The Opera Factory Founder Dame Blanche Artis Lewis Passes Away in Chicago

Dame Blanche Artis Lewis, whose company, The Opera Factory, produced Spanish Zarzuela in Chicago for 20 years, died early Friday morning at her home in Chicago. She was 86.

In 2010, on behalf of the King of Spain, His Majesty Don Juan Carlos I, Spanish Ambassador Ruperez bestowed the Order of Isabel the Catolica on Blanche Artis Lewis, in recognition of 20 years of producing and promoting the Spanish art form of Zarzuela through The Opera Factory, the Chicago company she founded in 1986. With this honor came the title Dame. This was a crowning moment in the career of Ms. Lewis, who had dedicated her life to the performing arts.

She was also president of OVATION! Management, a talent management company she operated with her husband, Alexander Boas, who died in 2011. She is survived by
long-time friends Donna Sadlicka, Barbara Landis and many dear friends and colleagues.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 16, from 10 am to 12 pm, with service at 12 pm, at Barr Funeral Home, 6222 N. Broadway in Chicago (773) 743-4034.

Donations can be made to Musicians Club of Women at www.musiciansclubofwomen.org or Midwest Palliative & Hospice Care Center at www.carecenter.org.

Blanche Artis Lewis was born on August 19, 1926, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and moved with her parents to Cicero, where she attendEd Morton High School. At 16, she was formally baptized in the Cicero Bible Church. She was a Youth for Christ soloist (founded by Rev. Billy Graham), sang at the Madison Street Gospel Tabernacle and won a gold medal at the Illinois High School State Alto Division. During World War II she organized bake sales for the USO and performances at veteran's hospitals and bases through the Red Cross.

While singing at the Chicago Temple, a fellow performer told her about auditions in Chicago for the chorus of two productions with New York City Opera. She sang the audition, then promptly forgot about it. Her father asked her some days later about the results. She really hadn't heard. He then showed her an article with her photo in the Chicago Tribune noting that she was one of seven singers out of 460 selected to sing in "Aida" and "Le coq d'or."

Lewis performed at Highland Park Music Theater, Grant Park, Peninsula Players, as well as churches, synagogues, nightclubs, conventions, radio and television. Acquiring an agent, she went on tour for Community Concerts for three years.

After a USO tour in Germany, she resumed her career in Chicago, went on a blind date with Alexander Boas and immediately fell in love. Boas encouraged her singing, realizing she had an unusually beautiful contralto voice. He supported her move to New York City, where she was lead contralto for the American Savoyards, the famed company that performed Gilbert and Sullivan. The proudest moment in her singing career came from a review in The New York Times of "Iolanthe:" "Lewis' performance as the Fairy Queen must not be overlooked."

While performing in New York she had the good fortune to meet Carroll Donner Stuchell, who encouraged her to study in Europe and provided funds to attend the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and additional studies in Munich and Berlin. A highlight of her stay in Europe was performing at the Mandai, Norway Music Festival.

Lewis attended Roosevelt University Chicago Musical College, where she received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance in 1970, and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance in 1971. Her new life as a teacher, director and producer began. She was the second woman to be hired as a voice teacher at Notre Dame University. In 1974, she went to the University of Tulsa as assistant professor of voice, opera workshop, musical theater and art song repertoire.

In 1977, she returned to Chicago to open a private studio. Her desire to give students opportunities to perform led to the beginnings of The Opera Factory. Receiving a bequest from her patron, Carroll Donner Stuchell, Lewis realized a dream of producing opera in 1986. The Opera Factory presented Spanish Zarzuela with orchestra, costumes and sets, continuing through 2000. Zarzuela had always been an interest, even though Lewis had never seen one and spoke no Spanish. The company was recognized nationally with grants from the United States, Mexico and Spain.

Lewis also founded OVATION! Management and, along with Alexander Boas, represented top artists in the field of opera, dance, folk, classical music, and variety. A highlight for the agency was the engagement of Russian bass Vladimir Matorin at the Metropolitan Opera in 2004. Blanche Artis Lewis and Alexander Boas were married in 2008, after 50 years of courtship.

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