Lyric’s Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is proud to present Magical Music Around the World, the Ryan Opera Center’s Sixth Annual Gala, a delightfully entertaining, cabaret-style program featuring some of your favorite spellbinding melodies. The 2020/21 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble will lead viewers through a magical evening of operatic and popular music, hosted by Ryan Opera Center Music Director, Craig Terry. Ryan Opera Center alumni from around the globe will also join the evening to share how their careers have benefited from the extensive training and experience they received at Lyric’s premier artist-development program.
- A showcase of Ryan Opera Center talent: Lyric’s virtual season has been ideal for getting to know Lyric’s Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Ensemble, who have been a part of nearly every program this season—and Magical Music Around the World will continue the exploration of their considerable artistry. The featured Ensemble artists will be sopranos Maria Novella Malfatti and Denis Vélez; mezzo-sopranos Katherine Beck, Katherine DeYoung, and Kathleen Felty; tenors Martin Luther Clark and Lunga Eric Hallam; baritones Leroy Davis and Ricardo José Rivera; bass-baritone David Weigel; bass Anthony Reed; and pianist Chris Reynolds.
- Hosted and accompanied by Craig Terry: The Gala repertoire has been programmed by Grammy Award® winner and Ryan Opera Center Music Director, Craig Terry, who will also serve as the host and principal pianist.
- An enchanted Lyric evening: The magic of music, boosted by the magic of technology, will engage audiences around the world. The repertoire for the Ryan Opera Center Gala encompasses cleverly paired operatic repertoire and show tunes, such as "Un soave non so che" from Rossini's La Cenerentola followed immediately by "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" from Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella.
- Blasts from the past: Ryan Opera Center alumni from around the globe will pop in with greetings and insights about the benefits of their years in the program. You’ll hear from René Barbera (2009-12), Harolyn Blackwell (1982-83), J’Nai Bridges (2012-15), Nicole Cabell (2002-05), Sam Handley (2008-11), Quinn Kelsey (2003-06), Mingjie Lei (2015-17), Will Liverman (2012-15), Amanda Majeski (2009-11), Mario Antonio Marra (2015-17), Takaoki Onishi (2015-18), Matthew Polenzani (1995-97), and Christian Van Horn (2004-06).
- Supporting artist development: For the past six years, the Gala has been an important fundraiser for the Ryan Opera Center. Proceeds support current and future Ensembles, coachings and lessons with the program’s world-renowned staff, and unparalleled opportunities to equip artists with the tools they need to succeed within and beyond their time at Lyric.
- Available to the general public for the first time: Sponsors and donors of the Ryan Opera Center Gala will be able to view the program the night before the general public. This year is the first and likely only time that this intimate Gala event will be accessible to everyone, without charge and capacity limitations.
- From the stage to the screen: In an unprecedented season without mainstage productions, Lyric is presenting an ongoing selection of digital programming and virtual concerts.
- One-time virtual premiere: March 21, 2021, at 6:00 pm CT on Lyric’s Facebook and YouTube channels. The concert will also remain available to stream after the premiere.
- 80 minutes, including musical selections and spoken introductions.
- Sung in various languages with English closed captions.
For more information, visit lyricopera.org/rocmagic or call 312-827-5600.
About Lyric
Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to redefining what it means to experience great opera. The company is driven to deliver consistently excellent artistry through innovative, relevant, celebratory programming that engages and energizes new and traditional audiences.
Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO Anthony Freud, Music Director Sir Andrew Davis, Music Director Designate Enrique Mazzola, and Special Projects Advisor Renée Fleming, Lyric is dedicated to reflecting, and drawing strength from, the diversity of Chicago. Lyric offers, through innovation, collaboration, and evolving learning opportunities, ever-more exciting, accessible, and thought-provoking audience and community experiences. We also stand committed to training the artists of the future, through The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center; and to becoming increasingly diverse across our audiences, staff, programming, and artists—magnifying the welcoming pull of our art form, our company, and our city.
Through the timeless power of voice, the splendor of a great orchestra and chorus, theater, dance, design, and truly magnificent stagecraft, Lyric is devoted to immersing audiences in worlds both familiar and unexpected, creating shared experiences that resonate long after the curtain comes down.
Join us @LyricOpera on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. #Lyric2021 #LongLivePassion
For more information, visit lyricopera.org.
About the Ryan Opera Center
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is Lyric's preeminent artist-development program that nurtures the talents of some of the most promising operatic singers and pianists of each generation. The program’s Ensemble members earn their coveted spot by successfully auditioning among more than 400 artists worldwide. Its alumni are among the dominant names in opera today. Donor generosity ensures continued unparalleled training, performance experience, and professional readiness of Ensemble members. This highly competitive program, established in 1974, is honored to enjoy the support of acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming as Advisor, along with full-time staff Director Dan Novak, Music Director Craig Terry, and Director of Vocal Studies Julia Faulkner.
For more information, visit lyricopera.org/ryanoperacenter.
Photo: Kyle Flubacker