Chicago — May 26, 2026 — The Lyric Opera of Chicago has received a $20 million donation from the Illinois‑based Negaunee Foundation, marking one of the largest gifts in the company’s history. The funds will expand Lyric’s educational programming and ensure that Mozart’s works remain a permanent part of its Downtown stage repertoire.
Half of the gift will support Lyric’s education program, which will be renamed for Negaunee. The initiative will broaden in‑school and family outreach, strengthen partnerships with the Merit School of Music, and advance collaboration with the Music Institute of Chicago. Lyric President and CEO John Mangum, now completing his second year in leadership, said engaging young audiences is essential to cultivating the next generation of opera lovers.
The remaining $10 million will establish the Negaunee Fund for Mozart, guaranteeing at least one Mozart opera each season. The fund will support both revivals and new productions, ensuring the composer’s enduring presence at Lyric. The upcoming season opens in October with Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” completing the company’s presentation of the Mozart‑Da Ponte trilogy that began with The Marriage of Figaro and Così fan tutte.
The Negaunee Foundation, led by philanthropists Richard W. Colburn and Robin Colburn, previously donated $21 million to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2024. This latest contribution arrives at a challenging time for classical arts, as many institutions face declining philanthropic and government support.
Lyric’s leadership described the gift as a transformative investment in the company’s artistic future and educational mission, reaffirming Chicago’s role as a vibrant center for opera and cultural innovation.
