CHICAGO (3/14/24) — The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago will present its annual Rising Stars in Concert on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyric Opera House.
Each year, the Ryan Opera Center selects a group of exceptional emerging artists from a pool of hundreds of global applicants. These artists undergo a rigorous residency, receiving top-tier training in various aspects of opera performance. Artists include singers, pianists, a conductor, stage director and stage manager. For opera enthusiasts, experiencing a Ryan Opera Center performance offers a glimpse into the future of opera, showcasing the talent and artistry of tomorrow's stars.
The upcoming Rising Stars in Concert brings together the artists of the 2023/24 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble and the Lyric Opera Orchestra, conducted by Stefano Sarzani and directed by Patricia Racette.
The program will feature a mix of classic pieces by Puccini, Verdi, Händel, and more. This concert serves as a celebration of the Ensemble's achievements and a chance to see these up-and-coming artists shine.
Audience members will enjoy performances by the following Ryan Opera Center members:
- sopranos Kathryn Henry and Lindsey Reynolds
- mezzo-sopranos Lucy Baker and Sophia Maekawa
- tenors Ryan Capozzo, Alejandro Luévanos, and Travon D. Walker
- baritones Laureano Quant and Ian Rucker
- bass-baritone Christopher Humbert, Jr.
- basses Ron Dukes and Wm. Clay Thompson.
Ryan Opera Center pianist Michael Banwarth will be performing a piece as part of the concert. The Ensemble conductor/pianist Donald Lee III will lead two selections, and Ryan Opera Center Stage Director Luther H. Lewis III will direct two selections. Additionally, Ensemble Stage Manager Tess Naval will be involved behind the scenes.
Members of the 2023/24 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble have played important roles at the Lyric this season, stepping in as understudies for lead roles and performing supporting roles in various operas including The Flying Dutchman, Jenůfa, and Cinderella.
Kathryn Henry, Lindsey Reynolds. Ryan Capozzo, Alejandro Luévanos, Laureano Quant, Ron Dukes, Wm. Clay Thompson, Donald Lee III, Luther H. Lewis III, and Tess Naval will conclude their tenures 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 Opera Philadelphia, Wolf Trap Opera, and Schauspielhaus Zürich.
The Ensemble members who will return to the program for 2024/25 include Lucy Baker, Sophia Maekawa, Travon D. Walker, Ian Rucker, Christopher Humbert, Jr., and Michael Banwarth.
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, Frank Modruson & Lynne Shigley, Patricia A. Kenney & Gregory J. O’Leary, Dr. Nora Jaskowiak and Mr. Matthew Hinerfeld, Ms. Gay K. Stanek, Philip G. Lumpkin, Phyllis Neiman and Ron & Margaret Beata.
Rising Stars in Concert is being recorded for broadcast on 98.7 WFMT and streaming on wfmt.com on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. The Rising Stars in Concert radio broadcast is generously made possible by the Donna Van Eekeren Foundation.
Tickets for Rising Stars in Concert are free and can be reserved at lyricopera.org/risingstars.
