Lyric Opera chorus master quits
Martin Wright, chorus master of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, has abruptly resigned from the post, less than halfway through his first season on the job.
In a cryptic two-sentence statement released Saturday morning, the company said that Wright had resigned “for health reasons.”
After an international search, Wright was hired in March of 2011, Lyric Opera even waiting a year for him to take up the position due to a previous commitment with Netherlands Opera.
For a company that prides itself on administrative stability this sudden departure creates something of a revolving door in a key artistic position with the Lyric ensemble led by three different chorus masters (Donald Nally, Michael Black and Wright) in as many years.
Lyric general director Anthony Freud will soon announce details on an interim replacement for Wright for the remainder of the 2012-13 season, the company stated.
Posted in News
4 Responses to “Lyric Opera chorus master quits”
Leave a Comment
Subscribe via RSS.
Posted Nov 18, 2012 at 4:49 pm by Lex Wiersma
I’d take the job today. So please contact me, I would be able to start as soon as the plane lands.
Posted Nov 19, 2012 at 12:53 pm by Tod Verklärung
Does this suggest some sort of systemic problem? What is it that the choral directors are finding when they arrive? I’ve heard that Wright is quite a fine musician and an excellent choral director. Is there more to this story that explains the three departures?
Posted Nov 20, 2012 at 2:15 am by MWnyc
From what I understand, and for what it’s worth, at least Donald Nally didn’t leave because of any problems with Lyric Opera. He left to concentrate on developing the (terrific) professional choir he founded in Philadelphia called The Crossing.
Posted Nov 20, 2012 at 6:07 am by Rob
The first 2 were planned short term. This one was not. I have heard from direct sources that it was a a personal/health problem.