An Inside Look at The Patrick G. and Shirley Ryan Opera Center

Final Auditions

Before Lyric’s 2017/18 season opened, The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center hosted its Final Auditions on September 9th, when 14 of the world’s best up-and-coming singers vied for a first-year spot in the 2018/19 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble. These 14 singers were chosen out of 400+ qualified candidates during an eight-month audition process, ultimately resulting in an invitation to sing on Lyric’s stage.

For four of these singers, their performance that day earned them a place in one of the world’s finest emerging artist programs. Starting in April 2018, they will join returning Ensemble members in receiving premier instruction in voice, language, acting, and movement; participating in master classes and coachings with opera’s leading artists; and having performance opportunities throughout Chicagoland.

Alumni on the Main Stage

One of their most influential and career-defining experiences will be singing in Lyric mainstage performances alongside today’s greatest opera stars. Some of those stars are distinguished alumni of Lyric’s artist-development program. During the 2017/18 season, audiences will see Ryan Opera Center alumni perform leading roles in Orphée et Eurydice, Rigoletto, Turandot, I Puritani, and Faust.

Ryan Opera Center alumnus and pianist Mario Antonio Marra was also a part of this season on the music staff for Verdi’s Rigoletto. Mario assisted Rigoletto conductor Marco Armiliato, took rehearsal notes, coached artists, and played piano during rehearsals. All of this took place almost immediately following his engagement as an assistant conductor at San Francisco Opera for Strauss’s Elektra. Speaking about his time in the program, Mario reflected:

“The opportunities I received from The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center have been invaluable to my development as an artist. I am so thankful to the staff, mentors, and fellow artists who have given me the skills to move on and take the music world by storm! And, of course, I would like to thank the donors who support this incredible program. To play under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis, to sit in on rehearsals led by the likes of Sir David McVicar, to be given the opportunity to coach the Ryan Opera Center singers and guest artists coming through the opera house—these are the greatest gifts of this program. The Chicago opera community is a vibrant and caring one; I am honored to be a part of the important work here.”

Thank You

Ryan Opera Center donors make it possible for extraordinary experiences to be provided to the Ensemble. We are so grateful to them for their investment in the careers of these emerging artists, and in the preservation of opera as an art form.

For more information about the Ryan Opera Center, sponsorship opportunities, events, and activities, please visit our Ryan Opera Center page or call 312.827.5691.