Donor Spotlight - Corporate Partnerships

Creativity on the stage and behind the scenes has defined Lyric as a preeminent artistic and cultural leader, making a deep impact on the international opera landscape and across communities right here in Chicago. Lyric is grateful for the thousands of individuals, corporations, and foundations counted among its core community of donors. This support is essential to Lyric’s world-class performances, innovative programs, and day-to-day operations.

Included in this vital community are those institutions that support Lyric through in-kind donations–goods and services that ensures Lyric can continue offering unparalleled programming at the opera house and beyond. Since its founding in 1954, Lyric has been proud to partner with hundreds of local, national, and international companies in new and inventive ways. Most recently, an existing corporate partner introduced Lyric to CORT Furniture. CORT generously enabled Lyric to update its conference room spaces for the first time in 20 years. Through this mutually beneficial in-kind partnership, CORT provided much-needed furnishings that mirror the excellence for which Lyric is known internationally.

Lyric gratefully acknowledges the significant support of the below corporate partners, all members of Lyric’s Business Ensemble, for their generous in-kind support.

American Airlines – For 37 years, American Airlines has served as the Official Airline of Lyric Opera of Chicago. Each season, American Airlines donates millions of AAdvantage Miles to help bring artists to Chicago from all around the world. Franco Tedeschi, Vice President of American Airlines, proudly serves on Lyric’s Board of Directors and Lyric Unlimited Committee.

Corporate Suites Network – Corporate Suites Network has been a generous donor to Lyric for nearly 20 years and recently became the Broadway at Lyric preferred housing provider. Corporate Suites Network assisted with housing for artists performing in Jesus Christ Superstar and will continue to partner with Lyric to support artist housing needs during this season’s production of West Side Story.

Jenner & Block – Founded in Chicago, Jenner & Block is a leading law firm with global impact and substantial experience. Jenner & Block has provided significant pro bono legal expertise for several decades, and Lyric is fortunate to have Craig C. Martin, Partner and Chair of Jenner & Block’s Litigation Department, as a member of the Board of Directors, Nominating/Governance, and Executive Committee.

Ogilvy: As an advertising, marketing, and public relations agency, Ogilvy creatively works to elevate branding and marketing in a complex, hyper-connected world. In 2017, Ogilvy’s Chicago team was tasked with engaging new audiences with an accessible and appealing approach to Lyric. The resulting print, poster, and billboard campaign – “Are You Opera Enough?” – was so successful, it won a Gold Lion Award at the 2018 Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.

Shure Incorporated – Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, Shure is one of the world’s leading manufacturer of microphones and audio electronics. Last season, Jesus Christ Superstarfeatured a six-piece rock band, requiring 74 wireless microphone channels (some not even available on the market yet!), all provided by Shure. This season’s production of West Side Story will include even more digital equipment, adding items to Lyric’s permanent sound system, courtesy of Shure.

Warner Classics: Warner Classics, the classical music division of Warner Music Group, has served as Lyric’s Official Education and Promotion Music Provider for many years. Warner Classics music is featured online at Lyric Opera Commentaries, educating new and returning audiences as they prepare for each mainstage production.

Each year, Lyric Young Professionals (LYP) partner with corporations large and small across Chicago to present events for the next generation of audiences. From the annual Halloween Masquerade to frequent LYP Happy Hours and LYP Meetups, corporate donors play an integral role to the success of these events.

In addition to season-long recognition, Lyric’s corporate partners enjoy benefits such as the biannual on-stage networking receptions, corporate discounts for employees, invitations to masterclasses, and more. To learn more about becoming a Lyric Corporate Partner, please contact businessensemble@lyricopera.org.