Considered one of the world's preeminent artist-development programs for emerging artists, The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced the 12 singers who have been selected for its 2024/25 Ensemble at Final Auditions held on September 17 in the Ardis Krainik Theatre. Sopranos Adia Evans, Gemma Nha, and Emily Richter, tenor Daniel Espinal, baritone Sankara Harouna, and bass-baritones Ossian Huskinson and Finn Sagal will join five returning singers of the Ensemble: mezzo-sopranos Lucy Baker and Sophia Maekawa, tenor Travon D. Walker, baritone Ian Rucker, and bass-baritone Christopher Humbert, Jr.
Starting last winter, more than 600 singers applied for consideration with video recordings. After a thorough review, selected singers were invited to live preliminary auditions throughout the spring and summer, resulting in invitations to a small group to sing on September 17. The Final Auditions were attended by hundreds of guests, who also participated in voting for the Audience Favorite Award. The award and $500 cash prize went to soprano Adia Evans.
LaRob K. Rafael, program host at 98.7WFMT, served as master of ceremonies for the Final Auditions, and the audience was treated to a performance by mezzo-soprano Kayleigh Decker, a Ryan Opera Center alumna. Judges for the day included Lyric’s general director, president & CEO Anthony Freud, music director Enrique Mazzola, chief artistic administration officer Matthew Ozawa, vice president of artistic planning Andreas Melinat, director of artistic programs Cory Lippiello, and chorus director and head of music Michael Black, along with Ryan Opera Center vice president and director Dan Novak, music director Craig Terry and director of vocal studies Julia Faulkner.
The 2024/25 Season marks a major milestone for The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center as the program's 50th Anniversary. The Ensemble singers will begin their tenure in May 2024 and will receive advanced instruction in numerous aspects of operatic performance, including voice lessons and language classes, movement and acting training, and master classes with some of opera’s most renowned artists. They will also participate in Lyric’s mainstage season, performing and understudying a variety of roles, in addition to performing at Ryan Opera Center concerts and recitals throughout the Chicago community.
2024/25 Ensemble Singers of the Ryan Opera Center
SOPRANOS
Adia Evans (Baltimore, Maryland)
Gemma Nha (Sydney, Australia)
Emily Richter (Arlington, Virginia)
MEZZO-SOPRANOS
Lucy Baker (Wilmington, North Carolina)
Sophia Maekawa (Kyoto, Japan)
TENORS
Daniel Espinal (Sarasota, Florida)
Travon D. Walker (Hinesville, Georgia)
BARITONES
Sankara Harouna (Chicago, Illinois)
Ian Rucker (Oshkosh, Wisconsin)
BASS-BARITONES
Christopher Humbert, Jr. (Akron, Ohio)
Ossian Huskinson (London, England)
Finn Sagal (La Cañada Flintridge, California)
Ryan Opera Center Final Auditions are generously made possible by Lead Sponsor Philip G. Lumpkin.
Finalists' airfares are generously provided by American Airlines as the Official Airline of the Ryan Opera Center National Auditions.
About Lyric
Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to redefining what it means to experience great opera. The company is driven to deliver consistently excellent artistry through innovative, relevant, celebratory programming that engages and energizes new and traditional audiences.
Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO Anthony Freud and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric is dedicated to reflecting, and drawing strength from, the diversity of Chicago. Lyric offers, through innovation, collaboration, and evolving learning opportunities, ever-more exciting, accessible, and thought-provoking audience and community experiences. We also stand committed to training the artists of the future, through The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center; and to becoming increasingly diverse across our audiences, staff, programming, and artists—magnifying the welcoming pull of our art form, our company, and our city.
Through the timeless power of voice, the splendor of a great orchestra and chorus, theater, dance, design, and truly magnificent stagecraft, Lyric is devoted to immersing audiences in worlds both familiar and unexpected, creating shared experiences that resonate long after the curtain comes down.
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For more information, visit lyricopera.org.
About Ryan Opera Center
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is Lyric's acclaimed artist-development program that nurtures the talents of some of the most promising operatic artists of each generation. Ryan Opera Center alumni are among the dominant names in opera today. This highly competitive program, established in 1974, is honored to enjoy the support of acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming as Advisor at Large, along with full-time staff Dan Novak (Director), Craig Terry (Music Director), and Julia Faulkner (Director of Vocal Studies).
For more information, visit lyricopera.org/ryanoperacenter.