Joan of Arc

(Giovanna d'Arco)

By Giuseppe Verdi

STRIKING. TRAGIC. BRAVE. AWE-INSPIRING.

September 21 @ 7:30PM

September 25th @ 7:30PM 

September 27th@ 7:30PM

September 29th @ 3:00PM 

**Please Note-Due to scheduling conflicts, the original dates of Joan of Arc (September 14, 18, 20 & 22) have been move one week.**

Verdi's seventh opera is a bold and vivid portrayal of the iconic Joan of Arc, a woman
sacrificing everything in fighting for her beliefs and her country. The young Verdi excels in writing some of his most brilliant orchestral and choral music for this passionate story. Chosen by our audiences to celebrate Verdi's 200th birthday, this poignant piece assures an evening of vocal fireworks and gripping drama.

Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

 

More About the Opera:

Synopsis- The year is 1429. Citizens and officials of Carlo VII, king of France, fear the worst in the war with England: Orléans is holding out, but barely. Carlo arrives: afflicted by the thought of how his people are suffering he plans to give himself up to the enemy: he has dreamt of a place in the middle of the forest where there is a painting of the Virgin Mary, and he has been ordered to lay his helmet and sword at the image's feet.

Composer Biography - Born in the Duchy of Parma in Le Roncole, at that time under Napoleon's occupation, he moved to Busseto in 1824 where he started his musical studies with Ferdinando Provesi. Verdi is also known as 'the swan from Busseto'.

Librettist Biography - Solera started out very young as a poet and novelist following studies in music and literature. Between 1840 and 1845 he composed four operas with his own librettos; none were successful. His fame as a librettist was affirmed only when he started working in collaboration with Giuseppe Verdi, who was at the start of his long career.

GiueseppeVerdi.it - Official site of Giueseppe Verdi.

JoanofArc.info - A website about all things Joan!

Chicago Opera Theater performs at the

205 E Randolph Drive