Oriental Institute to Present OSIRIS & ISIS, 10/17

The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago presents a preview showing of Osiris and Isis, a new evening-length story-ballet choreographed by Chicagoan Ron De Jesús and performed by his namesake company, Ron De Jesús Dance, inspired by the ancient Egyptian myth of Osiris, the god who was murdered by his brother, Seth, and resurrected by his loving wife, Isis. The preview is presented one night only in the Yelda Khorsabad Court of the Oriental Institute, 1155 E. 58th Street in Hyde Park, Friday, October 17 at 7 pm.

Surrounded by ancient Middle Eastern artifacts, including a 16-foot-tall, 40-ton sculpture of a lamassu (human-headed winged bull) flanked by 10-foot tall stone reliefs from the palace of the Assyrian King Sargon II, three dancers portraying Osiris, Isis and Seth dance three scenes from De Jesús' new work about one of the oldest and strongest love stories, which will have its full premiere at the University of Chicago in the fall of 2015. Live music composed and performed by James Falzone accompanies the performance and in between each scene, University of Chicago students read excerpts from ancient Egyptian texts about the Osiris myth. This program is generously funded by University of Chicago Arts Council, the Illinois Humanities Council, and James and Trudene Westerman.

The preview performance of Osiris and Isis is preceded by a free public lecture by Robert K. Ritner, professor of Egyptology at the Oriental Institute. Dr. Ritner, a world-renowned expert on Egyptian religion and mythology, will focus on the enduring power and appeal of this god of the Egyptian pantheon. The lecture, titled "A Game of Thrones and Coffins: The Death and Resurrection of Osiris," takes place in the Oriental Institute's Breasted Hall, 5:30-6:30 pm. Admission to the lecture is free, but advanced registration is required either by phone at 773-702-9507 or online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lecture-a-game-of-thrones-and-coffinsthe-death-and-resurrection-of-osiris-tickets-12711094225.

Tickets for the Osiris and Isis preview performance are $15 for museum members, students, UChicago faculty and staff, and $25 for non-members. Tickets are available by phone at 773-702-9507 or online at https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1526958. A reception follows the performance, included in the ticket price.