Chicago Opera Theater Presents HE/SHE May 7-8

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) presents the final production of their 2011 Spring Festival Season: "He/She", which includes Schumann's Frauenliebe und Leben (A Woman's Love and Life) and Janá?ek's The Diary of One Who Disappeared (Zápisník zmizelého) on May 7 and 8 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

As announced last March, due to budget cuts, "He/She" replaces Shostakovich's Moscow, Cheryomushki, the People's Opera Winner of 2009. Moscow, Cheryomushki will now be presented in April of 2012.

These two works by Schumann and Janá?ek will be presented in a completely original way with a visual narrative, devised by Hillary Leben, designed to heighten the listeners' sensibility to the subject matter - the differing nature of female and male love and desire. In addition, Gerard McBurney, as Creative Advisor, devised the approach to these two song cycles. Alison McBurney provided image research and additional photography for "He/She".

"While we had to make the difficult decision to scale back our 2011 Season, we took this as an opportunity to explore the dramatic possibilities in these song cycles, that are, in their own way, somewhat 'mini-operas'," said General Director Brian Dickie. "Our current subscribers are very excited by this program, and I think all serious music lovers are going to be intrigued by these two haunting works presented in this way."

Hillary is an award winning animator, filmmaker, and graphic designer, and is currently wrapping up her second year as Art Director and Animator of the "Beyond The Score" series at The Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Gerard is artistic programming advisor for the CSO and creative director of "Beyond the Score". He also has acted as advisor and collaborator for many orchestras and presenters, including Lincoln Center, the Emerson String Quartet and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Lighting Designer Julian Pike marks his third consecutive season with Chicago Opera Theater, where for the past two years he had been the Lighting Supervisor and Assistant Lighting Designer. He is also the Lighting Designer for COT's upcoming production of Charpentier's Medea.

The Diary of the One Who Disappeared will star Joseph Kaiser, last seen in Chicago Opera Theater's 2007 production of Béatrice et Bénédict. The New York Times observed of his Metropolitan Opera debut in Roméo et Juliette that, "Mr. Kaiser has an ardent, youthful and warm tenor voice. His performance was enriched by his keen musical intelligence and elegantly stylish phrasing. Tall, handsome and agile, he has an appealing stage presence."
Joseph also starred as Tamino in the Kenneth Branagh film adaptation of The Magic Flute.

Brandy Lynn Hawkins sings the role of the Gypsy in the Diary of One Who Disappeared. Brandy is a member of Chicago Opera Theater's Young Artists Program.

Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano, who starred as Kate to critical acclaim in COT's Owen Wingrave in 2009, sings the title role in Frauenliebe und Leben. Earlier this month, Jennifer gave a recital at the Kennedy Center and was called "a fine talent with a promising future right at her doorstep" by the Washington Post. A winner of the 2008 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, she will make her debut in 2012 with the New York Philharmonic under Alan Gilbert.

The pianist for both pieces is the distinguished accompanist Craig Terry. He has performed with such esteemed vocalists as Sir Thomas Allen, Christine Brewer, Eric Cutler, Joyce DiDonato, and Patricia Racette.

Love wreaks havoc in the lives of a man and a woman in these two emotionally intense song cycles. Who suffers more? The young farm boy pursuing the Gypsy in Janá?ek's The Diary of One Who Disappeared or a woman so infatuated with a man that she rejects her family in Schumann's Frauenliebe und Leben? It's up to the audience to decide.

"He/She" runs for only two performances on May 7 at 7:30pm and May 8 at 3pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 East Randolph Drive.

Individual tickets are $75, $65, $45, $35 and $25. COT also offers half-priced tickets to students in sections B, C, and D.

Tickets may be purchased at Chicago Opera Theater: ChicagoOperaTheater.org or 312.704.8414. Tickets may also be purchased at the Harris Theater: HarrisTheaterChicago.org or 312.334.7777.

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