CHICAGO (4/11/2023) — The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago will present its annual Rising Stars in Concert on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyric Opera House.
Rising Stars in Concert will feature the artists of the 2022/23 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble performing with members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra. The concert will be conducted by Roberto Kalb with stage direction by Crystal Manich, both in their Lyric debuts.
The program will showcase a wide variety of repertoire by Bartók, Gounod, Puccini, Rossini, Wagner, and more. The concert is a celebration of the Ensemble’s many accomplishments throughout their Ryan Opera Center tenures and a unique showcase performance for these soon-to-be world-renowned artists.
Audience members will enjoy performances by Ryan Opera Center sopranos Kathryn Henry, Lindsey Reynolds, and Denis Vélez; mezzo-soprano Katherine DeYoung; tenors Ryan Capozzo, Lunga Eric Hallam and Alejandro Luévanos; baritones Laureano Quant and Ian Rucker; and bass Wm. Clay Thompson. Ryan Opera Center conductor/pianist Donald Lee III will lead two selections, and Ryan Opera Center Stage Director Luther H. Lewis III and Stage Manager Tess Naval will be involved behind the scenes. Because of outside engagements, tenor Martin Luther Clark, bass Ron Dukes, and pianist Chris Reynolds will not appear in the concert.
2022/23 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members are making their marks on the Lyric stage in many productions this season, whether serving as understudies in major roles or performing supporting roles throughout an opera's run. This is particularly evident in the final two productions, Carmen and Proximity, with the entire Ensemble involved in one or both.
Martin Luther Clark, Katherine DeYoung, Lunga Eric Hallam, Denis Vélez, and Chris Reynolds will conclude their tenure with the Ryan Opera Center following the concert to pursue full-time careers nationally and internationally. Upcoming engagements for these soon-to-be alumni include Pittsburgh Opera, San Francisco Opera, Tulsa Opera, and Wolf Trap Opera.
The Ensemble members who will return to the program for 2023/24 include Kathryn Henry, Lindsey Reynolds, Ryan Capozzo, Alejandro Luévanos, Laureano Quant, Ian Rucker, Ron Dukes, Wm. Clay Thompson, Donald Lee III, Luther H. Lewis III, and Tess Naval.
Rising Stars in Concert is generously made possible by Lead Sponsor the Donna Van Eekeren Foundation with additional support from the Dr. Scholl Foundation, the Chauncey and Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation, Patricia A. Kenney & Gregory J. O’Leary, Philip G. Lumpkin, Dr. Nora Jaskowiak and Mr. Matthew Hinerfeld, and Mary Stowell.
Rising Stars in Concert is being recorded for broadcast on 98.7 WFMT and streaming on wfmt.com on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 5pm. The Rising Stars in Concert radio broadcast is generously made possible by the Donna Van Eekeren Foundation.
Current Lyric donors are invited to reserve two complimentary tickets to Rising Stars in Concert. If you would like to join in this extraordinary concert experience, become a donor with a gift of $50 or more at lyricopera.org/supportroc.
