-Dick, Nemorino/L’elisir Seville (2019|20). d’amore, and the Protagonist/Douglas J. Cuomo’s Ashes and Snow (world premiere). Ferring sang Tamino/ The first-year Ryan Opera Center soprano, at last summer’s Verbier Festival and will reprise the role later originally from Chandlerville, Illinois, is an this season at North Carolina Opera, New Orleans Opera, and alumna of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where The . He is a former participant in The Santa she earned her master’s degree in vocal performance. Among her Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and Wolf Trap Opera many IU roles were Fiordiligi/Così fan tutte, Romilda/Xerxes, and young-artist programs. Ferring’s many honors include Best Cio-Cio-San/Madama Butterfly. Edge is a 2019 recipient of a Sara Vocal Artist at the American Opera Society, Sara Tucker Study Tucker Study Grant from the Richard Tucker Music Foundation. Grant from The Richard Tucker Music Foundation, and a Career She has also won or placed in many important competitions, Grant from The Sullivan Foundation. He returns to the Lyric such as the Washington International Competition for Voice, stage later this season as Chaplitsky/The Queen of Spades. Eric the National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Award Ferring is sponsored by Richard O. Ryan, Richard W. Shepro and Competition, and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Lindsay E. Roberts, and Cynthia Vahlkamp and Robert Kenyon. Auditions. Edge has sung with The City Choir of Washington, New Dominion Chorale, the Bel Canto Chorus, and with numerous CHRISTOPHER KENNEY | university choirs in the Midwest. She is a former Merola Opera BARITONE Program participant and a former Santa Fe Opera apprentice Previously at Lyric: Four roles since 2018|19, artist. She returns to the Lyric stage later this season as Gerhilde/ most recently Motorcycle Cop/Dead Man Die Walküre. Mathilda Edge is sponsored by Maurice J. and Walking, Fiorello/The Barber of Seville Patricia Frank. (both 2019|20).

KATHLEEN FELTY | The baritone, a Minnesota native and a second-year Ryan Opera MEZZO-SOPRANO Center member, was previously a member of Washington Previously at Lyric: Laura/Luisa Miller National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program (title (2019|20). role/The Barber of Seville, the Businessman/The Little Prince, Pa Zegner/Missy Mazzoli’s Proving Up – world premiere). The mezzo-soprano, a native of Lubbock, Additionally, he was a featured soloist in Bernstein’s Songfest Texas, and a first-year member of the Ryan Opera Center, is an with Leonard Slatkin and the National Symphony Orchestra. alumna of Texas Tech University and the A. J. Fletcher Opera Kenney was a 2017 apprentice artist at The Santa Fe Opera. Institute. Her roles at Fletcher included Charlotte/Werther, He is a three-time winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Angelina/, Unulfo/Rodelinda, Miss Jessel/The Turn Council District Auditions and winner of the 2014 Alltech of the Screw, Geneviève/Impressions de Pelléas, Dinah/Trouble Vocal Scholarship Competition. The baritone is an alumnus of in Tahiti, the Composer/, and Paula/Florencia Concordia College, the University of Kentucky, and Philadelphia’s en el Amazonas. Felty was an apprentice artist at The Santa Fe Academy of Vocal Arts. He has appeared at the Grant Park Opera in 2018, receiving the Katharine Mayer Award. She made Music Festival (Bob/The Old Maid and the Thief) and at the her North Carolina Opera concert debut as Clotilde/Norma Harris Theater’s Beyond the Aria series. Kenney returns to the and her Dayton Opera debut as Maddalena/. In 2017, Lyric stage later this season as the Registrar/Madama Butterfly. Felty was a participant in the Ravinia-Steans Music Institute Christopher Kenney is sponsored by an Anonymous Donor, Sasha Program for Singers. She is a four-time District Winner of the Gerritson and Eugene Jarvis, and Blythe J. McGarvie. Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and a winner of the Charlotte Opera Guild Vocal Competition (2018) and the EMILY POGORELC | SOPRANO Heafner Williams Vocal Competition (2019). She returns to the Previously at Lyric: Three roles since Lyric stage later this season as Siegrune/Die Walküre. Kathleen 2018|19, most recently Paralegal/Dead Man Felty is sponsored by Heidi Heutel Bohn, Lawrence O. Corry, and Walking (2019|20); Trainbearer/Elektra Robert C. Marks. (2018|19).

