Overture Society Luncheons

Feel the Love!                                                                                                                                                                           

Walk into the William B. and Catherine Graham Room during an Overture Society Appreciation Luncheon and you can feel the positive energy. And why not? After all, it’s a virtual love-fest! Overture Society members love Lyric so much that they include its support in their estate plans. Lyric loves these supportive patrons and thanks them and their guests with an annual luncheon and dress rehearsal. And judging by the good-humored and animated conversation at the tables, these planned givers feel great about one another. Now that’s a recipe for a successful gathering.

From Lyric’s Board of Directors, David Carpenter served as master of ceremonies for the 2010/11 season’s November luncheon, Kenneth Porrello for the January luncheon, and president and CEO Richard Kiphart for the final one, in February. All three offered their sincere thanks to those assembled, both for their planned gifts and for their extraordinary response to the Overture Society OPERATHON Challenge Grant appeal. Music director Sir Andrew Davis at the first luncheon, and general director William Mason at the other two, introduced artists present and discussed the season’s operas.

A highlight of each luncheon is learning fascinating details about the dress rehearsal  attendees will see that afternoon in the Ardis Krainik Theatre. In November, audience education manager Jesse Gram held everyone spellbound with insights into Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. January and February featured Lyric’s stellar dramaturg and program editor, Roger Pines, talking about Puccini’s The Girl of the Golden West and Wagner’s Lohengrin, respectively. As usual, both gentlemen delighted the crowd with their contagious enthusiasm, amazing knowledge, and unparalleled delivery.                                                                                                                                                                                                     

No wonder planned givers eagerly anticipate their luncheon date each year – and they extend a cordial invitation to all Lyric lovers to join them. Simply contact Jonathan Siner, Director of Planned Giving, at 312-827-5677 or planned_giving@lyricopera.org. Become an Overture Society member and feel the love!                                                                

Top Left: Board of Directors member David Carpenter emceed the November luncheon. Top Right: At the February luncheon, James and Laurie Bay, representing co-sponsor The James N. and Julie B. Bay Charitable Foundation, were thrilled to meet Amber Wagner, who sang Elsa in two Lyric performances of Wagner’s Lohengrin. Bottom Left: Board Emcee Kenneth Porrello chatted with Mary Louise and Raymond Duhamel in January. Bottom Right: Luncheon co-sponsor Susan M. Miller enjoyed some time with Lyric’s Music Director, Sir Andrew Davis, in November.