CHICAGO (9/10/24) — The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago, recognized globally as one of the leading artist-development programs for emerging operatic talent, has announced the selection of 11 singers for its 2025/26 Ensemble following Final Auditions held on September 8. The new members of the Ensemble include mezzo-sopranos Alexis Peart and Camille Robles, baritone Sihao Hu, and bass-baritone Benjamin R. Sokol. They will join seven returning Ensemble members: sopranos Adia Evans and Emily Richter, tenors Daniel Espinal and Travon D. Walker, and baritones/bass-baritones Sankara Harouna, Christopher Humbert, Jr., and Finn Sagal.
The rigorous selection process began last winter with over 600 applicants submitting audition recordings. After an extensive review, a select group was invited to live preliminary auditions throughout the spring and summer, culminating in the Final Auditions. These auditions were attended by hundreds of guests, who also had the opportunity to vote for the Audience Favorite Award. This year, the award and a $500 cash prize went to mezzo-soprano Alexis Peart.
LaRob K. Rafael, program host at 98.7WFMT, served as master of ceremonies for the event, which also featured a special performance by tenor Martin Luther Clark, a Ryan Opera Center alumnus. The judging panel included Lyric's Incoming General Director, President & CEO John Mangum, Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Chief Artistic Administration Officer Matthew Ozawa, Vice President of Artistic Planning Andreas Melinat, Director of Artistic Programs Cory Lippiello, and Chorus Director and Head of Music Michael Black. They were joined by Ryan Opera Center Vice President and Director Dan Novak, Music Director Craig Terry, and Director of Vocal Studies Julia Faulkner.
The newly selected Ensemble members will begin their tenure in May 2025, receiving advanced training in various aspects of operatic performance, including voice lessons, language classes, movement and acting instruction, and master classes with some of opera’s most esteemed artists. They will also participate in Lyric’s mainstage season, performing and understudying a range of roles, and perform in Ryan Opera Center concerts and recitals across the Chicago area.
Departing the Ryan Opera Center at the conclusion of the 2024/25 Season are soprano Gemma Nha, mezzo-sopranos Lucy Baker and Sophia Maekawa, and baritone Ian Rucker.
Singers Selected for the 2025/26 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble
SOPRANOS
Adia Evans (Baltimore, Maryland)
Emily Richter (Arlington, Virginia)
MEZZO-SOPRANOS
Alexis Peart (Titusville, New Jersey)
Camille Robles (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
TENORS
Daniel Espinal (Sarasota, Florida)
Travon D. Walker (Hinesville, Georgia)
BARITONES/BASS-BARITONES
Sankara Harouna (Chicago, Illinois)
Sihao Hu (Shenzhen, China)
Christopher Humbert, Jr. (Akron, Ohio)
Finn Sagal (La Cañada Flintridge, California)
Benjamin R. Sokol (Westbury, New York)
Ryan Opera Center Final Auditions are generously made possible by Philip G. Lumpkin.
Finalists' airfares are generously provided by American Airlines as the Official Airline of the Ryan Opera Center National Auditions.
