Lyric Opera of Chicago

Chicago, IL · Founded 1957

World-renowned opera company presenting classic and contemporary productions

Primary audience
General Public
Work area
Arts Presentation
Topic
Cultural Programs
Contact
Anthony Freud
Website Contact

About Organization

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents opera performances, concerts, and educational programs at the Civic Opera House and throughout the community, featuring world-class artists and productions. Based in Chicago, IL, the company generates $57.1 million in annual revenue and is one of America's leading opera companies with strong board leadership.

What They Focus On

Artistic Excellence

Presents performances and productions maintaining highest standards of artistic quality and innovation

Community Access

Removes barriers to participation through affordable tickets, outreach programs, and educational initiatives

Cultural Enrichment

Enhances community vitality by celebrating diverse artistic traditions and fostering creative expression

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2021)

$57.1M

-27.1% vs 2021

Assets (2021)

$266.3M

-6.1% vs 2021

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2021 — — — —
2021 $78,366,900 $70,260,752 $283,616,223 923
2020 — — — —
2020 $46,890,991 $45,918,281 $312,425,270 836
2019 $60,302,671 $77,011,974 $270,226,178 1,168
2018 $81,389,759 $80,008,397 $298,944,224 1,162
2017 $61,878,791 $85,162,029 $293,716,752 1,131

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Assess Needs

    Identifies community priorities through data analysis, stakeholder input, and environmental scanning

  • 02

    Design Programs

    Develops evidence-based interventions addressing identified needs with measurable outcomes

  • 03

    Deliver Services

    Implements programs through qualified staff, volunteers, and community partners

  • 04

    Evaluate Impact

    Monitors results, collects feedback, and adjusts strategies for continuous improvement

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Lyric Opera of Chicago

Performance Season

Presents diverse productions featuring acclaimed artists and innovative artistic programming throughout the year

Education Programs

Provides learning opportunities for students and adults through classes, workshops, and masterclasses

Community Engagement

Builds connections through free events, open rehearsals, and partnerships with local organizations

Artist Development

Supports emerging and established artists through residencies, commissions, and professional development

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Lyric Opera of Chicago.

AF

Anthony Freud

General Director, President & CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $714,627
DL

Drew Landmesser

Chief Operating Officer & Deputy General Director
Full-time
Compensation: $316,814
KS

Kathleen Sheehan

Vice President for Principal Gifts
Full-time
Compensation: $223,664
VM

Vincente Milianti

Vice President for Finance
Full-time
Compensation: $162,219
TG

Tracy Galligher Young

Senior Director, Marketing & Audience Development
Full-time
Compensation: $149,512
MB

Michael Black

Chorus Master
Full-time
Compensation: $188,987
JD

Joe Dockweiler

Master Carpenter
Full-time
Compensation: $176,271
MG

Michael Green

Former Principal Percussionist
Full-time
Compensation: $163,888

Milestones

2020

Program Expansion

2020

Enhanced service delivery reaching more individuals and strengthening community partnerships

2021

Continued Operations

2021

Maintained service delivery and organizational stability despite external challenges

