Talk:Lyric Opera of Chicago

Story behind the design
Can we put in the part about how the architect for the Opera House built it like a chair with its back to New York either because (a) he'd been turned down in New York, or (b) his daughter, an aspiring opera singer, had been turned down in New York. I'm not sure of the origin of the story, or even which one is correct or even if it's a true story, but maybe someone else out there does? 67.162.126.159 01:16, 23 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Doesn't seem to hold any value for me; it's just fluff, regardless of whether it can be authenticated or not. WHO THE HELL CARES???? This is an encylopedia of FACT, not trivial nonsense.


 * Vivaverdi 02:35, 23 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Wow, it was a simple question, no need to get an attitude about it. Excuse me for asking a question.  67.162.126.159 04:22, 23 July 2006 (UTC)


 * For the record, this is one of the standard stories on all of the tours of Chicago. "Insull's Throne," the building was nicknamed when it was built.  The reference is to Insull, Samuel, who was not the architect but the benefactor who funded the thing (he was a utility magnate).  The story apparently is that Insull's wife was shunned by _Chicago_ society, and therefore Insull wanted the building to turn its back on Chicago.  However, this story was always an unsubstantiated rumor.  The truth, however, is that the building is shaped like an armchair because it's an opera house surrounded by an office building.  Insull's novel idea was that if the opera house were able to rent out the office space to various businesses, it could be self-supporting.  Nice idea, but he got the idea in 1929.  By the time the building was finished, the Depression had hit, office space couldn't be rented for love or money, and the original opera company folded in short order.  The opera is the "seat" of the armchair, while the back and arms are the offices.  Because the lot abuts the river, the westward orientation of Insull's Throne was the only practical choice.


 * YES, this should be added in some way to the article. The parts that are FACTS should be stated as facts.  Those that are only known as unsubstantiated stories should be stated as so.  --Kalmia 12:10, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

'The'
A short explanation: As per both the program book, and my experience as an employee, the definite article ("the") is not used when referring to the company. "Welcome to the 52nd season of Lyric Opera of Chicago!", "In his 7th season as Lyric's music director, Sir Andrew Davis. . . ." You get the idea.

Musical directors
Who have the musical directors or house conductors been? This information is provided in the article for other opera companies, such as San Francisco or the Metropolitan Opera.Dogru144 (talk) 18:39, 23 January 2010 (UTC)

External links modified
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External links modified
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Later administrations

 * Sir Andrew Davis served as Lyric's music director and principal conductor from September 2000 to June 2021 Heled three complete cycles of Der Ring des Nibelungen in the 2004/05 season to mark the company's 50th anniversary. After retiring at the end of the 2020/21 season, Davis passed the baton to Enrique Mazzola, Lyric Opera's current music director and principal conductor. .:
 * It currently refers to Sir Andrew Davis in the present tense, and he is no longer the musical director:

73.110.150.23 (talk) 20:06, 4 April 2022 (UTC)


 * Yellow check.svg Partly done: Took care of this, except for Der Ring des Nibelungen, as this was not in the source provided. PK650 (talk) 10:38, 5 April 2022 (UTC)

Later administrations

 * Anthony Freud took over in October 2011. During the 2021/22 season, Freud's tenure was extended through 2026.:
 * To note the extension of Anthony Freud's contract.:

73.110.150.23 (talk) 20:12, 4 April 2022 (UTC)


 * Yes check.svg Done PK650 (talk) 10:40, 5 April 2022 (UTC)

Later Administrations

 * Sir Andrew Davis served as Lyric's music director and principal conductor from September 2000 to June 2021. He led three complete cycles of Der Ring des Nibelungen in the 2004/05 season to mark the company's 50th anniversary. After retiring at the end of the 2020/21 season, Davis passed the baton to Enrique Mazzola, Lyric Opera's current music director and principal conductor.:
 * 'To add the Der Ring des Nibelungen information back to the page. As well as clarify Sir Andrew Davis' retirement and that Enrique Mazzola has taken over the role. The current copy is unclear, saying Davis has occupied the post since 2000, when it should be past tense. .:

73.110.150.23 (talk) 20:47, 5 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Pictogram voting wait.svg Yellow check.svg Already partly done: neither source supports "He led three complete cycles ...", but the rest is already there.

Later Administrations

 * In September 2020, Lyric announced the election of Sylvia Neil as chair of Lyric’s Board of Directors, the first woman board chair in Lyric’s history. :
 * To reflect the election of Sylvia Neil as Board Chair.:

73.110.150.23 (talk) 20:23, 11 April 2022 (UTC)


 * Pictogram voting wait.svg Already done  &#x2130; mi1y&#x29fc;T&middot;C&#x29fd; 00:36, 16 November 2022 (UTC)