STAGE TUBE: Diving Into Chicago Opera's Under Water Opera, ORPHEUS & EURIDICE

Chicago Opera Theater dives into the pool again for a remount of its highly successful production of Ricky Ian Gordon's Orpheus & Euridice in partnership with the Chicago Park District in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events as part of the Classics in the Parks series. Following the sold-out run of four performances at the Eckhart Park Pool in the West Town neighborhood in early November, COT will bring three additional performances to Lincoln Square on December 19, 20, and 22 at the Welles Park Pool. Tickets will once again be free to the public. Check out a behind the scenes look below!

COT's original cast, featuring former COT Young Artist Valerie Vinzant as Euridice and acclaimed clarinetist Todd Palmer, all return for the remount in December. This unique theatrical experience will transport attendees into the River Styx with the actors playing around, on, and IN the water. This modern retelling of the famous Greek myth is directed and designed by Andreas Mitisek, conducted by Stephen Hargreaves at the piano, with lighting design byDavid Lee Bradke.

Performances are held at the Welles Park Pool located at 2333 W. Sunnyside Avenue: Thursday, December 19; Friday, December 20; and Sunday, December 22. Tickets are free to the public in partnership with the Chicago Park District. A limited number of tickets to each performance will be available for advance reservation by calling (312) 704-8414 or by visiting www.chicagooperatheater.org (limit two per person). Most tickets will be available for Walk-Up Only; tickets become available at the Welles Park Pool at 5:00pm each day of a performance.

Orpheus, the son of Apollo and the muse Calliope, was a musician and poet whose lyrical melodies could tame wild animals, cause trees and rocks to dance, and divert rivers from their courses. When his young wife Eurydice died, Orpheus journeyed to the Underworld to rescue her. He charmed the Ruler of the Underworld with his music and was allowed to return with her to Earth as long as he didn't look back along the way. As he neared Earth, he was anxious to reassure himself Eurydice was still behind him. As he turned, she vanished back into the Underworld. His pleas to the Ferryman on the River Styx to return him back to the Underworld went unheeded and he mourned the loss of Eurydice a second time. The Thracian women, angry that following his return Orpheus paid them no attention; threw their spears at him; tore him in pieces; and tossed his head and lyre into the Hebrus river. Jupiter threw his lute into the stars while the Shade of Orpheus entered the Underworld where he was finally reunited with Eurydice.

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