Lyric Opera Ball 2013
The Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Far West chapter celebrates its 50th anniversary with a performance by the multi-instrumental duo “Sings and Strings” Sunday, November 10th, 1:00 p.m., in the Joseph McGill Room of Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton, Illinois. For more information contact, Ida Lee at FarWestChapter@lyricopera.org.
“Sings and Strings” features Jennifer Silk, Chicago’s “favorite strolling violinist” and violist, with cellist and opera singer Wendy Cotton. A music education graduate of Western Michigan University and Arizona State University, Silk has entertained audiences at over 5,000 events as a full-time professional freelance musician. She has recorded numerous TV and radio commercials and teaches privately. Along with her one woman show “A Day in the Life of a Strolling Violinist” – a program inspired by her mentor and colleague well-known society violinist Franz Benteler – she is the lead violinist at the Lyric’s Opera Ball with the Stu Hirsh Orchestra. In addition to the violin, Silk also performs regularly in the viola section of the west suburban New Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by music director Kirk Muspratt.
Cellist and opera singer Cotton is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with a degree in cello performance. Tying in with the Lyric’s upcoming production of “The Sound of Music, she will sing “Edelweiss” while playing her cello in a duet with Silk. Cotton began her singing career with dance bands but it wasn’t until she was in college that she was encouraged “to try” opera. The result was being awarded the honor of “Most Promising Young Artist” by the Metropolitan Opera of New York. Cotton has soloed extensively throughout the Midwest, teaches privately as well as being a prolific freelance cellist.
In a Lyric Opera Chapter, opera lovers of all ages get together to enjoy lectures, musical performances, special events, volunteer opportunities, and each other’s company. Each Chapter is chartered with the dual purpose of raising money to enhance educational and community-engagement programs and generating support for Lyric Opera of Chicago. Chapter members enjoy certain exclusive benefits, including an invitation to the all-Chapter Annual Luncheon Meeting featuring Ryan Opera Center ensemble members, the opportunity to be an OPERATHON volunteer, a discount at OperaShop for sales volunteers and the Chapter member price for all Community Chapter programs.