Chicago Opera Theater's 2013 Season
Andreas Mitisek's first season as general director of Chicago Opera Theater, in 2013, is marked by much the same adventuresome spirit for which he is known at the Long Beach Opera, which he also directs. Each of the three operas will receive four performances at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.
Opening the season will be Philip Glass' "The Fall of the House of Usher," which is based on the classic horror tale by Edgar Allan Poe. Performances are Feb. 23-March 1.
Mitisek himself will conduct and stage Astor Piazzolla's "Maria de Buenos Aires," April 20-28. This will be a co-production with Long Beach, which presented the so-called "tango operita" earlier this year.
The season will conclude in fall 2013 with Verdi's "Giovanna d'Arco" ("Joan of Arc"). COT's contribution to the Verdi bicentennial will run Sept. 14-22.
The director says he's particularly excited about presenting the Chicago premiere of the Glass work, which has received scant attention in the U.S. following its 1988 premiere by the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass. Ken Cazan will direct. "Glass' music really enhances the story, really draws you in with its hypnotic, pulsating rhythmic patterns. It's a brilliant piece and I'm stunned it isn't performed more often."
"Maria de Buenos Aires" (1967) he describes as "a metaphor for the heart and soul of Argentina and, for me, a metaphor for love, hope, fear and resilience."
"Giovanna d'Arco" was the winner of COT's People's Opera fundraiser in 2010. In all probability this will be the Chicago professional stage premiere. "The work is a little challenging dramaturgically, but I'm in discussion with a very good stage director," Mitisek says. Further castings and production details will be announced later.
Mitisek says he's is "very confident" he will be able to raise the $250,000 in additional funding it will require for COT to mount a fourth, site-specific production elsewhere in the city next season.
Season subscriptions to Chicago Opera Theater's 2013 season are on sale. The company's 2012 Harris Theater season holds Shostakovich's "Moscow, Cheryomushki," April 14-25; Handel's "Teseo" (April 21-May 2); and Mozart's "The Magic Flute" (Sept. 15-23). 312-704-8414, chicagooperatheater.org.