Press Releases
Contact:
Colleen Flanigan
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
312-704-8420 ext. 25
cflanigan@chicagooperatheater.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO OPERA THEATER ANNOUNCES ITS OUTREACH OPERA,
MOZART’S THE IMPRESARIO
(Chicago, Ill.) Opera will be fun, educational, and even interactive when Chicago Opera Theater presents The Impresario, the first touring workshop of the successful Opera For All Program. This workshop will provide students in the audience the opportunity to actively participate in the production of an opera.
The Impresario, composed by W.A. Mozart, is an opera about an audition and the rivalry that results as two sopranos compete for the lead role by trying to out-sing each other. In the style of a daytime talk show, the Impresario will host, interviewing each of the battling singers. Four of COT’s singers, Sarah Gartshore, Jessica Usherwood, Robert Boldin, and Brian Herriott will be featured in the production directed by Andrew Eggert.
As part of the workshop, the audience will go behind the scenes to find out how an opera is produced. Students will be asked to make decisions concerning makeup, costumes, set pieces and theatrical lighting. Once all decisions are made about the production, singers will perform the opera as determined.
“If you don’t know anything about opera, there is no better way to be introduced,” says Deborah Oberschelp, Director of Operations and Education at Chicago Opera Theater. “It is educational, entertaining and best of all, it is a top quality performance. The subject of the opera, competition and rivalry, is one everyone can relate to and the music and production are appealing for all ages.”
The Opera for All workshop will tour ten different Chicago area schools in addition to three performances that are open to the public and free of charge. Elementary school, middle school, and high school performances will be tailored to the age of the audience. Families with children ages 8 and up are encouraged to attend the free performances on March 13th and 19th where parents and children will have the opportunity to learn and explore their creative sides together.
Through the partnership with Chicago Public Schools, COT has produced several operas for the students of Chicago including Benjamin Britten's Noah's Flood, a hands-on learning experience where students worked alongside singers, orchestra members, directors and designers; Susan Kander's She Never Lost a Passenger, a story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad; and Hans Krása’s Brundibár, directed by Thor Steingraber with sets and costumes by Maurice Sendak,author and illustrator of Where the Wild Things Are.
In September 2000, Chicago Opera Theater, with the guidance of the Chicago Public Schools, focused its arts education program on young people by establishing the Opera For All Program.
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For Immediate Release
COT Presents The Impresario
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As part of this program, COT is committed to providing in-depth music and arts experiences for students in underserved schools. Three COT Teaching Fellows are charged with developing close working relationships with the principal, teachers, and parents of our partner schools to build awareness of music and opera in the school community. COT’s partner schools are, Suder and Audubon Elementary Schools and Curie and Roosevelt High Schools.
Chicago Opera Theater provides Chicago Public School students at COT’s partner schools the tools to study music, learn to sing and play an instrument, and participate in concert and opera performances. In the four partner schools, Chicago Opera Theater has created a successful model program including weekly after-school chorus and recorder lessons with COT teaching fellows. Abundant opera-related workshops and activities take place throughout the school year, and as a result, opera has been embraced by many students.
Free Public Performances
March 13, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. March 19, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
Roosevelt University, Room 1080 Chicago Cultural Center,
431 S. Wabash in Chicago Preston Bradley Hall
78 E. Washington in Chicago
March 13, 2004 at 4 p.m.
Audubon Elementary School
3500 N. Hoyne
This year’s school workshops
Tuesday, March 9: Curie High School
Wednesday, March 10: Audubon Elementary School and
Latin School of Chicago Middle School
Thursday, March 11: Walter Payton High School
Friday, March 12: Whitney Young High School
and A.G. Bell School Elementary School
Saturday, March 13: Audubon Elementary School
Monday, March 15: Suder Elementary School
Tuesday, March 16: Schurz High School
Thursday, March 18: Roosevelt High School
Friday, March 19: Taft High School Academic Center
Since its first season in 1974, Chicago Opera Theater (COT) has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago. Under the leadership of General Director Brian Dickie, COT has become the company to watch with its wide range of operatic repertoire that includes the greatest works of the 17th, 18th, and 20th centuries. The 2004 season is no exception, featuring the operas L’incoronazione di Poppea, Death in Venice, and Il viaggio a Reims.
COT will open the 2004 season in its new home, the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park. This modern, state-of-the-art theater is conveniently located at 205 E. Randolph. For more information, call (312) 704-8420 x10 or visit our website at www.chicagooperatheater.org.
