First Sundays at 7:00 pm
2024/25 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble (Photo: Kyle Flubacker)
Members of Lyric Opera of Chicago's professional artist-development program perform in recital each month.
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center prepares emerging artists for careers in opera by providing unique, comprehensive training and performing experience. Established in 1974 and recognized as one of the premier programs of its kind in the world, the Ryan Opera Center celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2024/25.
Starting in October, this unique monthly Recital Series showcases Ryan Opera Center Ensemble members performing a wide variety of repertoire. Each program includes one or more selections by composers of color. Special thanks to Julie and Roger Baskes for their ongoing sponsorship of the series. To find out more about the Ryan Opera Center visit: lyricopera.org/ryanoperacenter
Tenor Travon D. Walker, Baritone Sankara Harouna, and Pianist Michael Banwarth
May 4, 2025, 7:00 pm
Arias from the Classical and bel canto periods are mixed with American songbook favorites and gospel music in a recital featuring tenor Travon D. Walker and baritone Sankara Harouna.
Baritone Leroy Davis and Pianist Donald Lee III
January 2, 2022
Our Ryan Opera Center Recital features baritone Leroy Davis with pianist Donald Lee III performing some inspiring spirituals. As well as song cycles by Brahms. Poulenc, and by 20th and 21st century African American composer Robert Owens. We will also hear a selection from the contemporary opera "As One".
Bass Anthony Reed and Pianist Chris Reynolds
December 5, 2021
Ryan Opera Center bass Anthony Reed along with Chris Reynolds on piano bring us a fascinating program of vocal bass works from the 16th to the 20th century.
Mezzo-Soprano Kathleen Felty and Pianist Donald Lee III
November 7, 2021
Third year Ryan Opera Center member, mezzo-soprano Kathleen Felty, and first year pianist Donald Lee II are featured in a program which pairs Russian works of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, César Cui, and Sergei Rachmaninoff with Latin American works by Federico García Lorca, Manuel Ponce, Daniel Catán, and Astor Piazzolla. We’ll also hear her perform “Urlicht” from Des Knaben Wunderhorn by Mahler ...
Mezzo-Soprano Katherine Beck and Pianist Craig Terry
October 3, 2021
In this program featuring mezzo-soprano Katherine Beck, works of Handel, Haydn, Mahler, Sondheim, and H. Leslie Adams are featured.
Lunga Eric Hallam tenor, Ricardo José Rivera baritone, Chris Reynolds piano
September 5, 2021
Our recital features Lunga Eric Hallam, Ricardo Jose Rivera, and Chris Reynolds. They will be performing baroque music by J.S. Bach and Handel, as well as songs from Italy, South Africa, and the Dominican Republic.
Mezzo-soprano Katherine Beck, tenor Martin Luther Clark, bass Anthony Reed, pianist Chris Reynolds
July 4, 2021
This recital features four members of the Ryan Opera Center: mezzo-soprano Katherine Beck, tenor Martin Luther Clark, bass Anthony Reed, and pianist Chris Reynolds. They will perform music that spans four centuries all about the joy, happiness, and heartache of love. We’ll also hear a cabaret song from Germany regarded today as the first ‘gay anthem’.
Denis Vélez soprano, Katherine DeYoung mezzo-soprano, Leroy Davis baritone, Chris Reynolds piano
June 6, 2021
We have an eclectic program featuring four members from the Ryan Opera Center soprano Denis Vélez, mezzo-soprano Katherine DeYoung, baritone Leroy Davis, and pianist Chris Reynolds. We will feature songs about Spring, Summer, and Winter and have music from Dvořák’s Seven Gypsy Songs and from the musical Guys and Dolls.
Maria Novella Malfatti soprano, Kathleen Felty mezzo-soprano, David Weigel bass-baritone, Chris Reynolds piano
April 4, 2021
We will feature three singers from the Ryan Opera Center along with pianist Chris Reynolds in an eclectic program. Soprano Maria Novella Malfatti will perform works by Verdi, Fauré, and Duke Ellington. Mezzo-Soprano Kathleen Felty will sing Satie, Poulenc, and Mexican composer Maria Grever. And bass-baritone David Weigel will be featured in compositions by Lili Boulanger and Alberto Ginastera.
Baritone Leroy Davis and Pianist Chris Reynolds
February 7, 2021
Our recital features baritone Leroy Davis singing songs from Robert Schumann‘s Liederkreis and from 20th-century African American composer Robert Owens’ Mortal Storm. Pianist Chris Reynolds will perform piano solo works by Lili Boulanger, William Grant Still, and Astor Piazzolla.
