Frank W. Babbitt

Frank Babbitt was appointed to the Lyric Opera Orchestra by Maestro Bruno Bartoletti in 1996. His first services with the orchestra were two years before when Lyric began its Ring cycle with Zubin Mehta in January of 1993. Mr. Babbitt received his BA in Music and Drama from Lawrence University and an MM in Violin Performance from SUNY Stony Brook. He has served on the music faculty at the Merit School, Lawrence University, Loyola University and the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University.

As a chamber musician, he has appeared with the "Music Now" series at Symphony Center, the Ravinia Festival and recently made his "Rush Hour" debut at St. James Cathedral.

Reflecting on his long association with Lyric Opera he said this, "my first opera season was the last season of a retiring colleague who had played with the orchestra from its earliest days. He told me stories about hearing Callas, Tebaldi and all the legendary artists that helped put Lyric on the operatic map. I feel honored and privileged to help carry forward this rich tradition of artistic excellence with my orchestra colleagues under the direction of Maestro Mazzola. I've played under three music directors and three general directors and that commitment has never wavered."