ERIC FERRING | TENOR The soprano, a Milwaukee native and a second-year Ryan Previously at Lyric: Six roles since 2018|19, Opera Center member, debuted at Lyric last season as Noémie/ most recently the Older Brother/Dead Man Cendrillon and is a 2018 graduate of Philadelphia’s Curtis Walking, Sergeant/The Barber of Seville Institute of Music. She has also participated in the Britten- (both 2019|20). Pears Programme (U.K.) and the Aix-en-Provence Festival’s Mozart Residency. Pogorelc has been featured at Washington The Iowa-born tenor, a second-year Ryan Opera Center member National Opera (Cunegonde/Candide); the Glimmerglass Festival who earned acclaim at Lyric last season as Lurcanio/, is (Romilda/Xerxes, Johanna/Sweeney Todd, Berenice/L’occasione an alumnus of Drake University and The Boston Conservatory. A fa il ladro); New York’s Apollo Theater (Chan Parker/Daniel

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 5 Schnyder’s Charlie Parker’s Yardbird); and Opera Philadelphia Des Knaben Wunderhorn). Rivera returns to the Lyric stage later (title role/David Hertzberg’s The Rose Elf). She has also appeared this season as Yamadori/Madama Butterfly. Ricardo José Rivera is at Carnegie Hall, in the Harris Theater’s Beyond the Aria series, sponsored by the Mrs. Myung S. Chung Family, Dr. David H. Whitney and with the New Jersey Symphony and Madison Symphony. and Dr. Juliana Chyu, and Drs. Joan and Russ Zajtchuk. Pogorelc has won the Ginette Theano Prize for Most Promising Talent at the Glyndebourne Opera Cup competition, first prize in MARIO ROJAS | TENOR The Carolyn Bailey and Dominick Argento Vocal Competition, Previously at Lyric: Four roles since 2017|18, and first place in the Classical Singer Magazine Competition. She most recently Alfredo Germont and returns to the Lyric stage later this season as Masha/The Queen Gastone de Letorières/La traviata (2018|19). of Spades. Emily Pogorelc is sponsored by Sally and Michael Feder, Ms. Gay K. Stanek, and Jennifer L. Stone. The Mexican tenor, a third-year Ryan Opera Center member, is an alumnus of the San Francisco ANTHONY REED | BASS Conservatory of Music and recipient of the Plácido Domingo Previously at Lyric: Second Prison Guard/ scholarship from SIVAM, Mexico’s most prominent young-artist Dead Man Walking (2019|20). program. He has sung Rodolfo/La bohème at Mexico City’s Palacio de Bellas Artes. Among his many honors are a 2018 The bass, a first-year Ryan Opera Center William M. Sullivan Foundation Award, third place in the 2018 member, is an alumnus of the Curtis Institute Dallas Opera Vocal Competition, winner of the 2018 Metropolitan of Music and the Merola Opera Program. He was recently seen Opera National Council Illinois District Auditions, second place at Wolf Trap Opera portraying Friar Laurence/Romeo and Juliet. in the East Bay Opera League Competition, the Marta Eggerth A former Adler Fellow with San Francisco Opera, he has been Kiepura Award in the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation heard on the company’s mainstage as the King of Egypt/Aida, the International Vocal Completion, third place in the Palm Springs Speaker/The Magic Flute, and Dr. Grenvil/La traviata. He recently Opera Guild Competition, and the Emerging Singers Award in