Renée Fleming Previews The Set Of "Bel Canto" For LOC

Soprano Renée Fleming was the inspiration for
Ann Patchett's diva in her novel Bel Canto.

"In this interview with Chicago Tonight's Eddie Arruza, Renée Fleming visits the set of Bel Canto, a new opera by composer Jimmy López and librettist Nilo Cruz, that she has curated for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and which will be premiered on December 7, 2015." Watch the video interview, the LOC announcing the world premiere of the opera, and a behind-the-scenes photo, after the jump. "Ann Patchett's best-selling novel Bel Canto took the literary world by storm — now, in a new work curated by Lyric's creative consultant, Renée Fleming, this riveting story inspired by a real-life event becomes a powerful opera. Superstar American diva Roxane Coss has flown to Peru to sing at the vice president's home for a visiting Japanese mogul who is an opera buff. Dignitaries of every nationality are there — but an international crisis explodes when terrorists storm the mansion and take everyone hostage. Isolated for months, unlikely alliances form between captors and captives as fear and anger mingle uneasily with desire and even love. Music is the one universal language — but can it draw forth the humanity that exists in us all? An extraordinary international cast is led by Danielle de Niese, who caused a sensation as Lyric's Cleopatra in 2007. Sir Andrew Davis teams up with Kevin Newbury (Anna Bolena) for this world premiere with a libretto by Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz and music by Jimmy López, a native of Peru and 'one of the most interesting young composers anywhere today.' Chicago Sun-Times" [Source] For more information about the opera, click here.

The Team Behind Bel Canto: (back row left to right) LOC General Director Anthony Freud; Curator, Creative Consultant, and Soprano Renée Fleming; Conductor Sir Andrew Davis; (front row left to right) Director Kevin Newbury; Composer Jimmy López

Kenneth Pigott, Lyric Opera Of Chicago President And CEO, Has Died

Kenneth G. Pigott is seen in the upper right with 
singers Renée Fleming and Anna Netrebko, as well
 as Anthony Freud and Sir Andrew Davis of the LOC 
(Photo: Todd Rosenberg)

"Kenneth G. Pigott, Lyric Opera of Chicago's president and CEO, died Friday afternoon, according to a statement from Lyric opera. A cause of death and other details were not immediately available. Pigott was a member of the Lyric Opera's board of directors for 13 years before becoming president and CEO in 2011, according to the statement. 'We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn and to share the news of the death of Ken Pigott, president and CEO of Lyric Opera. In the few hours since his passing, we have only begun to grasp the depth and breadth of this unimaginable loss,' Anthony Freud, Lyric Opera's general director, said in the statement. 'Ken was a truly unique man. He was a visionary whose wisdom and passion transformed the lives of everyone at Lyric, and at the many organizations with which he was associated. He is irreplaceable.' The statement said Pigott was 'instrumental' in discussions leading to Renee Fleming's appointment as the company's creative consultant in 2010 and led the search for the company's general director in 2011." [Source] Watch a recent video of the Lyric Opera of Chicago that gives an insider view of the tight community, and Renée Fleming invites you to the new season, after the jump.

LOC Rehires Development Officer to Aid Fleming Initiative

Mr. Jabin: Gladly accepting
your financial donation.

"Christopher Jabin has been appointed Lyric Opera of Chicago’s director of institutional giving. 'We are very pleased to welcome Chris Jabin back to Lyric in this important capacity. His experience and knowledge in the development field will be key as we raise additional funds to implement new initiatives and programs,' said Mary L. Selander, director of development. Starting in the new position on September 7, Jabin will focus on securing new revenues from nationally-based funding sources. Lyric’s goal is to augment funding for special projects such as the Renée Fleming Initiative, and expanded education and community engagement programs – a priority for Lyric’s

Renée Fleming & Sir Andrew Davis

incoming general director, Anthony Freud. Jabin is currently executive vice president, development of the John G. Shedd Aquarium, where he has worked since 2001. Previously he served as director of development for the Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. Jabin began his career at Lyric Opera of Chicago in the late 1980s as an assistant director of development." [Source]