This weekend at the Chicago Theater, Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya led the end-of-series performance of Mark Adamo’s one-act opera. Become Santa Claus. Few people realized that she had just given birth.

Here is his story:

#babybump at last week’s opening, and 3-day #newbaby as I lead this week’s closing!

I am fortunate to work at the Chicago Opera Theater with #bosslady Ashley Magnus, who believes in my power to have a say in my body and trusts me to do my job, and Brittany Nelson who is always there for me support 110% in all situations. thank’s for [assistant conductor] Eli Chen for being ready to step in beautifully for Friday’s show, and the entire cast, orchestra and production crew for their incredible performance throughout #BecomingSantaClaus!

When I first started leading, several people told me that women shouldn’t do this job because of its “physical demands”. They were never able to explain to me what these extreme demands could be (they are certainly not much compared to childbirth!). When I had my first child, several people told me that no one wanted to see a conductor pregnant, that you could not conduct while taking care of a newborn baby and that, for a woman , having children and leading are incompatible. I also realized at the time that I had hardly any role models in this business, none in the United States (thanks to Simone Young for leading the way and her fellow Australians Jessica Gethin and Natalie Murray Beale, as well. as many non-conductor colleagues, for your advice!). Many of you have told me horror stories. But, I have also been so, so lucky to be surrounded by a few exceptionally supportive colleagues in very large musical organizations.

Let this ridiculous and sexist stigma continue to disappear. Pregnancy and childbirth are a personal matter, which should not lead others to define a woman’s ability to fulfill herself. Give support to women when they need it and when they ask for it, but NEVER assume that pregnancy or parenthood will prevent someone from doing what they have done before.

I have to admit here that this is all made possible by the amazing Dan Schwartz, who truly views having children as an equal partnership and supports me every step of the way in all my endeavors. I also note that, like anything else in life, not all women have the same level of health, privilege, and support. I feel extremely lucky.