Soprano Maria Novella Malfatti, Bass-Baritone David Weigel, and Pianist Chris Reynolds
January 3, 2021
In this recital we will hear music of JS Bach, Manuel de Falla, and African-American composers Robert Owens and H. Leslie Adams. Soprano Maria Novella Malfatti will perform the Argentinian classic song “La Rosa y el Sauce” by Carlos Guastavino and bass-baritone David Weigel will sing William Grant Still’s Songs of Seperation. They are joined on the piano by Ryan ...
Soprano Denis Vélez, Tenor Lunga Eric Hallam, and Pianist Chris Reynolds
December 6, 2020
This recital features a wide spectrum of international vocal music. Soprano Denis Vélez will be performing works by the Mexican composers Manuel M. Ponce and Salvador Moreno Manzano and Spanish composer Joaquín Turina. Tenor Lunga Eric Hallam will be performing a work by South African composer Sibusiso Njeza written in tribute to Winnie Makadizela Mandela as well as Schubert’s 4 ...
Katherine DeYoung, Anthony Reed, and Chris Reynolds
November 1, 2020
We will hear music of Dvořák and Massenet as well as songs by African-American composers whose work was influenced by the Harlem Renaissance movement. There’s also a witty song about a woman who has a interesting and very permanent passion. Mezzo-soprano Katherine DeYoung and bass Anthony Reed will be joined on the piano by Chris Reynolds.
Duo Recital: Kathleen Felty and Martin Luther Clark
October 4, 2020
Mezzo-Soprano Kathleen Felty and tenor Martin Luther Clark are featured in this recital with works by Jean Sibelius, Henri Duparc, and Alfred Bachelet. We will also hear Ms. Felty in Duke Ellignton’s powerful “(In My) Solitude” and Mr. Clark in contemporary composer Jake Heggie’s “Friendly Persuasions: Homage to Poulenc”. They will be joined on the piano by Chris Reynolds.
Duo Recital: Katherine Beck and Ricardo José Rivera
September 6, 2020
Featured on this recital is mezzo-soprano Katherine Beck and baritone Ricardo José Rivera. They will sing songs of Florence Price, Hugo Wolf, Carlos Guastavino, and H. Leslile Adams. Mr. Rivera will also be performing works from Robert Schumann’s Dichterliebe and Ms. Beck will give us a delightful rendition of song from the musical Ragtime. The will be joined on piano ...
Duo Recital: Lauren Decker and Christopher Kenney
August 2, 2020
Contralto Lauren Decker and baritone Christopher Kenney are featured in this recital with Ryan Opera Center Music Director, Craig Terry on the piano. Ms. Decker will be singing Britten’s song cycle A Charm of Lullabies and an aria from Ricky Ian Gordon’s Grapes of Wrath. Mr. Kenny will also be singing a song cycle, Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer as ...
Diary of One Who Disappeared by Leoš Janáček
July 5, 2020
Ryan Opera Center tenor Eric Ferring along with ensemble members will perform Janáček's song cycle Diary of One Who Disappeared. Told in 22 songs, the piece tells the story of love so powerful it overrides social boundaries.
Duo Recital: Eric Ferring and Lauren Decker
June 7, 2020
Featured on this Ryan Opera Center recital, contralto Lauren Decker, tenor Eric Ferring and pianist Madeline Slettedahl perform popular Italian songs as well as songs by Richard Strauss and cabaret songs by William Bolcom.
Soprano Emily Pogorelc
May 3, 2020
Soprano, Emily Pogorelc is featured in this recital with guest pianist Christopher Reynolds. She will be variety of works from the 19th and 20th century including Schubert, Boulanger, Grieg, Sibelius and Rachmaninoff.
Mezzo-Soprano Kayleigh Decker
April 5, 2020
Ryan Opera Center Mezzo-soprano Kayleigh Decker and pianist Madeline Slettedahl bring us a recital in celebration of 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote. Featured are works by women composers Florence Price, Alma Mahler, and Lili and Nadia Boulanger.
Diary of One Who Disappeared by Leoš Janáček
March 8, 2020
Ryan Opera Center tenor Eric Ferring along with ensemble members will perform Janáček's song cycle Diary of One Who Disappeared. Told in 22 songs, the piece tells the story of love so powerful it overrides social boundaries.
