Lyric Names Civic Opera House Stage After Kenneth G. Pigott

Lyric Opera general director Anthony Freud announced that the stage of the Civic Opera House has been named for Kenneth G. Pigott, who served as Lyric's president and CEO from 2011 until his death on February 13.

The announcement was made during the company's "Celebrating Ken" concert Friday afternoon in the Ardis Krainik Theatre of the Civic Opera House. Addressing the large gathering, Freud stated, "Ken was a force of nature. He was omnipresent at Lyric. His wisdom, commitment, business acumen and generosity made him an exceptional board leader. What made him truly unique was that he combined these qualities with an extraordinary passion for and depth of knowledge of our art form. He understood and passionately embraced, both emotionally and intellectually, Lyric's absolute commitment to world-class excellence.

"In permanent recognition of Ken's unique contribution to Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Civic Opera House, we are naming our stage The Ken Pigott Stage."

In addition to Freud, speakers included Lyric's interim president and CEO Richard P. Kiphart, who also serves as the company's chairman; Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric's music director; and Renée Fleming, Lyric's creative consultant.

"The stage is the true heart of Lyric and of opera, and Ken was so passionate about our company and our art form," said Kiphart. "It is wonderfully fitting that our stage will bear his name."

Internationally acclaimed artists with close ties to Lyric performed with the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus under Sir Andrew Davis:

• Matthew Polenzani - "Dalla sua pace," from Mozart's Don Giovanni
• Jamie Barton - "O mon Fernand" from Donizetti's La favorite
• Amanda Majeski - "Song to the Moon" from Dvo?ák's Rusalka
• Ryan Opera Center, current/former members - "Serenade to Music" by Vaughan Williams
• Brandon Jovanovich - "In fernem Land" from Wagner's Lohengrin
• Ferruccio Furlanetto - "Ella giammai m'amò" from Verdi's Don Carlo
• Sir Andrew Davis - a musical tribute from Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance
• Renée Fleming - "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel

With the Pritzker Family Concert Shell created for Lyric by Jeanne Gang and Studio Gang Architects framing the stage, the Lyric Opera Orchestra opened the program with the prelude to Act One from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, and closed the concert with the prelude to Act One from Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. The Lyric Opera Chorus joined the orchestra for "Freudig begrüssen wir die edle Halle" (Entrance of the Guests) from Wagner's Tannhäuser and "Va pensiero" from Verdi's Nabucco.

Those attending "Celebrating Ken" included Lyric board members, fulltime and seasonal company staff, many members of Pigott's family and his wide circle of friends, civic and cultural leaders, and patrons and fans of Lyric Opera.

"Ken was a passionate opera fan whose favorite opera company in the world was Lyric Opera of Chicago," said Jane DiRenzo Pigott, his wife. "He would be deeply honored and very proud to know that the stage will bear his name. It is a beautiful way for him to remain an integral part of each future Lyric performance."

Ken Pigott was deeply committed to Lyric Opera of Chicago for many years, having served as a member of the Board of Directors since 1998 and as the company's president and CEO since 2011. He was a visionary leader with extraordinary business acumen and a deep passion for opera.

Ken was instrumental in the discussions that led to Renée Fleming's appointment as the company's creative consultant in 2010, and also chaired the international search that resulted in the appointment of Anthony Freud as the company's general director in 2011. He led Lyric's strategic planning process that garnered unanimous board approval. The plan embraces the core values of excellence, relevance, and fiscal responsibility.

Ken was managing partner of Vaduz Partners LLC, a private investment company specializing in information technology services. He served as a board member of OPERA America and received its prestigious National Opera Trustee Recognition Award in 2014. He also served as a board member of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Chicago Children's Hospital, and the Merit School of Music.