Larry Johnson reports that the Lyric Opera has very quietly renewed Anthony Freud as its CEO for anther five years until 2026.
Freud, who is British, has been there since 2011. His renewal was kept so secret it raises questions of board accountability.
Read here.
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So very sad. He’s destroying Lyric Opera of Chicago. What brand of spell does he have over the board? They once knew what true quality was. But that was many moons ago when Ardis was in charge. The company had a heart then. It attracted the best singers from around the world. Now it’s just another example of the bottom line over quality on stage. I feel particularly sorry for those who have given so much to the company. The chorus, the stage technicians, and all the shops. Of opera dies in America, it will dilettantes like Freud who will kill it.
Cantantelirico has hit the nail on the head. Freud is a fraud and should have been drummed out long ago. It might be too late.
When Freud was hired, I thought it was because former music director Sir Andrew Davis felt more comfortable working with a fellow Brit. Don’t forget, that the music director and artistic staff also have input as to what productions are presented. It’s hard to say who specifically wanted to bring in this production. Could have been Freud, a member of the Board, or the music director or Renee Fleming, who I believe is still an artistic consultant. Think it was a bad decision, but others may have liked it. I once asked a German opera fan why they tolerated bizarre productions there, and she said no one thought there was anything wrong with them. But in truth, Chicago fans like beautiful sets and costumes and are not impressed with gimmicks. Let’s hope the Lyric listens to its customers.
Which production are you talking about?
He needs to finish what he started: burning the place to the ground artistically.
There is a huge disconnect between the board and management compared to the average opera-goer in Chicago. The board probably feels COVID is responsible for the downturn in attendance but it long pre-dates COVID.
They now have main floor select seating with prices to match at the prime front of the Opera House and it’s full, so they think all is well. And don’t see the acres of empty seats upstairs, etc.
We are down to 6 operas and 38 or so performances compared to 8 operas and 77-79 performances not so long ago.
I agree that their upcoming schedule is hugely disappointing. Not much at all. I don’t know who or what is to blame.
Take a look at the board, folks. Hardly anyone there from 20 years ago. They are all newbies, no historical or musical knowledge. Used to be big time, old money CEOs on the board. No longer. Look at the chair? Really? A civil rights attorney? Clueless. So they just follow what Freud tells them. They don’t know any better. It’s sad.
All my Chicago friends and family are Chicago Symphony subscribers. None subscribe to the Lyric and most have not been in several years.
What Chicago needs is an inspiring star or star-in-the-making conductor. This not a full-time position since it’s a 6 opera season.
Instead of the Enrique Mazzola, they should have picked one of the many rising stars who are out there- Elim Chan, Xian Zhang, Lahav Shani, Rafael Payare, — to name just a few. There is a sizable list of exciting up-and-coming conductors who could breathe life into the opera house…and into the old-and-tired PR machine.
The sad and brutal fact is that there is diminishing interest in this country in opera and classical music. And there is nothing Freud or anyone else can do about it.
I don’t understand the headline “ Chicago can’t survive without Freud” What does that mean?