Lyric Opera of Chicago's Names Chief Artistic Administration Officer

In his new role, Matthew Ozawa will head several departments of Lyric Opera of Chicago. His duties will include casting soloists and artistic planning, administration of music, and overseeing The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center and Lyric’s company management department.

He is currently Interim Head of the organization's learning and creative engagement division, Lyric Unlimited.

Previously, Ozawa served three years as an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre & Dance. He also spent five years as the Founder and Artistic Director of Mozawa, a Chicago-based incubator advancing collaborative art and artists.

"I am delighted to welcome Matthew as our new CAAO," said Anthony Freud, Lyric's general director, president & CEO. "Beyond his considerable work for and at Lyric, he has extensive experience as a director working with companies around the country. Matthew is also an artistic director and educator, with experience in disciplines ranging from opera and musical theater to dance and visual arts."

Ozawa was brought up in California before living in Singapore, and later graduated from United World College of South East Asia and Oberlin Conservatory. He has led productions with the San Francisco Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Opera Colorado, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Sante Fe Opera, among many others.

Lyric described Ozawa as someone who was "passionate about collaborative interdisciplinary performance, new work, and reigniting classics."

His productions have taken the company to renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and Opera Theatre of St. Louis, among many others.