sang Don Basilio/The Barber of Seville with Annapolis Opera the Opera Index Vocal Competition. He has been heard at the and Haydn’s Creation with North Carolina Master Chorale. Harris Theater’s Beyond the Aria recital series and Kentucky Additional roles in his repertoire include Sarastro/The Magic Opera’s Sidecar cabaret series. Rojas returns to the Lyric stage Flute and Don Magnifico/La Cenerentola, among others. He has later this season as the Major-Domo/The Queen of Spades. Mario performed with Grammy Award-winning symphony orchestras Rojas is sponsored by the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation. and some of the world’s most esteemed conductors, among them Nicola Luisotti and Donald Runnicles. Reed returns to the Lyric MADELINE SLETTEDAHL | PIANO stage later this season as the Imperial Commissioner/Madama Previously at Lyric: Music staff for three Butterfly and Narumov/The Queen of Spades. Anthony Reed is productions since 2017|18, most sponsored by J. Thomas Hurvis. recently The Barber of Seville (2019|20); Siegfried (2018|19). RICARDO JOSÉ RIVERA | BARITONE The pianist, a native of Seattle, Washington, is a third-year Ryan Previously at Lyric: Baron Douphol/La Opera Center member. She was invited to study at the 2019 traviata, Schaunard/La bohème (both Solti Accademia di Bel Canto and the Britten-Pears Young Artist 2018|19). Programme. Slettedahl is also an alumna of Music Academy of the West (first prize, Marilyn Horne Song Competition). She The Puerto Rican baritone, a second-year Ryan Opera Center has made Carnegie Hall appearances at The Song Continues member, has portrayed Guglielmo/Così fan tutte at the and SongStudio. Slettedahl prepared Menotti’s The Telephone International Vocal Academy of Rome; sung several recitals and The Medium at Opera in the Heights and was coach/pianist with the American Masters of Opera Academy in Moscow; and for Houston Grand Opera’s 2017 world-premiere workshop performed as a participant in Tel-Aviv’s International Vocal Arts of Ricky Ian Gordon’s A House Without a Christmas Tree. She Institute. He has had repeat engagements at the Performing Arts is an alumna of Rice University (master’s degree, Andre Watts Center of San Juan and at the University of Puerto Rico Theater, Scholarship, Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Program Olshan including Don Pasquale, Gianni Schicchi, and Ravel’s Master Foundation Fellowship Award) and Western Washington Peter’s Puppet Show (part of the 2016 Casals Festival). Rivera University (bachelor’s degree, first prize in the WWU Concerto earned his master’s degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School Competition, Music Teachers National Association Young of Music. He has participated in numerous summer programs, Artist Piano Competition). For this season’s Ring cycle at Lyric, including VOICExperience in Savannah and the Aspen Music Slettedahl will serve on the music staff for Siegfried. Madeline Festival, where he has appeared in Berlioz’s Béatrice et Bénédict Slettedahl is sponsored by Nancy Dehmlow, Loretta N. Julian, and and Luke Bedford’s opera Seven Angels. In 2018 he performed in Philip G. Lumpkin. concert with the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago (Mahler’s

