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 worried about our maestro and our audience that night – we were enthusiastically welcomed and supported.
Maestro Domingo Hindoyan entered the pit smiling broadly, immediately gesturing for the orchestra to stand. And when we did, our wonderful audience erupted into applause, cheers, whoops and whistles for what seemed like a very long time. What a thrill!
So, we decided that during the final bows, when Maestro Hindoyan acknowledged us from the stage, we would send the love right back at our audience. It was an amazing outpouring.
Our hope was always that you, our readers, patrons, and opera-lovers would know that we took a stand for the love of music, opera, and the future of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. We will continue to work … to save the Lyric Opera of Chicago as the strong, vibrant cultural icon our audiences want and deserve. You showed us your support that night and it means the world to us – thank you!