Press Releases
Contact:
Colleen Flanigan
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
312-704-8420 ext. 25
cflanigan@chicagooperatheater.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Redemption, Romance, and Passion Highlight Chicago Opera Theater’s
2005 Season, Opening March 2, 2005
(Chicago, Ill.) Chicago Opera Theater’s 2005 season will feature a U.S. premiere, the remake of a classic, an operatic dream, and the production of three theatrical, comedic and literary treasures: Handel’s La Resurrezione, Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, and Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
After an extraordinary 2004 season with the Chicago premiere of two productions, an abundance of international and critically-acclaimed artists, productions hailed as “nearly flawless” and “wonderfully evocative” by the Chicago Tribune, and a new home at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the 2005 season promises to be just as impressive with multiple artists’ debuts, the return of many favorites, and a line-up of contemporary and innovative productions.
A U.S. premiere will open COT’s 2005 season on March 2nd, when Handel’s oratorio, La Resurrezione is fully-staged for the first time by an American opera company. Resurrezione also marks the return of director Lillian Groag from her triumphant COT production of Agrippina in 2003 while Chicago favorite and Baroque music expert Jane Glover conducts. Performing in the production is Nathalie Paulin, who returns from her performances in Acis and Galatea and Semele to sing the role of Mary, Sarah Coburn debuts with COT in the role of Angel, and Derrick Parker returns from his noteworthy performance as Claudio in Agrippina to sing the role of Lucifer.
Chicagoans will see a timeless classic reborn when they attend COT’s second opera of the season, Le nozze di Figaro. Conductor Jane Glover and director Diane Paulus will collaborate for the fifth time, while set designer Robert Brill returns to COT for a second season to create a Figaro like no other. The production will also mark the return of Jane Archibald (Susanna) from Agrippina, Krisztina Szabó (Countess Almaviva) from L’incoronazione di Poppea, and Alexander Tall (Count Almaviva) and Fredrik Zetterström (Bartolo) from Il viaggio a Reims.
Chicago Opera Theater’s commitment to Benjamin Britten operas will continue with the third and final production of the season, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Internationally acclaimed opera director Andrei Serban, also known for his contemporary takes on Shakespeare, will direct and COT Resident Conductor and Music Advisor Alexander Platt will conduct. Soprano Danielle de Niese, whose performance as Poppea in last season’s L’incoronazione di Poppea was hailed by the Chicago Tribune as ravishing “with all the floating, sensuous lyricism the role demands,” will return to sing the role of Tytania. Counter-tenor Tobias Cole will also return to sing the role of Oberon after his acclaimed performances as Ottone in L’incoronazione di Poppea and Apollo in Death in Venice.
- More -
For Immediate Release
COT Announces its 2005 Season
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In addition to its three main-stage productions, COT will also present a special outreach opera, Finding Yolanda, an original adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta, conducted by Alexander Platt and directed by Andrew Eggert. The production will feature children from COT’s partner schools in many of the roles and will be performed at the Vittum Theater on Chicago’s north side.
Since its first season in 1974, Chicago Opera Theater 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 2005 season will be no exception, featuring the operas La Resurrezione, Le nozze di Figaro, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
COT opened 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.