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 6 DAVID WEIGEL | BASS-BARITONE CAROL COOK | VIOLA Previously at Lyric: Four roles since 2018|19, Lyric Opera Orchestra member since most recently First Prison Guard/Dead Man 2003|04; principal violist since 2013|14. Walking (2019|20); Dr. Grenvil/La traviata (2018|19). The Scottish-born violist has performed as soloist with the Chicago Philharmonic, The second-year bass-baritone, a native of Asheville, North Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra in Boston, Edinburgh Carolina, is an alumnus of Furman University (bachelor of Symphony, Guildhall Symphony, Cambridge Sinfonia, and music), the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (master Edinburgh Players. She has also played the Brahms Double of music), the A. J. Fletcher Opera Institute at the University of Concerto alongside her brother Calum with the Edinburgh North Carolina School of the Arts (professional artist certificate), Symphony and the Grampian Orchestra. Cook has appeared as and the University of Michigan (doctor of musical arts – he was guest principal violist with numerous international orchestras, also heard there in numerous leading roles). He participated in including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, with whom she San Francisco Opera’s Merola Opera Program in 2017 (Death/ has toured internationally. She performs regularly with the Holst’s Savitri) and 2013 (Collatinus/Britten’s The Rape of Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and has also appeared with the Lucretia). Weigel starred in the title role/ New York Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra. at the 2019 Aspen Music Festival and has performed with North Cook is currently a member of Chicago’s Rembrandt Chamber Carolina Opera, Greensboro Opera, Piedmont Opera, Asheville Musicians. She has appeared as a chamber musician at summer Lyric Opera, Opera North, and the Brevard Music Center. He has festivals in Banff, Verbier, Montreal, and La Jolla, as well as with also been heard in an exceptionally varied concert repertoire. Chambermusic Northwest, the Mimir Festival, and San Antonio’s Weigel returns to the Lyric stage later this season as the Bonze/ Cactus Pear Festival. Cook holds degrees from The Juilliard Madama Butterfly and Surin/The Queen of Spades. David Weigel School, Oberlin Conservatory, and the Guildhall School. is sponsored by Lois B. Siegel, Michael and Salme Harju Steinberg, and Mrs. J. W. Van Gorkom. CALUM COOK | CELLO Principal cello of the Lyric Opera Orchestra ROBERT HANFORD | VIOLIN since 2014|15. Concertmaster of the Lyric Opera Orchestra since 2004|05. A Scottish native, the cellist studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal The American violinist, concertmaster College of Music. He has appeared as guest principal cello with during the summer at the Aspen Music the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Festival, was previously associate principal second violinist of the Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Orchestra of Minnesota Orchestra and a member of both the Milwaukee Opera North, Scottish Opera, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Symphony and Chicago’s Grant Park Symphony. He has Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra of the Welsh appeared as soloist on many occasions with the Minnesota National Opera. For almost a decade he was a member of Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony, and other Midwestern Kokoro, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s contemporary orchestras, including the Chicago Philharmonic. Hanford music ensemble. In 2014 Cook left his fulltime position in the attended Northwestern University and is currently on the faculty Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to take up his appointment there as a violin instructor. He graduated with first prize from the at Lyric. He also appears regularly with the Chicago Symphony Orpheus Conservatory in Athens, Greece. For many summers Orchestra and as part of the CSO’s MusicNOW contemporary he was concertmaster and violin instructor at Wisconsin’s Birch music series. He is now a regular member of the Rembrandt Creek Music Festival. He has also performed and taught at the Chamber Musicians, and has also performed during the Winter Apollo, MidAmerica, Milwaukee, and Roycroft chamber music Chamber Music Series of Northwestern University, where he festivals. In addition to his professional career as a violinist, is a faculty member. Hanford has studied and performed on the theremin, one of the first electronic instruments. Robert Hanford is the Mrs. R. Robert Funderburg Concertmaster Endowed Chair.

LISA MIDDLETON Betsy Gugick & Associates You can view this program on your mobile Executive Editor Since 1991 Southwest | 972-387-1347 device at lyricopera.org/programs

Manzo Media Group ROGER PINES For advertising information call 847-770-4620. Gail McGrath East Coast 610-527-7047 Editor | To see our Terms and Conditions relating Publisher & President Tahira Merchant to advertising orders, visit our website at MAGDA KRANCE Sheldon Levin Graphic Designer performancemedia.us. All contents copyrighted. Associate Editor Publisher & Director Joy Morawez All rights reserved. Nothing may be of Finance Accounting reproduced in any manner without written Administrative Offices A. J. Levin Willie Smith permission. © 2019 20 North Wacker Drive Suite 860 Director of Operations Supervisor Operations Chicago, Illinois 60606 Performance Media & Gail McGrath & lyricopera.org Rand Brichta & Arnie Hoffman Earl Love & Wilfredo Silva Associates, Inc. is a Woman Owned Business. Account Managers Operations SAMETZ BLACKSTONE Michael Hedge Steve Dunn performancemedia.us | 847-770-4620 ASSOCIATES Southeast | 847-770-4643 Web & Internet Development 3453 Commercial Avenue, Northbrook, IL 60062 Visual Direction

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 7 This concert celebrates the tenure of eight departing Ryan Opera Center artists, who reflect on their experiences at Lyric.

