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’S 2006 SEASON INCLUDES A RARE DOUBLE BILL, A MODERN TAKE ON MOZART, AND
THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF NIXON IN CHINA
CHICAGO, (November 18, 2005) – Chicago Opera Theater’s 2006 season will feature the Chicago premiere of a celebrated American opera, a double bill comprising tragic and comic love stories and the return of a Mozart favorite after a decade-long absence from the Windy City.
After a triumphant 2005 season that showcased La Resurrezione, Le nozze de Figaro and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, that was hailed as “beautiful and inspiring” by the Chicago Tribune, COT is raising the curtain on its impressive 2006 offerings that will feature the company’s signature style of creative interpretation and unique theatrical style.
General Director Brian Dickie said, “In 2006, as always, COT will proudly be bringing Chicago opera lovers things they can not find elsewhere: the modern premiere of Charles Dibdin's The Padlock - last seen in America, in New York, in 1769; and, at last, Chicago will see John Adams’s iconic Nixon in China. We complete our hand with masterpieces by Purcell and Mozart. Only at COT will your curiosity be so satisfied!”
COT will open its season February 15 with a creative pairing of comic and tragic love stories— The Padlock and Dido and Aeneas, by Charles Dibdin and Henry Purcell, respectively. The Padlock features the world premiere of conductor Raymond Leppard’s realization of Dibdin’s piano score and libretto. Renowned director, playwright and COT veteran Lillian Groag will cleverly interpret the opera’s sense of irony, with a cast that includes Leah Partridge in the role of Leonore and Jesper Taube as Don Diego.
In Purcell’s masterpiece—Dido and Aeneas—world-famous mezzo soprano and Chicago local Susanne Mentzer will perform the role of Dido. For the double bill Groag will re-team with La Resurrezione’s John Conklin, considered one of the foremost American designers.
--more--
The Abduction from the Seraglio (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), the company’s second production of the season, will mark the end of a decade-long absence of Mozart’s hilarious yet moving opera in Chicago. In January, conductor and COT mainstay Jane Glover’s new book, Mozart’s Women, will hit shelves in the United States, after having already enjoyed an ecstatic critical reception in England. Glover will team with Australian director Justin Way, whose past experience includes work with noted film director Baz Luhrmann. The production team is rounded out by two other Australians, designers Andrew Hays and Kimm Kovac, who are now riding the success of their popular Downunder television series, “The Heartland.” The Abduction from the Seraglio will mark the COT debut of Morris Robinson (Osmin), who garnered glowing reviews during his stint at the Metropolitan Opera.
COT’s final offering of the season is the Chicago premiere of John Adams’s masterful Nixon in China. Adams, considered the leading American opera composer of the day, uses the former President’s visit to China in 1972 to provide the backdrop for a profound examination of the human struggles of two couples—the Nixons and Chairman Mao and his wife. The large-scale production will feature the direction of James Robinson and will be conducted by COT’s resident conductor Alexander Platt. The opera, which premiered at the Houston Grand Opera in 1987, is a rich and rhythmic blend of music, theater and politics.
Season subscriptions are currently on sale and range from $105-$345. Subscriptions can be purchased by calling 312-704-8414 or online at ChicagoOperaTheater.org.
About Chicago Opera Theater
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 focuses on the greatest works of the 17th, 18th and 20th centuries. The 2006 season will be no exception, featuring the operas The Padlock, Dido and Aeneas, The Abduction from the Seraglio and Nixon in China.
COT opened the 2004 season in its new home, the 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 visit HarrisTheaterChicago.org.
.
--more--
THE PADLOCK/DIDO AND AENEAS
The Padlock
By Charles Dibdin, realized by Raymond Leppard
Libretto by Isaac Bickerstaff and Raymond Leppard
Sung in English with English supertitles
Dido and Aeneas
By Henry Purcell
Libretto by Nahum Tate
Sung in English with English supertitles
Performance Dates:
February 15, 17, 23, 25 7:30 p.m.
February 19 3 p.m.
Conducto: Raymond Leppard
Director: Lillian Groag
Scenery: John Conklin
Costumes: Martha Hally
Lighting: Robert Wierzel
Choreographer: Lynne Hockney
The Padlock Cast List (in order of appearance)
Don Diego: Jesper Taube
Ursula: Kate Mangiameli
Leonore: Leah Partridge
Leander: Matthew Garrett
Scholar One: Edwin Vega
Scholar Two: Jesse Blumberg
Dido and Aeneas Cast List (in order of appearance)
Belinda: Leah Partridge
Dido : Susanne Mentzer
Second Woman: Erika Buchholz
Aeneas: Jesper Taube
Sorceress: Kate Mangiameli
First Witch: Janai Brugger
Second Witch: Katherine Calcamuggio
Spirit: Lon Ellenberger
Sailor: Matthew Garrett
--more--
THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO
(DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL)
By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Christoph Friedrich Bretzner
Sung in German with English supertitles
Performance Dates:
May 3, 5, 11, 13 7:30 p.m.
May 7 3 p.m.
Conductor: Jane Glover
Director: Justin Way
Production Designer: Andrew Hays
Production Designer: Kimm Kovac
Lighting: Paul Palazzo
Cast List (in order of appearance)
Belmonte: Michael Colvin
Osmin: Morris Robinson
Konstanze: Leah Partridge
Blonde: Sarah Coburn
NIXON IN CHINA
By John Adams
Libretto by Alice Goodman
Sung in English with English supertitles
Performance Dates:
May 17, 19, 25, 27 7:30 p.m.
May 21 3 p.m.
Conductor: Alexander Platt
Director: James Robinson
Scenery: Allen Moyer
Costumes: James Schuette
Video: Wendall K. Harrington
Lighting: Paul Palazzo
Choreographer: Seán Curran
Cast List (in order of appearance)
Chou En-lai: Chen Ye Yuan
Richard Nixon: Robert Orth
Henry Kissinger: Kyle Albertson
Mao Tse-tung: Luis Yo
Pat Nixon: Maria Kanyova
Madame Mao: Kathleen Kim
# # #
