Anthony Freud to Retire as Head of Lyric Opera of Chicago at End of 2023-24 Season

Anthony Freud, general director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, poses on the mezzanine overlooking the foyer at the Lyric on Dec. 11, 2014. (AP Photo / M. Spencer Green, File)Anthony Freud, general director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, poses on the mezzanine overlooking the foyer at the Lyric on Dec. 11, 2014. (AP Photo / M. Spencer Green, File)

CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Freud will retire as general director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago at the end of the season, ending a 13-year tenure.

Freud, who made the announcement Wednesday, turns 66 in October and intends to return to Britain after the season.

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Freud’s tenure included the world premieres of Jimmy López’s “Bel Canto” in 2015 based on the 2001 Ann Patchett novel and this year’s “Proximity," a triptych composed by Caroline Shaw, Daniel Bernard Roumain and John Luther Adams.

Freud was director of the Welsh National Opera from 1994-2005 and the Houston Grand Opera from 2006-11. He is the Lyric Opera’s fourth head following Carol Fox (1954-80), Ardis Krainik (1981-97) and William Mason (1997-2011).


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