KAYLEIGH DECKER ERIC FERRING Although it My time in the has only been Ryan Opera a year and a Center has half, my time been filled with as a member of the greatest the Ryan Opera challenges Center has been and largest one of the most triumphs of my demanding, life. I remember yet rewarding, it like it was

Todd Rosenberg Todd periods in my Rosenberg Todd yesterday: the life. I have been challenged in ways I never expected, and Final Auditions in September 2017. I was hoping and praying grown into an artist I never imagined. Through many hours of so hard backstage that I didn’t even hear my name called to observation and performance opportunities with the world’s join the 2018|19 Ensemble. With a hearty push from my dear greatest artists, I have garnered perspective on what it takes to mentor and friend, Julia Faulkner, I was thrust into the deep be a singer of integrity in the 21st century. Throughout my time end of a pool I wasn’t sure I could swim in. From singing small at Lyric, I have learned that there is neither a finished product roles, understudying large roles, or in the case of Ariodante nor is there an arrival point, and despite its elusiveness, this last season, taking over a principal role for the entire run, I is what makes live performance so magical. I have learned have been given monumental opportunities and inspiration, to trust and embrace this process. While I am a bit anxious as well as the gifts of lifelong friends, mentors, and memories. about leaving this nurturing environment, I am confident, with I am unbelievably thankful that the Ryan Opera Center took a the tools I have acquired here, that I can keep my eye on the chance on this Iowa boy and helped him turn into the man who horizon and keep striving for truth. Thank you from the bottom is not only ready, but excited to enter this scary yet exhilarating of my heart. career as an opera artist.

LAUREN DECKER CHRISTOPHER KENNEY I can hardly The Ryan Opera believe nearly Center has four years been one of the have come and most formative gone since I and beneficial joined the Ryan experiences in Opera Center my life as an family. To try to opera singer. quantify all that The lessons I’ve has happened learned and

Todd Rosenberg Todd since Dan Jaclyn Simpson the people I’ve Novak called to invite me to sing at the Final Auditions seems met have helped propel me into the highest ranks of the field – nearly impossible! I’ve traveled to places I never imagined and have given me a deep appreciation for detail, dedication, I’d go, have worked with the most incredibly talented and and artistry. Being able to work with master artists like Renée thoughtful artists – the list could go on for pages. But the Fleming and Patricia Racette has especially opened for me the lessons that lie beneath that illustrious list of experiences are unbounded artistic ideas that I have yet to explore. Whether what I will hold closest to my heart. Lessons of vulnerability singing on the main stage or elsewhere, like the Harris Theater in front of 3,000+ people a night. Lessons of grace in busy for Beyond the Aria, I have cherished my time in Chicago. I’m rehearsal rooms. Lessons of teamwork with the countless truly grateful to have been a part of an institution with such a people involved in any given rehearsal or show. Lessons of storied history as Lyric and the Ryan Opera Center. resilience and hard work. I hope to go out in the world and make known everything you’ve given me all around. Thank you.

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 8 EMILY POGORELC MARIO ROJAS When I reflect Like a kid back on my walking into time at the a candy shop, Ryan Opera I entered this Center, I think building, full of of the incredible dreams and with people with no idea how whom I have much my life met and would change worked. To be after that

