Chicago loses an artistic leader Operanorman lebrecht August 06, 2026Staff at the Lyric Opera have been told that Andreas Melinat,Vice President, Artistic Planning, will be leaving in November after 26 years. Andy was responsible for contracting the principal singers, conductors, directors, and choreographers. Bejore joining Lyric he worked seven years as a singers’ agent at CAMI, so he knew both sides of the equation. He’ll be missed.