Lyric Opera 2025-2026 Issue 9 - Madama Butterfly

9 | Lyric Opera of Chicago The splendid offerings on the Ken Pigott stage at the Lyric Opera House have always been the company’s calling card to the world. But since 1988, another kind of production has garnered a great deal of international attention as well. It’s the Lyric Wine Auction, one of the most dazzling dates on Chicago’s social calendar (and certainly the city’s most significant wine event of any kind). A signature initiative of Lyric’s Women’s Board, the event has evolved, survived the pandemic, and raised significant funds for Lyric for several decades now. What hasn’t changed is the festive environment — a sense that it’s a great party, for a great cause — and that it’s worth the wait. As with wine, the rarity of the auction is part of its appeal. “There’s a lot of excitement about it, particularly since it’s only done every three years,” says Karen Z. Krehbiel, current president of the Women’s Board — and, for some time now, a leading force in the auction. “It’s an opportunity for a lot of creativity, and to share incredible wines, and above all it’s a really fun weekend. It’s about celebrating friendships and shared passions.” The wine world’s book of record, Wine Spectator , named the Lyric event a “Top Charity Wine Auction,” and evidence backs that assessment. Since its inception, the event has brought in close to $15 million in support, a generous tally from the guests in attendance and those bidding from afar. The funds raised support all the efforts of the company — onstage productions, of course, but also programs like Lyric’s education and engagement efforts for children and adults across the community, the training of professional artists, and even the creation of new works. This season’s edition, to be held May 8 and 9, promises to be every bit as stellar as in years past, and there are a couple of fun twists — literally. Krehbiel, and the event’s co-chairs Jenni Sorenson and John Holmes, have deemed the weekend “A Divine Duet.” That refers to two true firsts in the auction’s history: Not only are Sorenson and Holmes the first to co-chair as a couple, but also there will be two honored guests instead of the usual one — Chateau Cheval Blanc, from the Bordeaux region, and Domaine Faiveley, from Burgundy, will be honored. “One reason we’re doing that is really because, at home, we can’t decide if we love Bordeaux or Burgundy more,” laughs Sorenson, who is also a member of the Women’s Board. “They are the two most legendary wine producing regions in the world, so we thought: Why don’t we have both?” Representing Chateau Cheval Blanc is proprietor Pierre Lurton, an important figure in Bordeaux and beyond. Cheval Blanc rests on a storied plot of land that has seen grape production since Roman times, and the estate is widely acknowledged as the greatest producer in the St. Emilion region. Lurton’s family has been a key Board chair Sylvia Neil and Amy Carbone from the Board of Directors enjoy the 2023 auction. Diane M.Smutny