Jaclyn Simpson able to observe Rosenberg Todd moment – and artists such as Alice Coote, Susan Graham, and Nina Stemme how much I would learn in my time at the Ryan Opera Center craft incredible performances is such a huge gift for a young and Lyric. To think that as a young artist I had the opportunity artist. It also was so rewarding to be able to hone my own to step in and sing Alfredo in La traviata on the main stage artistry with the guidance of guest teachers, such as Patricia where Simoneau, Kraus, Gedda, Araiza, Hadley, Sabbatini, Racette and Anne Sofie von Otter, and work on a daily basis Calleja, Polenzani, and Berrugi, to name a few, had sung the with our incredible mentors, Julia Faulkner and Craig Terry. role, to this day gives me chills. I have nothing but gratitude However, looking back, I know I will always cherish most the for every lesson learned, every performance sang, every role incredible relationships I have had with my colleagues. I have learned, and for letting me enter those historic backstage doors learned so much from each and every one of them and formed every single day! beautiful friendships to last a lifetime. The Ryan Opera Center is not only one of the best training programs in the world – to MADELINE SLETTEDAHL me, it will forever be my family. It is almost impossible to RICARDO JOSÉ RIVERA put into words My time in the the growth and Ryan Opera experience I Center has been have gained as full of many a musician over wonderful my three years experiences that as the pianist have helped for the Ryan

me grow and Rosenberg Todd Opera Center. further my skills Through my participation in this one-of-a-kind program, as an opera I’ve honed my skills as a vocal coach and gained significant

A. Cioffi singer and as experience working with many conductors as a répétiteur an individual. Ever since I was accepted into the program, the for several opera productions and performances. It’s been life lessons have never stopped. From voice lessons, coachings, a privilege to perform frequently with my talented singing and performing, to getting to meet and work with many colleagues both here in Chicago and abroad, developing both wonderful and talented artists from very diverse backgrounds, musically and interpersonally in a field that has so much to say I have experienced so much in these past two years. Not many about the human experience. I’ve also developed meaningful people are as fortunate to get to know the business in the way relationships with my sponsors and many other supporters of the Ryan Opera Center offers, and for that I am deeply grateful. both the Ryan Opera Center and of Lyric. I will never forget I will never forget what I have learned from the people that this time I’ve spent in Chicago, and for that, I’m immensely guide us in this program about discipline, perseverance, and grateful. dedication. I have loved being a member of the Ryan Opera Center family, and I cannot thank all of you enough for taking me in and believing in me and my talent.

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 9 THE PATRICK G. AND SHIRLEY W. LYRIC OPERA RYAN OPERA CENTER ORCHESTRA PROGRAM STAFF

