CHICAGO (9/13/23) — Lyric Opera of Chicago, one of the world’s most celebrated opera companies, will open its 2023/24 season on September 23rd. This highly anticipated season will be remarkable for another reason as it marks the final season at the company’s helm for General Director, President and CEO, Anthony Freud.
“Having been a general director for 30 years leading opera companies on both sides of the Atlantic, with the last 13 wonderful years at Lyric, I have made the personal decision to retire in summer 2024,” said Freud. “Working with Lyric has, for me, been the honor and thrill of a lifetime."
“During Anthony’s tenure, Lyric has seen tremendous artistic growth and amazing firsts. Thanks to Anthony’s leadership and hard work, Lyric enhanced its national and international leadership in the field and stands out as an indispensable part of the cultural and civic fabric of Chicago,” offered board chair Sylvia Neil. “Anthony was Lyric’s first general director to have been appointed from outside the company, and the development of the company under his leadership has been remarkable. Our collective confidence in Lyric's future is deeply rooted in Anthony's significant accomplishments and the vibrancy he has created in his partnerships with Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Music Director Emeritus Sir Andrew Davis, and a strong executive team.”
During Freud’s tenure, there have been many remarkable productions of both standard and rare repertoire, featuring favorite Lyric artists who have had long relationships with the company, as well as an array of American and international singers, conductors, directors, and designers making their U.S. and Lyric debuts. World premieres commissioned by Lyric for the mainstage included Bel Canto and Proximity, and game-changing Lyric productions such as the recent co-production of Fire Shut Up in My Bones, Lyric’s own new productions of classics such as the Macbeth that reopened the Lyric Opera House after the Covid-19 pandemic brought much critical and popular acclaim.
And during the 18 months when the opera house was dark during the pandemic, Lyric was far from fallow. During that time, Freud oversaw several major improvements both backstage and front of house to the historic Lyric Opera House. He also created many new digital and outdoor programs, such as the unforgettable co-production Twilight: Gods in the Millennium Park underground garage and the Midwest Emmy-winning film production of Pagliacci. These creative endeavors kept the company alive in the hearts and on the screens of opera lovers everywhere, attracting an unprecedented number of new audience members for the company.
At the start of his tenure, Freud created Lyric Unlimited, the company’s learning and creative engagement program; collaboration with a large variety of organizations around the city has been a hallmark of Freud’s time with Lyric. There were newly commissioned chamber operas, mariachi operas, and other live performances that took place regularly outside the opera house. In 2016, the Chicago Voices initiative involved neighborhoods throughout the city, and culminated in a major unifying concert in the opera house. He introduced Lyric’s highly acclaimed productions of musicals, attracting large new audiences. And in 2018 Freud brought The Joffrey Ballet to the Lyric Opera House as its first resident ballet company.
Freud also led the development of a new business model for the company, ensuring ongoing fitness for purpose in our rapidly changing times and spearheaded the integration of principles of inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access throughout the company’s operation.
His close creative partners at Lyric include Music Director Emeritus Sir Andrew Davis; Lyric’s first-ever Creative Consultant, the world renowned American soprano Renée Fleming; and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, whom Freud recruited in 2019 to succeed Davis.
With the complete support of Lyric’s staff and boards, Freud will continue his “business as usual” work in his current role until his retirement in the summer of 2024. He, and his husband, Colin Ure, plan to return to live in the UK on the completion of his tenure with Lyric Opera of Chicago, having made their home in the U.S. for nearly 20 years.
Images of Lyric leadership are available in Lyric's online press room.
