Editing Lyric Opera of Chicago (section)

==Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center{{Anchor|Ryan Opera Center}}==
The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center (formerly {{visible anchor|Lyric Opera Center for American Artists}}, 1981–2006), established in 1974 as the Lyric Opera School by Carol Fox, is the professional artist-development program for Lyric Opera of Chicago.

The Ryan Opera Center is considered one of the most prestigious vocal programs in America,<ref name="ketterson">Ketterson, Mark Thomas, [https://web.archive.org/web/20080516062610/http://www.usoperaweb.com/2003/autum/locaa.html "Lyric Opera Center of American Artists Trains the Opera Singers of the Future]", on usoperaweb.com, Autumn 2003</ref>
and has produced notable singers, including:
{{Div col|rules=yes|colwidth=18em}}
*[[Harolyn Blackwell]]
*[[Nicole Cabell]]
*[[Mark S. Doss]]
*[[Elizabeth Futral]]
*[[Cecelia Hall (mezzo-soprano)|Cecelia Hall]]
*[[Joseph Kaiser (tenor)|Joseph Kaiser]]
*[[Quinn Kelsey]]
*[[Gary Lehman]]
*[[Emily Magee]]
*[[Susanna Phillips]]
*[[Matthew Polenzani]]
*[[Christian Van Horn]]
*[[Erin Wall]]
*[[Yang Guang (mezzo-soprano)|Guang Yang]]
*[[Kathleen Kuhlmann]]
{{div col end}}

Approximately a dozen young singers are selected from the near 400 who audition annually,<ref>[http://www.lyricopera.org/about/ryanopera.aspx The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016025244/http://www.lyricopera.org/about/ryanopera.aspx |date=2009-10-16 }}</ref> and they are in residence for twelve months. Over the course of the year they receive advanced instruction in numerous aspects of operatic performance, including voice lessons and coachings, language and acting training, and master classes with some of opera's most renowned artists. The singers gain valuable performing experience by participating in recitals and concerts at many Chicago-area venues. During Lyric's mainstage season, they perform and understudy roles at all levels. The singers work with the world's greatest opera singers, conductors, and directors, thus advancing the young artists’ professionalism. In 2005, author [[William Murray (writer)|William Murray]] wrote a book about a year in the life of an entering class at the Ryan Opera Center.{{sfn|Murray|2006}}

The first director of the Ryan Opera Center during its beginning years from 1974-1981, when it was renamed the Lyric Opera Center Center, and continuing until 1991, when he retired, was Lee Schaenen.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/22/obituaries/lee-schaenen-is-dead-opera-official-was-67.html | title=Lee Schaenen is Dead; Opera Official Was 67 | work=The New York Times | date=22 June 1993 }}</ref> [[Andrew Földi]] succeeded him as director of the Ryan Opera Center from 1991 to 1995. He was succeeded by [[Richard Pearlman]], who was director of the program from 1995 until his death in 2006. Renowned soprano [[Gianna Rolandi]], who had been the Ryan Opera Center's director of vocal studies and principal instructor since 2002, was appointed director of the program in 2006.<ref>[http://www.operanews.com/Opera_News_Magazine/2006/5/News/Gianna_Rolandi_Named_as_New_Lyric_Opera_Center_for_American_Artists_Director.html "Gianna Rolandi Named as New Lyric Opera Center for American Artists Director"], ''[[Opera News]]''. May 9, 2006]</ref> The program is now administered by Dan Novak, director; Craig Terry, music director; Julia Faulkner, director of vocal studies, and [[Renée Fleming]], advisor.