Administration William C. Billingham Violin I Flute Trombone Dan Novak Alan Darling Robert Hanford, Marie Tachouet, Jeremy Moeller, Director, The Ryan Opera Laurann Gilley Concertmaster Principal Principal Center Board Endowed Chair Noah Lindquist The Mrs. R. Robert Dionne Jackson, Mark Fisher, Craig Terry Celeste Rue Funderburg Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Music Director Eric Weimer Endowed Chair Alyce Johnson Mark Fry+ The Jannotta Family Pedro Yanez Sharon Polifrone, Endowed Chair Coaching Staff Assistant Piccolo Bass Trombone Julia Faulkner Irina Feoktistova Concertmaster Alyce Johnson Mark Fry+ Director of Vocal Studies Julia Savoie Klein Alexander Belavsky Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation Derek Matson Kathleen Brauer Oboe Tuba Renée Fleming Klára Moldová Pauli Ewing Judith Kulb, Principal Andrew Smith, Advisor Sharon Peterson David Hildner Judith Zunamon Principal Emma Scherer Marina Vecci Laura Miller Lewis, Associate Alessandra Visconti Liba Shacht Assistant Principal Harp Wendy Skoczen Melissa Wittmeier Heather Wittels Anne Bach+ Marguerite Lynn Chief Librarian Foreign Language Bing Jing Yu Williams, Principal Instruction English Horn Faculty Dawn Arnold Violin II Judith Zunamon Timpani Julia Faulkner Katie Klein Yin Shen, Principal Lewis Edward Harrison, W. Stephen Smith Andrew Gordon Knox John Macfarlane, Principal Vocal Instruction Laurel Krabacher Assistant Principal Clarinet The Robert and Ellen Marks E. Loren Meeker Bonita Di Bello Charlene Percussion Vocal Studies Program Acting and Movement Diane Duraffourg- Zimmerman, Michael Green, Endowed Chair in honor Instruction Robinson Principal Principal of Gianna Rolandi Orit Carpenter Teresa Kay Fream Linda A. Baker, Douglas Waddell, Deborah Birnbaum Performance Psychology Peter Labella Co-Assistant Assistant Principal Alessandro Corbelli Roger Pines Ann Palen Principal Eric Millstein Sir Guest Lecturer and Consultant Irene Radetzky Susan Warner, Matthew A. Epstein John D. Robinson Co-Assistant Extra Musicians Renée Fleming Artistic/Production Personnel David Volfe Principal Injoo Choi, violin James Gaffigan Michael Christie Albert Wang Renée-Paule Gauthier, Susan Graham Ari Pelto Bass Clarinet violin Enrique Mazzola Conductors Viola Linda A. Baker Benton Wedge, viola Gerald Martin Moore Louisa Muller Carol Cook, Principal Sam Pedersen, viola Louisa Muller Patricia Racette Terri Van Bassoon Jeremy Attanaseo, Patricia Racette Directors Valkinburgh, Preman Tilson, bass Christian Van Horn Donald Claxon Assistant Principal Principal David Inmon, Anne Sofie von Otter Bill Walters Frank W. Babbitt Lewis Kirk, Assistant trumpet Guest Master Artists Stage Managers Patrick Brennan Principal Morgen Low, Nikolaj Sorensen Karl Davies Hanna Sterba+ trumpet Production Manager Amy Hess Reed Capshaw, Theresa Ham Melissa Trier Kirk Contrabassoon trumbone Wardrobe Lewis Kirk Chance Hueit, tuba Cello Lauren Hayes, harp Calum Cook, Horn Leslie Grimm, clarinet Principal Jonathan Boen, Andrea DiOrio, Paul Dwyer, Assistant Principal clarinet Principal Fritz Foss, Assistant Gene Collerd, bass Mark Brandfonbrener Principal/ Utility clarinet William H. Cernota Horn Laura Deming• Robert E. Johnson, Librarian Paula Kosower+ Third Horn John Rosenkrans, Sonia Mantell Samuel Hamzem Principal Walter Preucil Neil Kimel Personnel Manager Bass Trumpet and Stageband Ian Hallas, Principal William Denton, Contractor Andrew L. W. Principal Christine Janicki Anderson Channing Philbrick, Andrew J. Keller+ Assistant Principal + Season substitute Gregory Sarchet Mike Brozick+ • Sabbatical Collins R. Trier

