Celebrated Lyric Opera publicist dies

CHICAGO -- A celebrated publicist for Lyric Opera of Chicago for almost 50 years has died.

A Lyric Opera statement says Danny Newman died at his suburban Chicago home Saturday night of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 88.

His wife, Alyce Newman, was with him when he died at their Lincolnwood home.

Danny Newman was press agent and public relations counsel for Lyric Opera from 1954 until his retirement in 2002.

The company's general director, William Mason, called Danny Newman "one of the godfathers of Lyric Opera."

During his career, Newman helped revolutionize how live performances are marketed to audiences through subscription ticket sales.

Newman is also survived by two stepsons.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m Tuesday at Weinstein Funeral Homes, 111 Skokie Blvd. in Wilmette.