We have had the honor to work with many individuals on the stage of Lyric Opera of Chicago. This year we bid farewell to 6 members of our LOSA family that are retiring. I had the opportunity to speak with two of the six about their time here at Lyric. In addition our fearless leader, Maestro Michael Black does a little research every year on each individuals statistics from their time here and has been so kind to share those statistics with us. Each individual plays a vital role and has a very special place in our hearts from their time spent here with us. We truly are a family and are proud of all of their accomplishments. We will miss each and every one of them and all they have contributed over the years. Thank you for your hard work and dedication! Each of you will be missed.
Jimmy Odom
Q: How did you end up at Lyric Opera of Chicago?
Odom: After fifteen seasons with The Dallas Opera, and pursuing a career as a solo singer, I decided that I needed to have more stability in my life. It seemed to me that the best choice for me would be one of the four full-time choruses at that time: The Met, New York City Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and San Francisco Opera. Donald Palumbo had recently taken the position of Chorus Master at Lyric. I had worked with Maestro Palumbo in Dallas and knew that I would be happy working with him again. So, I called and arranged an audition. I was offered a position in the regular chorus. I took it and never looked back.
Q: What is the most challenging thing about being in the chorus at Lyric Opera of Chicago?
Odom: I think it may be the magnitude of the work involved. A chorister has to be incredibly versatile in terms of musical styles and genres and must have equal versatility in acting ability. At a company like Lyric, you are almost never able to concentrate on a single production. For most of the season, the chorus is working on at least two, if not more, operas at a time.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being in the full-time chorus at Lyric?
Odom: The magnitude of the work involved. The arts are vital to any society. They are a reflection of who we are as a people. When you look at the history of a civilization, trying to understand what the values of a people were, you look to their arts. As a member of the full-time chorus at Lyric, our work reflects who and what our society is.
Q: What is your favorite opera production/cast/performance from your time at Lyric?
Odom: I don’t think I can answer that with just one. Renée Fleming in “Susannah”. Mirella Freni in “La Bohéme”. “Dialogues of the Carmelites”. “Billy Budd”.
Q: Tell me your most memorable moment from your time at Lyric.
Odom: Again, there are so many. Singing “Patria opressa” in Macbeth. Standing next to Arthur Miller during the curtain call of “A View From The Bridge”. The Lyric Opera Chorus “Wall of Sound” in “Mefistofele” and “Turandot” and “Aida” and “Peter Grimes” a dozen other shows. Jokes and pranks with (and from) the stage crew. And perhaps the most important to me, coming back to work after a life-threatening illness and realizing that my colleagues in the chorus were quietly arranging themselves around me on stage in case I needed help in getting through my blocking.
Q: Do you have any advice for young singers entering the chorus?
Odom: Remember to have fun. And when you get discouraged, remember that you are part of a very elite group of people. There are only 168 people in North America who hold a similar position to the one you do.
Q: What are your plans now that you are leaving/retiring from Lyric?
Odom: I am taking the position of Midwest Business Agent for the American Guild of Musical Artists. (AGMA is the labor union that represents LOSA Artists and their colleagues at other opera companies across the country, as well as Concert Choral Singers and Dancers at dance companies.) So, while I will no longer be performing on the operatic stage, I will still be working with my colleagues as I represent them.
Laurie Seely
Q: How did you end up at Lyric Opera of Chicago?
Seely: I ended up here after auditioning in New York City. Donald Nally was hearing auditions for “Porgy and Bess” and 3 mezzo spots were open for the 2008-09 season. I was the last one to sing for them before they flew back to Chicago! I remember giving them shit for having their suitcases all lined up against the wall of the room. They were all ready to go.
Q: What is the most challenging thing about being in the chorus at Lyric Opera of Chicago?
Seely: The most challenging thing for me is the schedule. It’s hard to schedule regular clients because our schedule is different from day to day and week to week. Also, I’m a morning person and turn into a pumpkin at about 9 pm. Those late nights mess with me big time!
Q: What is your favorite thing about being in the full-time chorus at Lyric?
Seely: My favorite thing: my colleagues! I am blessed to work with one of the most talented, fun, lighthearted groups of people in opera! We just come here and play with each other every day. I’m going to miss my people so much!
Q: What is your favorite opera production/cast/performance from your time at Lyric?
Seely: There are a few ties for my favorite production.
“Die Meistersinger”: directed by my favorite, Sir David McVicar, I played a Lehrbuben and got to do a long, difficult dance that I enjoyed very much.
“Manon”: We had the same director as in “Die Meistersinger and it was my first production at Lyric. Sir David took each one of us by the hand and led us through our path, explaining what he wanted us to do and our whole back story. I was so spoiled. Most directors do not do that. Until “Cendrillon”, it was the best show I’d been in here. Jonas Kaufman and Natalie Dessay plus Sir David! Wow!
“Wozzek”: Again, Sir David McVicar was the director. We were only in like one scene, but again, the direction was special and individualized. And we got to dance! That was my first time staged with Bill Combs. We had lots of fun dancing fast around the stage and pretending to make out. He’s a great partner!
“Cendrillon”: now that was my favorite! Another amazing director, Laurent Pelly. He is just so bright and positive and again had separate, unique things for us all to do onstage. I played a sprite- one of the fairy godmother’s helpers. It’s such a treat as a chorus member to be part of a small group! It was a really enjoyable rehearsal experience. I showed up happy and excited to rehearse every day. We received great laughs from the audience each and every performance. My only regret is that we only had 6 performances. We could have done 10 for sure!
Q: Tell me your most memorable moment from your time at Lyric.
Seely: My most memorable experience is from the 2014 production of “Il Trovatore”. In the camp scene, Andrea Silvestrelli picked me up and spun me around in circles for a good, long time. We were on the season brochure! I’m going to order a copy of that photo to frame and hang in my house! So fun!
Q: What are your plans now that you are leaving/retiring from Lyric?
Seely: What am I doing now? I plan to sell my house here in IL and move with my daughter to Florida, near Orlando, run my health coaching business, and go to Disney as much as we want with our season tickets!
2018/19 Lyric Opera of Chicago Retiree Statistics
Statistics courtesy of Michael Black, Chorus Master
Walton Westlake
Mr. Westlake has been at Lyric Opera for 45 seasons starting his career in 1974. At Lyric Opera of Chicago he has performed in 2,764 Operatic Performances. He has been in 127 Operas including 7 World Premieres and has sung under the direction of every Chorus Master in Lyric Operas’ history. I think it is worth mentioning again that he sang at Lyric for 45 seasons!
Larry Montgomery
Mr. Montgomery has been at Lyric Opera for 36 seasons. At Lyric Opera of Chicago he has performed in 2,331 Operatic Performances. He has been in 135 Operas including 6 World Premieres and has sung under the direction of 6 Chorus Masters.
Steve Pierce
Mr. Pierce has been with Lyric Opera of Chicago for 24 seasons. He has performed 1,598 performances in 112 operas. He has been in 4 world premieres and has served under 4 chorus masters.
Jimmy Odom
Mr. Odom has been at Lyric Opera for 26 seasons and has served as President of the American Guild of Musical Artists for the last 12 years. At Lyric Opera of Chicago he has performed in 1,854 Operatic Performances not including his involvement in Lyric’s musical theater initiative. He has been in 128 Operas including 4 World Premieres and has sung under the direction of 4 Chorus Masters.
Laurie Seely
Ms.Seely has been at Lyric Opera for 11 seasons. She has performed in 721 Operatic Performances not including her involvement in Lyric’s musical theater initiative. She has been in 65 Operas including 1 World Premiere and has sung under the direction of 3 Chorus Masters.