On October 3, 2023, the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra lost a cherished colleague, former Principal Flute, Jean Berkenstock. Jean served...

By Melissa Trier Kirk The summer found some of our orchestra members scattered around the globe performing and teaching while others...

By Neil Kimel Within his complex operas, Wagner assigns characters and certain thematic elements musical "leitmotifs". These themes alert...

by Rebecca Oliverio One of our more recently appointed members of the orchestra is Assistant Concertmaster Emily Nebel. This role is...

by Neil Kimel After our beloved Judith Kulb retired at the end of last season, Paul Lueders was asked to play the important position of...

by Melissa Trier Kirk This February, the Lyric Opera Orchestra lost a cherished colleague, violist Frank Babbitt, who passed away after a...

Susan Warner, Acting Principal Clarinet, and Ian Hallas, Principal Bass, demonstrating their instruments for the group Neil Kimel, horn...

Olivia as Gretel, StaatsoperHamburg, Germany 2022 Soprano Olivia Boen, daughter of Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra violinist Laura Miller...

When I was in music school in New York City, some friends and I played most weekends on the streets of Manhattan for spare change (and...

If you are looking for the perfect gift for that special someone who loves music and baking, look no further! Created by mezzo-soprano...

An accordion in the Lyric Opera Orchestra is a rare occurrence. We’ve been fortunate to have consummate accordionist Ronnie Kuller with...

I recently had a chance to sit down with Lyric Opera Principal Bassist, Ian Hallas to discuss his recent success in winning the Principal...

The strangest gig I ever played was for a music video while I was living in Los Angeles. Let me elaborate... Back in early February of...

Principal Horn and teacher at Northwestern University Jonathan Boen, and former Principal Horn Gail Williams, attended the Northwestern...

For many professional orchestral musicians, teaching in their primary cities is a normal part of their career choice. However, fewer...

For cellist Walter Preucil, teaching is an essential part of life. He has taught privately in his Schaumburg home since he joined the...

Rebecca with Principal Trumpet Bill Denton Lyric’s 2022-23 season is full of well-known and beloved operas: Hansel and Gretel, Le Comte...

Daisy and Frisk In July 2021, Frisk lost Maizie, his beloved canine companion of many years. After a few months of grieving, we started...

When not performing at Lyric or Grant Park, violist Amy Hess can be found teaching students within her private studio and is also on...

Violinist Heather Wittels joined the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra in 2009. She keeps a busy solo recital and chamber music presence in...