Teresa Fream, violinMar 3, 20193 minWorking Without PayWhat do a furloughed TSA agent and a short, late-middle-aged opera violinist have in common? More than you might think. My family and I...
chicagolyricoperaoMar 2, 20191 minLyric Orchestra Alma MatersThe beautiful graphic above highlights some, but not all, of the colleges, universities, and conservatories Lyric Opera Orchestra members...
chicagolyricoperaoMar 1, 20191 minPet of the Month, Part II - The Epic of PerseusRemember this little nugget? Back in March of 2018 we featured bassist Ian Hallas' new kitten, Perseus. A lot can change in a year. Ian...
Melissa Trier Kirk, violaFeb 26, 20191 minNo Viola CrossingCarrying fragile instruments in and out of the orchestra pit is always challenging but librarian (and part time traffic cop) Wendy...
Laura Deming, celloFeb 22, 20191 minValentine VignetteA romantic story that has been passed down in my family is that my grandfather proposed to my grandmother during the 2nd intermission of...
chicagolyricoperaoFeb 20, 20191 minCongratulations to Our Grammy Winners!!Lewis Kirk (bassoon), Melissa Kirk (viola), Maestro Michael Christie, Kathleen Brauer (violin), Mark Brandfonbrener (cello), and Ryan...
chicagolyricoperaoFeb 18, 20191 minPolar Vortex vs. La BohemeThis is Chicago and we're fairly hardy people but when the polar vortex showed up January 30, we stayed home. At least for one day. The...
chicagolyricoperaoDec 30, 20181 minAnnual Cookie ExchangeThe annual ladies locker room cookie exchange. GIMMEGIMMEGIMME
chicagolyricoperaoDec 28, 20181 minIntroducing our Newest Orchestra Member!Cellists William Cernota, Laura Deming, Mark Brandfonbrener, Sonia Mantell, Walter Preucil, Calum Cook, and Paul Dwyer Meet our newest...
chicagolyricoperaoDec 26, 20181 minThoughtful Gifts from a SubscriberLyric Opera season subscriber Linda Spadlowski created these one-of-a-kind cards for each member of the orchestra! We are so touched by...
chicagolyricoperaoDec 24, 20181 minFarewell to Il TrovatoreFarewell Trovatore cast - you were amazing! Our final performance of Il Trovatore was also our last performance of 2018. We'll be back in...
Melissa Trier Kirk, violaDec 22, 20181 minMaking Seasons BrightMelissa Trier-Kirk, Frank Babbit, Karl Davies, and Lewis Kirk Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra members violist Melissa Trier Kirk,...
Terri Van Valkinburgh, Assistant Principal ViolaDec 20, 20181 minPet of the Month and Pizza Thief, DexterDexter's main philosophy: what's yours is mine. My boyfriend Kevin and I are staff to 3 cats but Dexter is the most carb-motivated. Not...
Paul Dwyer, assistant principal celloDec 18, 20184 minCimbass-WHO?Principal Trombone Jeremy Moeller holds a trombone and Principal Tuba Andy Smith holds a...wait, what is that?!!! Next time you’re at the...
chicagolyricoperaoDec 16, 20181 minA Drink for Meeting the LadiesSiegfried, the namesake for the third opera of Wagner’s 4-opera Ring Cycle, is a fearless (perhaps not the smartest) young man who...
Melissa Trier Kirk, violaDec 14, 20181 minGivingViolist Amy Hess with quartet members Kathleen Brauer, Bing Grant, and Mark Brandfonbrener at The Merion Making music together is a joy...
chicagolyricoperaoDec 12, 20181 minWhy I Love Opera... in 1 WordNeil Kimel, French Horn, decided he could sum up all that's great about opera in one amazing word. Take a look.
Kathleen Brauer, violin and Terri Van ValkinburghDec 10, 20182 minVisitors of the MonthRachael and Daisy on the podium Katie Brauer, Lyric Orchestra violinist and orchestra committee chair, connected with Rachael and her...
Laura Deming, celloDec 8, 20184 minCarl Grapentine, Radio LegendCarl Grapentine, long-time host of WFMT’s morning program, closed his farewell broadcast July 27, 2018, with opera — the intensely moving...
chicagolyricoperaoDec 6, 20181 minThank you to the members of the Lyric Opera staffThe Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra is thankful for… THE MEMBERS OF THE LYRIC OPERA STAFF It has come to our attention that we have...
