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Congratulations to Preman and Ian
When you already have a job in an orchestra, the absolute hardest thing to do is to audition for another position in that orchestra. As...
chicagolyricoperao
Mar 20, 20181 min read
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Three Operas, Three Maestros
The hallmark of any self-respecting opera orchestra is flexibility: one must change musical styles at the drop of a hat and adapt to...
chicagolyricoperao
Mar 16, 201810 min read
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It's Party Time
Each season, Sir Andrew throws a mid-winter party for the orchestra and music staff to celebrate our collaboration. It’s a chance to...
chicagolyricoperao
Mar 10, 20182 min read
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An Ounce of Prevention
A wise person once said, "Use it or lose it." But what do you do to avoid 'over-using' it, or using it to the point of injury? A good...
Terri Van Valkinburgh, Assistant Principal Viola
Mar 6, 20184 min read
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December Giving in Cuba
Visiting Cuba has always held a special fascination for me, with its fusion of Afro-Cuban and Spanish music, dance, art, not to mention...
Judi Lewis, Oboe
Mar 2, 20184 min read
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Pet of the Month
Meet Tootsie Stardust Lewis, a feisty Siberian Forest Cat. Weighing in at a fierce 5.2 pounds, she enjoys a sophisticated palate that...
chicagolyricoperao
Feb 27, 20181 min read
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The Giving Continues!
At the busiest, most stressful time of the year, we presented the idea of organizing a "Giving December." We were blown away at the...
chicagolyricoperao
Feb 23, 20181 min read
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The Show Must Go On
With less than a week to go before opening Bellini’s I Puritani, members of the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra looked on their Facebook...
chicagolyricoperao
Feb 16, 20182 min read
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Pressing the Point - Massage as Therapy
Most of us with full-time, professional playing careers depend upon help of some sort to keep us going. Physical therapy, acupuncture,...
Teresa Fream, violin
Nov 28, 20173 min read
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The (Valk)Cure for What Ails You
On opening night of Die Walküre, Nov. 1, the downbeat came at 5:30 and the last note floated out at 10:30. To celebrate our 5-hour romp...
Terri Van Valkinburgh, Assistant Principal Viola
Nov 21, 20172 min read
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What the heck is that? Your guide to the Wagner pit
David Becker on contrabass trombone The Wagnertuben, instruments created just for the operas of the Ring Cycle, played by Stephanie...
chicagolyricoperao
Nov 18, 20171 min read
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Pet(s) of the Month: Halloween Edition!
What is Halloween if not a golden opportunity to humiliate our furry friends with costumes? We can't help but notice that the dog looks...
chicagolyricoperao
Nov 16, 20171 min read
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Trial by Fire Music
Reprinted with permission of Harp Column magazine (www.harpcolumn.com) © 2017 Harp Column Opera jobs are not for the faint of heart...
Marguerite Lynn Williams, principal harp
Nov 15, 20174 min read
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Remembering Maja
Maja Cus Vukovic July 7, 1921 - April 19, 2017 Violinist Maja Vukovic performed with the Lyric Opera Orchestra for 41 years and the Grant...
Melissa Trier Kirk, viola
Oct 23, 20173 min read
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Celebrations!
Here are some of the joyous events in the lives of the members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra! In August, our Principal Harp Lynn Williams...
chicagolyricoperao
Oct 16, 20171 min read
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Opening Night 2017
Every year, audience members dress to the nines for the Opening Night Gala! Left: Ballet Mistress August Tye and Bass Wilbur Pauley...
chicagolyricoperao
Oct 9, 20171 min read
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Welcome to the End of the Season (your doctor is calling...)
On March 14, in the early afternoon, it finally stopped snowing. I had about 8 inches of the wet, heavy stuff covering my driveway and...
chicagolyricoperao
Apr 27, 20173 min read
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Thank You to Some Special People
Thank You Sir Andrew! The season would not be complete without music director Sir Andrew Davis’s party for the orchestra held annually at...
chicagolyricoperao
Apr 20, 20173 min read
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Showing Yer Buns For Easter
Here at the newsletter, we thought it might be good to shake things up in the Pet of the Month department. We've had lots of dogs and...
Terri VanValkinburgh, viola
Apr 13, 20171 min read
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Golden Retrievers: The Cure for Everything (Or Lyric Opera's Dogs-at-Work Program)
There are so many weighty subjects covered in opera - love, death, how much house you can get in exchange for your sister-in-law...
chicagolyricoperao
Mar 15, 20171 min read
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