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

EM
Enrique Mazzola Vice - Chair & Music Director 40.0 hrs/week · $433,512
EH
Elizabeth Hurley Asst Secretary, Chief Advancement Officer 40.0 hrs/week · $360,729
RL
Roberta Lane Asst Treasurer, CFAO 40.0 hrs/week · $321,112
AB
Allan B Muchin Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
AB
Allan Bulley Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
AD
Allan Drebin Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
AC
Amy Carbone Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
AJ
Andrew J McKenna Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
AP
Anna Paglia Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
BJ
Blythe J McGarvie Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
BM
Brenda M Shapiro Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
BR
Brenda Robinson Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
BT
Bryan Traubert Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
CD
Charles Droege Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
CE
Chaz Ebert Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
CT
Cherryl T Thomas Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
CS
Christine Schyvinck Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
CM
Claudia M Saran Trustee (until May 2022) 1.0 hrs/week
CC
Craig C Martin Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
DD
Dan Draper Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
DG
Dan Grossman Trustee (until June 2022), Treasurer (beg June 2022) 2.0 hrs/week
DO
David Ormesher Executive Committee Chair 2.0 hrs/week
DW
David W Carpenter Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
DM
Don M Randel Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
DV
Donna Van Eekeren Secretary 2.0 hrs/week
ER
Elke Rehbock Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
EE
Elliot E Hirsch Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
EL
Eric L Hirschfield Trustee (until May 2022) 1.0 hrs/week
ES
Eric S Smith Vice - Chair 1.0 hrs/week
EC
Ethel C Gofen Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
FC
Francesca Cornelli Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
FT
Franco Tedeschi Trustee (until May 2022) 1.0 hrs/week
FB
Frank B Modruson Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
GK
Gregory K Jones Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
GO
Gregory O'Leary Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
HG
H Gael Neeson Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JT
J Thomas Hurvis Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JF
James Fellows Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JL
James L Alexander Vice-Chair 2.0 hrs/week
JC
Jane Chu Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JD
Jane DiRenzo Pigott Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JC
Jeffrey C Neal Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JH
Jodi Hochberger Rubenstein Trustee (beg April 2022) 1.0 hrs/week
JE
John E Butler Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JN
John Nichols Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JP
John P Amboian Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JL
Jonathan Lewis Trustee (beg April 2022) 1.0 hrs/week
JL
Jose Luis Prado Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JL
Josef Lakonishok Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JO
Joseph O Rubinelli Jr Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
JB
Julie Baskes Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
KF
Karen Freeman-Wilson Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
KG
Karen Gray-Krehbiel Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
KA
Katherine A Abelson Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
KS
Kevin Smith Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
KK
Kip Kelley II Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
LA
Larry A Barden Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
LD
Laura DeFelice Trustee (beg Dec 2021) 1.0 hrs/week
LB
Laurie Bay Trustee (beg Dec 2021) 1.0 hrs/week
LC
Lester Crown Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
LK
Linda K Myers Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
LE
Lois Eisen Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
LK
Lori Komisar Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
MC
Maria C Green Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
MA
Marion A Cameron Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
MC
Marsha Cruzan Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
MS
Marsha Serlin Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
MF
Matthew Fisher Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
MJ
Matthew J Parr Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
MG
Melvin Gray Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
MP
Michael P Cole Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
MS
Michael Strautmanis Trustee (until May 2022) 1.0 hrs/week
MD
Miles D White Trustee (until May 2022) 1.0 hrs/week
MM
Mimi Mitchell Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
NS
Nancy Searle Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
NT
Nasrin Thierer Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
NK
Neil Kawashima Trustee (beg April 2022) 1.0 hrs/week
OT
Olivia Tyrrell Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
OO
Olufummilayo Olopade Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
PS
Pam Szokol Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
PF
Paul F Anderson Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
PS
Penelope Steiner Trustee (beg Dec 2021) 1.0 hrs/week
RP
Richard Pomeroy Trustee (until June 2022) 1.0 hrs/week
RR
Richard Ryan Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
RS
Richard Shepro Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
RW
Richard W Colburn Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
RF
Robert Ford Trustee (beg Feb 2022) 1.0 hrs/week
RJ
Robert J McCullen Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
RL
Roberta L Washlow Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
RA
Ruth Ann M Gillis Treasurer (until May 2022) 2.0 hrs/week
SC
Scott Cozad Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
SE
Scott E Santi Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
SF
Sharon F Oberlander Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
SW
Shirley Welsh Ryan Vice-Chair 2.0 hrs/week
SF
Sonia Florian Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
SK
Stephen Kaplan Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
SF
Steven Fradkin Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
SM
Susan Morrison Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
SN
Sylvia Neil Chair 6.0 hrs/week
VK
Vikram Karnani Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
VC
Vinay Couto Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
WA
William A Osborn Trustee 1.0 hrs/week
WC
William C Vance Vice-Chair 2.0 hrs/week
RL
Roberta Lane Asst Treasurer/CFAO

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2021)

