Chicago Opera Theater Sets 2016-17 Season

Today, from the historic Studebaker Theater, Chicago Opera Theater (COT) announced plans for its 2016/17 season, which will bring rarely performed operas and a world premiere to a range of Chicago neighborhoods, will target new types of audiences and will set the stage for a bold future ahead for the company now in its 43rd season. At the event, Andreas Mitisek, COT's Stefan Edlis & Gael Neeson General Director, detailed the ambitious new season, which will feature performances at the Music Box Theatre, the Studebaker Theater Chicago and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.

"Thanks to generous funding from our donors and the unwavering support of our loyal subscribers, this season we are able to showcase a collection of extraordinary works in exciting ways including our first ever commission," said Mitisek. "We're also proud to continue to bring audiences more of what is different by rethinking not only the operas we feature and how they are staged, but also where they are staged and how the combination of all those elements can transform the entire experience."

"Chicago Opera Theater is fortunate to have been the recipient of several major gifts and grants from Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson the MacArthur Foundation, and Bloomberg Philanthropies," added COT General Manager Douglas Clayton. "This funding has given us the opportunity to reevaluate the future direction of the company and the role it plays as part of Chicago's cultural fabric. In addition, it gives us the freedom to experiment in creating an opera experience that is fresh and vibrant so that we can cultivate and excite new audiences for the art form in the future."

The 2016/17 season will kick off on September 30 with a new staging of Frank Martin's 1942 "Le Vin Herbe" or "Tristan and Isolde." This classic tale chronicles the relationship of two lovers and their unplanned but irrefutable love for each other, which is nothing short of unexpected fate. Emanuele Andrizzi conducts and COT's Andreas Mitisek stage directs "Le Vin Herbe," which will be performed at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N Southport) on September 30 and October 7, 9, 2016.

On November 5, the season continues at the Studebaker Theater with three performances of "The Fairy Queen." Composed in 1692 by Henry Purcell, "The Fairy Queen," takes its inspiration from the mystical masques of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," creating the perfect world to explore relationships in a multicultural society where love and human connection are brought forth through the whimsical and fantastical musical world of Purcell. Performances will take place at the Studebaker Theater Chicago (410 S. Michigan) on November 5, 11 and 13, 2016.

On February 18, 2017, COT will present the world premiere of "The Invention of Morel," which is based on "La invención de Morel" by Adolfo Bioy Casares and is COT's first-ever co-commission and will be co-premiered with Long Beach Opera. Composed by Stewart Copeland, drummer for the English rock band The Police, stage directed by Jonathan Moore, and conducted by COT's Andreas Mitisek, "The Invention of Morel," tells the story a hopeless man lost on a deserted island and the intangible love story that crosses time and space to bring two illusive lovers together. This enchanting tale shows how love can bring people together in ways much greater than themselves. "The Invention of Morel," will be performed at the Studebaker Theater on February 18, 24 and 26, 2017.

COT's 2016/17 Season will close with Philip Glass' 2013 "The Perfect American," which is a fictionalized biography of Walt Disney's life told through the surrealist lens of Philip Glass that melds delusions of the American Dream, immortality and an empire. "The Perfect American," is stage directed by Kevin Newbury, composed by Philip Glass and conducted by COT's Andreas Mitisek. Performances will take place at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph) on April 22 and 30, 2017.

About Chicago Opera Theater's 2016/17 Season

"Le Vin Herbe" or "Tristan and Isolde"
Based on the text from "Roman de Tristan et Iseut"
Composer: Frank Martin
Libretto: Joseph Bedier
Premiere date: 1942
Venue: Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport Ave
Performance dates: Friday, Sept. 30; Friday, Oct. 7; Sunday, Oct. 9
Conductor: Emanuele Andrizzi
Stage Director: Andreas Mitisek

The classic tale of love and destiny with a score resembling chamber work and a dramatic structure of a great Romantic opera. This story, encapsulating desire and unexpected fate, enchants even the most seasoned opera aficionado.

"...filled with dignity, mystery and a simplicity born of true sophistication" - New York Times

"The Fairy Queen"
Based on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Composer: Henry Purcell
Libretto: TBD
Premiere Date: 1692
Venue: Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan
Performance dates: Saturday, Nov. 5; Friday, Nov. 11; Sunday, Nov. 13
Conductor: TBD
Stage Director: Andreas Mitisek

Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream's mystical masques create the perfect world to explore relationships in a multicultural society where love and human connection are brought forth through the whimsical and fantastical musical world of Purcell.

"It's a Midsummer Night's Dream, but not as you know it" - The Guardian

"The Invention of Morel"
Based on "La invención de Morel" by Adolfo Bioy Casares
Composer: Stewart Copeland
Libretto: Jonathan Moore
World Premiere; COT's first-ever commission, co-commissioned and co-premiered with Long Beach Opera.
Venue: Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan
Performance dates: Saturday, Feb. 18; Friday, Feb. 24; Sunday, Feb. 26
Conductor: Andreas Mitisek
Director: Jonathan Moore

When a man has no hope, he has nothing left to lose. On a deserted island a futuristic love story crosses time and space to bring these illusive lovers together. A story that shows that love can bring people together in ways beyond reality.

"Stewart is a refreshing new voice for the opera stage." - Andreas Mitisek

"The Perfect American"
Adapted from Peter Stephan Jungk's novel, the Perfect American
Composer: Philip Glass
Libretto: Rudy Wurlitzer
Premiere Date: January 2013, Madrid
Venue: The Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph
Performance dates: Saturday, Apr. 22; Sunday, Apr. 30
Conductor: Andreas Mitisek
Stage Director: Kevin Newbury

A fictionalized biography of Walt Disney's life through the surrealist lens of Philip Glass melds delusions of the American Dream, immortality, and an empire. There is more to this icon than simply the magic of making dreams come true.

"Glass's music is as finely crafted as ever" - The Guardian

Subscription Information
Subscriptions to Chicago Opera Theater's 2015/16 Season are now on sale. Subscriptions are priced from $81 to $443 and can be purchased by calling 312.704.8414 or via cot.org. Individual tickets will go on sale on a future date to be announced.

About Chicago Opera Theater

Chicago Opera Theater is an innovative, nationally recognized opera company that inspires a diverse community through immersive and thought-provoking opera experiences. COT, established in 1974 by Alan Stone, is a founding resident company of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park. Andreas Mitisek, the Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson General Director, is known for his adventurous repertory, visionary leadership, fundraising skills and innovative audience-building initiatives.

Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago and has reached an audience of hundreds of thousands through its main stage performances, community engagement, education programs in Chicago Public Schools, as well as its renowned Young Artist Program. For more information on the Chicago Opera Theater and its programs please visit www.cot.org

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