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Patricia Barretto

Patricia Barretto was a shining light and an inspiration to all. Born in Mumbai in 1974, she moved to Canada to create a successful life and career.

A custodian of the arts, Patricia was the Executive Director at Opera Atelier in Toronto, Canada and later became the President & CEO of the Harris Theatre for Music and Dance in Chicago, USA.

In 2016, Patricia was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. After a long and arduous battle, Patricia sadly passed away on March 3, 2020 at the age of 45. 

A doting mother and wife, a caring sister and friend, and an encouraging, enthusiastic colleague, Patricia will be remembered fondly as “a charming and vibrant force who always saw the light and rarely spotted darkness.”

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Early Life

Patricia was born in Mumbai and completed B.A. in English Literature in India before moving to Toronto. She began her twenty-year career in the arts in the box office of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, later working in the marketing department at TSO, followed by The Royal Conservatory and Canadian Stage.

Patricia had an immeasurable impact on Opera Atelier, shepherding the company through its most important European tours, and building lasting relationships with the Royal Opera House, Versailles, the Salzburg Festival, the Glimmerglass Festival, and La Scala. Patricia built a strong staff team at Opera Atelier, and was well-loved by everyone she worked with, from artists to patrons to volunteers.

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Her Work

Patricia had an immeasurable impact on Opera Atelier, shepherding the company through its most important European tours. Patricia built a strong staff team at Opera Atelier, and was well-loved by everyone she worked with, from artists to patrons to volunteers.

Patricia joined the Harris Theater executive team as Vice President of Sales and Marketing in 2015 and was appointed the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols President and CEO of the Theater in 2017.

From the Harris Theater Staff: “Patricia’s vision for the Harris was to be a home for music and dance, with all that entails. She believed that the arts transcend boundaries and area powerful tool to foster empathy and connection, which is reflected in the culture she created within our team.”

Patricia served on the juries for Canada Council for the Arts and Toronto Arts Council, appeared on the 2018 Giving USA panel, and spoke about her vision for the arts in panels and conversations hosted by the Guggenheim Museum, Chicago Women in Philanthropy, and many more.

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“If Barretto asks big, she delivers even bigger. It’s because she says, she believes.”

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“Patricia was one of our greatest sources of support and inspiration — loving, protective and tireless in her support of us personally and professionally. It is impossible to imagine our world without her. It is one of the greatest personal losses of our lives.”

“Jeannette and I had the privilege of spending an hour with her one week ago,” says Pynkoski. “Her first words upon seeing us were ‘I’m so grateful, I’m so grateful, I’m so grateful.’ We can only echo the same.”

Opera Atelier Co-Artistic Directors Marshall Pynkoski C.M. and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg C.M.

Barretto was " an extraordinary woman," who “leaves behind an exceptional example of what arts leadership looks like.”

Lauren Warnecke, the editor of See Chicago Dance and a freelance critic for the Tribune