$3.6M

Highest Paid

$756K

Anthony Freud

Compensated Officers

11

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Anthony Freud General Director, President & CEO $714,627 $41,481 $756,108 40
Enrique Mazzola Vice - Chair & Music Director $433,512 — $433,512 40
Elizabeth Hurley ASST Secretary, Chief Advancement Officer $360,729 $44,231 $404,960 40
Roberta Lane ASST Treasurer, Cfao $321,112 $40,584 $361,696 40
Drew Landmesser Chief Operating Officer & Deputy General Director $316,814 $37,203 $354,017 40
Kathleen Sheehan Vice President For Principal Gifts $223,664 $34,362 $258,026 40
Joe Dockweiler Master Carpenter $176,271 $58,275 $234,546 40
Michael Black Chorus Master $188,987 $11,876 $200,863 40
Tracy Galligher Young Senior Director, Marketing & Audience Development $149,512 $48,303 $197,815 40
Vincente Milianti Vice President For Finance $162,219 $32,601 $194,820 40
Michael Green Former Principal Percussionist $163,888 $8,984 $172,872 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Individual Political Donors

People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns

$4K Total Given
Democratic $2,221 (60%)
Other/PAC $1,460 (40%)
82 Contributions
$45 Avg Each

Top Individual Donors

14 Individual Donors
BH
Barbara Haffner 21 contributions • $48 avg
$1,000
MB
Mark Brandfonbrener 23 contributions • $27 avg
$621
ML
Me Lee 2 contributions • $250 avg
$500
GG
Gordon Granger 12 contributions • $30 avg
$360
WM
Wendy Mccay 1 contribution • $300 avg
$300

Other Individual Contributors $900 combined

#6
RJ

Robert J Ladd

New Lenox, IL

$240 Total
6 Contributions
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF TH...
#7
TV

Terri Van Valkinburgh

Chicago, IL

$188 Total
4 Contributions
HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT
#8
CZ

Charlene Zimmerman

Chicago, IL

$150 Total
2 Contributions
HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT
#9
TY

Tracy Young

Malvern, PA

$104 Total
3 Contributions
HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT
#10
HD

Helen Dunn

River Forest, IL

$75 Total
3 Contributions
HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT
#11
MC

Matthew Comerford

Rancho Mirage, CA

$50 Total
1 Contribution
HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT
#12
JB

Jacob B Sullivan

Tinley Park, IL

$40 Total
2 Contributions
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF TH...
#13
LB

Laura Burgos

Chicago, IL

$33 Total
1 Contribution
JON OSSOFF FOR SENATE
#14
NJ

Nicholas J Hull

Palatine, IL

$20 Total
1 Contribution
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF TH...

Quick Insights

🏆
Most Active Donor Mark Brandfonbrener with 23 contributions
💰
Highest Avg per Contribution Me Lee at $250 each
🎯
Top Recipient HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT — $1,076

Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$5.6M

Total Forgiven

$5.6M

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

408

Loan Details 1 loan

$5,594,500
Forgiven
Forgiven: $5,629,906 100%
Approved Mar 31, 2021
Lender BMO Bank National Association
Jobs Reported 408
Forgiven On Dec 9, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$2.7M Grants Received
10 Organizations

Top Funders

10 total
TC
The Chicago Community Trust 2 grants
$1.3M
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$935K
NC
Ncrc Community Development Fund Inc.
$250K
TA
The Ayco Charitable Foundation
$54K
GC
Greater Cedar Rapids Community
$29K
MS
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc.
$20K
BI
Bradley Impact Fund Inc.
$15K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$13K
CA
Charities Aid Foundation America
$8K
RJ
Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund
$5K
The Chicago Community Trust Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Ncrc Community Development Fund Inc. The Ayco Charitable Foundation Greater Cedar Rapids Community Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Bradley Impact Fund Inc. American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Charities Aid Foundation America Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund
The Chicago Community Trust Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Ncrc Community Development Fund Inc. The Ayco Charitable Foundation Greater Cedar Rapids Community Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Bradley Impact Fund Inc. American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Charities Aid Foundation America Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Federal Funding

Government awards and grants from USAspending.gov

$30K Total Obligated
$30K Total Amount
2 Awards
1 Agency

Awards

Agency Award ID Type Period Amount
NEA 1939359-36-26 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2025-2026 $30,000
NEA 1927602-36-24 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2025-2026 $0

Source: USAspending.gov. Amounts represent total federal obligations.

Contact

Get in touch with Lyric Opera of Chicago

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(312) 332-2244

Social

Visit Website
20 N Wacker Drive 860 Chicago, IL 60606