Chicago Opera Theater is set to close its 2025-26 season with the concert premiere of a new opera “Trusted,” the seventh full-length opera developed through COT’s Vanguard Initiative.

The work is composed by Aaron Israel Levin to a libretto by Marella Martin Koch and was developed over the course of Levin’s two year tenure as COT’s Vanguard Composer.

“Trusted” will be presented on May 30 at The Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building.

In a statement COT’s General Director Lawrence Edelson said, “It’s easy to imagine that new operas arrive fully formed from the minds of a composer and librettist. In reality, they are built over time—through collaboration, experimentation, and the opportunity to hear the work come to life at different stages of its development. This past fall, we invited audiences not only to experience an early version of this exciting new work, but to actively engage with it—offering invaluable feedback to Aaron and Marella through Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. By opening the workshop process to the public, we’re able to bring fresh perspective to the creators while also demystifying how a new opera actually comes into being. The insights we gathered during that first workshop were instrumental as Aaron and Marella continued refining the piece in advance of the upcoming Concert World Premiere.”

The world premiere will be conducted by Eli Chen. The cast features sopranos Tracy Cantin and Meghan Kasanders, mezzo-soprano Quinn Middleman, and bass-baritone Kyle Albertson. Kate Pitt serves as dramaturg.

Read Related Stories 

• Chicago Opera Theater to Present Workshop of ‘Trusted’