Arnold and Marina Tatar: Creating a Lasting Legacy at the Lyric Opera House

Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Tatar have been residents of Chicago for over 50 years. The couple are passionate patrons of the arts and have had a profound impact on their community.

Marina came to Chicago from Paris, having spent the first 12 years of her life in Europe. Her father was invited to join the mathematics faculty of the University of Chicago, where he became a world leader in mathematics education. Marina’s education was at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and then the College. Arnie was born and raised in the south side neighborhood of Englewood. He enjoyed his undergraduate years at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, and received his MD from University of Illinois with high honors.

Arnold and Marina Tatar

Marina and Arnie were both exposed to opera at young ages. Arnie recollects two experiences from his childhood that solidified his love of opera. At 10 he discovered a treasure trove of legendary Italian tenor Enrico Caruso records in the basement. “I had no idea that the sound of the human voice could be so powerful and astonishingly beautiful,” Arnie said in response to hearing Caruso’s voice. He still has a digital re-mastering of those recordings in his collection. Two years later, he convinced his mother to take him to his first live opera, Carmen.

Marina was introduced to Lyric by its legendary press agent for over 42 years, Danny Newman, who was a close family friend. Danny was on Carol Fox’s founding team and gained international recognition through his pioneering subscription model that revolutionized ticket sales in performing arts organizations. His book Subscribe Now! is currently a textbook in all leading arts management programs around the world. Marina still remembers how his voice echoed in the opera house on the many occasions she was invited to attend Lyric dress rehearsals; she was captivated by the incredible talent she watched on the Lyric stage.

Marina and Arnie married just after she graduated. Marina became the College Counselor at Adlai Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, after teaching for a few years and earning a master’s degree. Marina speaks very highly of her time working with students and helping guide them to a successful future. She felt that she had the “best job in the world.”

After medical school, Arnie returned to the very hospital where he was born, Michael Reese Hospital. Over the course of his long career he became “Best Intern,” Chief Medical Resident, Director of Intensive Care, Vice-Chairman of Medicine, President of Medical Staff, and Hospital Trustee. When Michael Reese closed, Dr. Tatar was welcomed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Feinberg School of Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine in 1990. He founded the Loop Internal Medicine practice with five other internists. In all, he devoted 50 years to caring for several generations of Chicagoans and won numerous “Best Doctor” awards from Chicago Magazine and is listed in Marquis Who’s Who in the World.

It is not uncommon for Dr. and Mrs. Tatar to be stopped on the streets of Chicago, recognized by former students and patients thankful for the couple’s contribution to their lives. Mrs. Tatar’s students thank her for the success they have found as a result of her guidance. Dr. Tatar’s former patients, some of whom he treated for more than 50 years, thank him for his incredible patient care. Marina humbly proclaims, “We had great work in our lives.” In 2011, the City of Chicago honored him for his contributions to the healthcare of its citizens and the education of generations of its future doctors by naming the street leading to the site of Michael Reese Hospital “Honorary Arnold M Tatar, M.D. Way.” Dr. Tatar’s legacy will forever be remembered and recognized. Marina articulated the significance of that moment perfectly: “You are now immortal, because that sign will be there forever.”

Marina and Arnold Tatar with grandson, Ethan.

Dr. and Mrs. Tatar recently extended their legacy in Chicago by naming their seats in the Ardis Krainik Theatre. The two paint a beautiful picture of the significance named seats have for the future of opera: “These seats are a tangible symbol of our long and continuing commitment to Lyric. We are excited about being able to support our great opera company. It is our way of paying back for all the ways Lyric has enriched our lives and the lives of people in Chicago.”