Since October 2011, Anthony Freud has led Lyric Opera of Chicago’s artistic and business operations, directed strategic planning, conceived new artistic initiatives, and forged significant relationships with other cultural and community organizations.

Previously, Freud served as general director at Houston Grand Opera (2006-11) and Welsh National Opera (1994-2005).

A former board chair of OPERA America and Opera Europa, Freud has served on juries of numerous international vocal competitions.  He is an honorary fellow of Cardiff University and of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, as well as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Freud served as the trustee representing both Wales and the performing arts for the U.K.’s National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), a $500 million national endowment promoting talent and creativity.

Freud was born and raised in London, where his Hungarian parents had come as war refugees—his mother as a survivor of Auschwitz. He attended his first opera at age 4 and by age 14 knew he wanted to run an opera company. Freud graduated with honors with a law degree from the University of London King’s College, and then qualified as an attorney, but chose instead to follow his passion for opera.