Before she was an esteemed soprano gracing the stages of renowned opera houses, Karen Slack was simply “Special K.” It was the nickname her friends bestowed upon her during her childhood in Philadelphia. Yes, they were referencing the popular Kellogg’s cereal brand.
But they also perceived a uniqueness in their comrade. “I think my friends were just like, ‘There’s something different about her,’” said Slack, now 48. “Even before the singing.
” That special quality has followed Slack into her 30-year opera career. It’s not just her extraordinary voice that allows her to stand out among other singers. She is praised for her advocacy for women and people of color in the industry; her innovative arts programming; and her community engagement.
It’s for those reasons that the Lyric Opera of Chicago has selected her as the Lyric Unlimited’s Artist-in-Residence for the 2024-2025 season. Slack made her Lyric debut ten years ago as Serena in “Porgy and Bess.” She will kick off her return on Aug.
25 at the “Sunday in the Park with Lyric” concert in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park. But Chicago audiences can catch her even earlier at the on June 19, and during the premiere of her “African Queens” program Aug. 1 at the “It just felt really natural to bring someone like Karen in with her very clear artistic and creative vision and goals, and the work that she does in the opera performing community, but also in the civic community,” said .