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 10 Ryan Opera Center Board of Directors Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Joan Zajtchuk^ David S. Fox Nasrin Thierer Honorary Co-Chairs Vice President – Anthony Freud Cynthia Vahlkamp^ John Nitschke Strategic Planning Mira J. Frohnmayer Donna Van Eekeren President Juliana Chyu Melvin Gray Harriet Weinstein Julie Baskes* Vice President – Strategic Mary Ellen Hennessy Jack Weiss Vice President – At Large Planning Co-Chair Martha A. Hesse Janet Burch Salme Harju Steinberg Loretta Julian LIFE MEMBERS Vice President – At Large Treasurer Susan Kiphart* Katherine A. Abelson* Philip G. Lumpkin^ Chester T. Kamin Robert C. Marks Mrs. James W. Cozad Vice President – Fundraising Secretary Erma S. Medgyesy Bernard J. Dobroski Sally Feder Helen Melchior Mrs. Thomas D. Heath Vice President – Nicole M. Arnold Frank B. Modruson Jeanne Randall Malkin Fundraising Co-Chair Heidi Heutel Bohn Phyllis Neiman Keith A. Reed* Jane DiRenzo Pigott^ Tanja Chevalier Susan Noel Orli Staley Vice President – Nominating Lawrence O. Corry Gregory J. O’Leary William C. Vance* Debbie K. Wright Nancy Dehmlow^ Michael A. Oberman Mrs. J. W. Van Gorkom* Vice President – Allan Drebin* Ted Reichardt^ Howard A. Vaughan, Jr. Nominating Co-Chair Erika E. Erich Richard O. Ryan Mrs. Richard H. Wehman Jack Forsythe Richard W. Shepro * Former President ^ Team Chair Ryan Opera Center contributors Lyric is grateful to the following generous donors for their contributions in support of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, one of the world’s premier artist development programs.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE Mira Frohnmayer Paul and Robert Barker Benefactor to INSTRUCTION and Sandra Sweet Foundation Premier Benefactor Erma S. Medgyesy The Elizabeth Morse Charitable C. Bekerman, M.D. $5,000 to $9,999 Trust Allan Drebin Anonymous (4) GUEST MASTER ARTISTS Fred L. Drucker and Hon. Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Arensman Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation WFMT RECITAL SERIES Rhoda Sweeney Drucker Julie and Roger Baskes Julie and Roger Baskes Erika E. Erich Mr. and Mrs. Ron Beata LAUNCHPAD Mr. and Mrs. Jack Forsythe Nancy Dehmlow Sally and Michael Feder WORKSHOP David S. Fox Mrs. Sheila Dulin Mary and Lionel Go PERFORMANCES Mary Patricia Gannon Stephen and Mary Etherington Leslie Fund, Inc. Martha A. Hesse Sue and Melvin Gray Sally and Michael Feder Judith W. McCue and H. Earl Hoover Foundation The Blanny A. Haganah Howard M. McCue III GENERAL SUPPORT Illinois Arts Council Family Fund Aria Society Capt. Bernardo Iorgulescu, James and Mary Houston MASTER CLASSES $100,000 and above USMC Memorial Fund Julian Family Foundation Mrs. Thomas D. Heath Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Stephen A. Kaplan Patricia A. Kenney and Gregory Martha A. Hesse Dr. Katherine Knight J. O’Leary Platinum Grand Benefactor Jeanne Randall Malkin Family Philip G. Lumpkin NATIONAL AUDITIONS to Palladium Grand Foundation Frank B. Modruson and American Airlines Benefactor Jeffrey and Cynthia McCreary Lynne C. Shigley $50,000 to $99,999 Jean McLaren and Ted and Emilysue Pinnell RENÉE FLEMING MASTER CLASS Nix Lauridsen and Virginia John Nitschke Reichardt Mr. O. Thomas Thomas and Croskery Lauridsen Helen Melchior Burton X. and Sheli Rosenberg Mrs. Sandra Inara Thomas Lauter McDougal Charitable Fund Charles Morcom Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Sawyier The Elizabeth Morse Dr. Scholl Foundation RYAN OPERA CENTER Golden Grand Benefactor Charitable Trust Thierer Family Foundation GALA to Titanium Grand Benefactor Phyllis Neiman Ksenia A. and Peter Turula Lead Individual Sponsor $25,000 to $49,999 Margo and Michael Cynthia Vahlkamp and Richard O. Ryan The Cozad Family Oberman and Family Robert Kenyon Lead Corporate Sponsor Mary Ellen Hennessy Mrs. Vernon J. Pellouchoud Marilee and Richard Wehman Mayer Brown The Susan and Richard P. Kiphart D. Elizabeth Price Drs. Joan and Russ Zajtchuk Family Mrs. Robert E. Sargent Listings include contributors whose TRAINING PROGRAM Lyric Young Professionals The George L. Shields Foundation gifts of $5,000 and above were National Endowment for the Arts Ingrid Peters Michael and Salme Harju received by December 15, 2019. Walter Family Foundation Steinberg VOICE INSTRUCTION Mr. and Mrs. Henry Underwood Anonymous Donor Silver Grand Benefactor Donna Van Eekeren Foundation The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Robert and Isabelle Bass to Mercury Grand Benefactor Dan and Patty Walsh is partially supported by grants from: Foundation, Inc. $10,000 to $24,999 Harriet and Alan Weinstein Elizabeth F. Cheney Anonymous (2) Debbie K. Wright Foundation Estate of Walter (Fred) Bandi

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 11