Photo Flash: Inside Lyric Opera of Chicago's Diamond Ball & Concert with Jane Lynch, Jenn Gambatese & More

Lyric Opera of Chicago celebrated its glorious history and future Saturday, November 1, with a star-studded 60th Anniversary Concert at the Civic Opera House beginning at 6:30pm - sixty years to the day after the company officially launched its very first season.

Jane Lynch, the force-of-nature comedic actress and Illinois native, rocked the house in her Lyric debut as master of ceremonies. Lynch mixed it up with an internationally acclaimed roster of musical artists including Lyric creative consultant Rene?e Fleming and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis, plus opera stars Stephanie Blythe, Johan Botha, Christine Goerke, Susan Graham, Jenn Gambatese, Quinn Kelsey, Ana Mari?a Marti?nez, Eric Owens, Marina Rebeka, and Amber Wagner.

Returning to wreak merry havoc on the opera-house stage were ensemble members from The Second City. Writer-performers Kate James and Tim Sniffen were joined by RaShawn Scott and Steve Waltien drew appreciative laughter from the near-capacity crowd. Sketches included a Sound of Music sendup featuring Rene?e Fleming and Jane Lynch.

Current artists and alumni of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, Lyric's premier artist-development program that is celebrating its 40th season, were also featured on the program. Sir Andrew Davis conducted the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus (Michael Black, chorus master).

Photos Courtesy of Lyric Opera of Chicago