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Thanks from the Picket Line

We were overwhelmed by the support we experienced on the picket line, from subscribers and patrons, members of our own union and other...

Thank You from the Pit

Our return to the pit on October 17 for our first post-strike opera, La Boheme, was an emotional time for all of us. But we needn’t have...

The Orchestra Strike Captured in Photos

Emmy Award-Winning Photojournalist Del Hall documented the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra strike with his hallmark stunning photography....

Please Come to the Opera

Dear friends, The Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra went back to work today, rehearsing the beautiful music we love to perform. We are...

Labor Rally for the Lyric Opera Orchestra

Yesterday afternoon the Chicago Federation of Musicians (AFM Local 10-208) hosted a Labor Rally for the Lyric Opera Orchestra at Daley...

Strike Day One Recap

At 10am on Tuesday, October 9, the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra members hit the streets for Day One of our strike. Lyric musicians on...

Why We're on Strike

Why are the Musicians of the Lyric Opera Orchestra on strike? Because a world-class opera company needs a world-class orchestra. That...

We are the Labor in Labor Day

Do you get told regularly how lucky you are to have the job you have? I do. Don’t get me wrong, I do feel fortunate…because anyone who...

Reaching Out

Cathy Dunn, Mike Cavalieri, and Bill Cernota perform at the Merion This summer, musicians from the orchestra and chorus of Lyric Opera of...

Why I Love Opera in 10 Words or Less

This month, Assistant Principal Cello Paul Dwyer tells us how he feels about opera... Look for another musician testimonial next issue!

Pet of the Month: George Forman!

We added a golden retriever puppy to our household this July...meet George Forman! His favorite activities include eating gross things...

Familiarity Breeds... Expertise

“Without the singers there is no opera...You also have to have a great orchestra and great conductor…Here, we have the same pool of...

Dallas Calling!

In late May I had another one of those "now we need you, now we don't " moments. On the Monday of the final week of Jesus Christ...

"Operating" is a Specialty

Most if not all of us in the Lyric Opera Orchestra went to a music school or conservatory, learning to play in a variety of ensembles....

Did you know?

The WFMT broadcasts were also an initiative from the orchestra. They began in 1972, when Ardash Marderosian, Lyric’s Principal Trombone...

Pet of the Month: Ferguson!

Ferguson is a twelve-year-old Bichon Frisé. My girlfriend, Sara, got him as a puppy, and they’re virtually inseparable. Even though I’ve...

Make Music Chicago!

Brass quintet performing in the lobby of the Prudential Center: Bill Denton and Channing Philbrick, trumpets; Neil Kimel, horn; Jeremy...

Looking Back, with Gratitude

James Berkenstock was Principal Bassoon of the Lyric Opera Orchestra from 1968 until he retired in 2017. He served on the orchestra...

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