Chicago Opera Theater (COT), will present two major performances this May. First up will be “The Cook-Off,” by composer Shawn Okpebholo and librettist Mark Campbell on May 11, 2023. “The Cook-Off” will be the fourth world premiere that the company showcases as part of its Vanguard program, which is led by Elizabeth Morse and genius Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya. The opera will be {…}
The Board of Directors of Chicago Opera Theater announced it will launch a national search to replace Ashley Magnus, Stefan Edlis, and Gael Neeson General Director, who departs the company effective Friday, March 3, 2023. Magnus will be leaving the Chicago area to unite her family in Southwest Michigan where she and her husband opened the River Trade Brewing Company {…}
The Chicago Opera Theater is set to present the comic opera “Albert Herring” on Jan. 26 – 29, 2023 at the Athenaeum Center. The Britten opera will be presented under the direction of Dame Jane Glover, and stars Miles Mykkanen, in his company debut as Albert Herring. Other cast members include Whitney Morrison as Lady Billows, Leah Dexter as Mrs. Herring, Justin Berkowitz as {…}
Chicago Opera Theater has announced its 2022-23 season, which will celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. The season opens with Szymanowski’s “King Roger.” The work will be presented in partnership with Lira Ensemble as well as Apollo Chorus. Lidiya Yankovskaya, who has extended her contract with the company through 2024, will conduct with Dylan Evans directing. The cast includes Iwona Sobotka, {…}
Chicago Opera Theater is set to world premiere “Quamino’s Map” on April 23, 2022. The opera, which was composed by Errollyn Wallen and written by Deborah Brevoort, is inspired by S.I. Martin’s “Incomparable World.” The work tells the story of Juba Freeman who arrives in London after winning his freedom after fighting in the Revolutionary War. He meets Amelia Alumond, {…}
The Chicago Opera Theater is set to open its season with Bizet’s “Carmen.” The semi-staged production will give audiences a rare opportunity to hear two world-class dramatic mezzo-sopranos debut new roles opposite one another. Jamie Barton will make her role debut in the title role while Blythely Oratonio, the tenor alter ego of the legendary Stephanie Blythe, will sing his {…}
The Chicago Opera Theater has announced its 2021-22 season which will see a return to in-person performances. The season opens with a concert performance of Bizet’s “Carmen” with a COT twist. Jamie Barton will make her role debut opposite Stephanie Blythe in the tenor role of Don José as her tenor alter ego Blythely Oratonio. The performance will also star {…}
Four characters across generations come to terms with their identities as a major coming-out story was playing out on television. That is at the core of “The Puppy Episode,” a new work set to be showcased by Chicago Opera Theater as part of its Vanguard Emerging Opera Composer Residency. The work was composed by Matthew Recio in collaboration with librettist {…}
(Credit: Sean Su) Chicago Opera Theater (COT) will present “The Puppy Episode,” with music by Matthew Recio, a COT Vanguard Emerging Opera Composer. The premiere is scheduled for Saturday, March 20 at 7:30 P.M. Tickets are available for purchase until 7:30 P.M. the following day, and ticket-holders will have 24 hours to stream the opera. The Vanguard Emerging Opera Composer {…}
The Chicago Opera Theater has announced an update to its digital production slated for April 24, 2021. The company announced that instead of the previously announced Daniel Catán’s “Il Postino,” COT will perform the Chicago premiere of “La Hija de Rappaccini,” also by Catán. The staged Spanish-language opera will feature native Spanish speakers in principal roles and will be directed {…}
(Credit: Michael Brosilow) Chicago Opera Theater has announced an extensive digital 2020-21 season, which will feature five full operas. “Like most arts organizations, we’ve had to take stock of our values and strengths to determine how best to approach our season,” said Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson General Director Ashley Magnus in a press release. “For COT, the priority is {…}