Chicago tips

Vanessa, The Opera Here October 11, 17, 19.

music (opera), current calendar

Here's a chance to attend the Chicago premier of the highly regarded Pulitzer prize winning opera, Vanessa by Samuel Barber, the American composer.

The fully staged production will be mounted by Chamber Opera Chicago, the only real opera presented by the group this year.  Francis Menotti, the son of the director of the original 1958 Metropolitan Opera production, Gian Carlo Menotti will direct.  Francis was at his father's side during the Met and Spoleto (SC) presentations, so the original will no doubt be much in evidence. (photo at left, courtesy Chamber Opera Chicago.)

The story takes place in an unnamed northern country about 1905 and concerns the complexities of love between two generations of lovers within two families.

Pre performance lectures by Richard Covello,  Opera Canada critic will precede each opera.  They begin 1/2 hour prior to curtain time and are free.

Performances are Saturday, Oct. 11 and Friday Oct. 17, both at 7:30PM and Sunday, Oct. 19 at 3PM at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport.  Tickets range from $15-$45.  For tickets and additional information access www.chamberoperachicago.org for ticketmaster or to buy tickets direct, call 312.951.7944, the box office of the theater.  

You've Just Got To Love Chicago Opera Theater!

music (opera)

I guess you know that Chicago has a "second" opera company, Chicago Opera Theater, based at the Harris Theater in Millenium Park.  Their beautiful and offbeat contemporary productions have been critically acclaimed widely and they've definitely hit the big time since their move downtown.

This is how we finally managed to see Nixon in China a couple of years back, an opera done rarely and enjoyed by all we spoke to.

Excitement ahead on Friday May 9th.  A free COT simulcast on a giant outdoor screen of the Harris' stage production of Mozart's Don Giovanni will be offered in Millenium Park at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at 7:30 PM.  The opera will be sung in Italian with large subtitles in English.  Jane Glover conducts leading opera singers.

Check out other info on COT's small but growing website www.chicagooperatheater.org

Together, the total capacity for seats and lawn is 11,000 but based on an operatic program in the same venue last year which was a complete sellout, I'd advise an early arrival with a helium balloon to mark your location for friends.  It's a rain or shine one-time-only event so plan ahead.

You can still buy tickets for all indoor COT Harris productions.  Box office phone: 312.704.8414. The schedule:

Don Giovanni, April 30-May 11;  A Flowering Tree, based on an ancient Indian folk tale by American composer John Adams, May 14-25;  Orlando by Handel May 28-June 8.

all images, courtesy Chicago Opera Theater.

Live From The Metropolitan Opera. At The Movies!

current calendar, music (opera)

Here's a chance to attend those lavish world renowned performances more or less in your own backyard.

Our special tip is that you can avoid the big crowds that have been filling the AMC River East Theater at 322 E. Illinois by going to Chicago City North, 2600 N. Western Ave., which was about half full when we attended the last Met broadcast of MacBeth on Jan. 12.

True, we had to remind the usher to turn off the lights for the movie and on again for the intermission http://www.fathomevents.com but that was part of the fun.  Let's see if they remember this coming Saturday, February 16th at  12 noon, CST for the broadcast captured on the big screen of Manon Lescaut.

This production stars the Finnish soprano, Karita Mattila (see photo above, courtesy The Metropolitan Opera) and tenor Marcello Giordani.  James Levine conducts.

We enjoyed the opportunity to view the performers up close and could listen in on some very casual behind the scenes chatter.

Other theaters in Evanston and beyond participate in these broadcasts.  Check out http://www.fathomevents.com for a complete listing in the Chicago area and beyond.

In many cases there is an encore performance on the following Sunday but our friendly Chicago City North manager told us there are more likely to be glitches in the encore presentations.  Check the website above to be sure your theater is scheduling an encore.

Don't Miss "Don Pasquale" From da Corneto Opera

music (opera), current calendar

A special treat for opera lovers takes place this Sunday, November 18 at the Gorton Community Center  in Lake Forest at 3PM.  Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti is a fully costumed production with piano accompaniment and English subtitles.  The performance will be in preparation for da Corneto's upcoming performance at Festival Cultural Mazatlan in Mazatlan, Mexico on November 24.

Advance tickets at $25 may be purchased by calling 847.662.2694.  Prices at the door are $30.   The student rate is $15.  What a terrific bargain for genuine opera! 

Da Corneto Opera has been operating in the Chicago area for 11 years, the venue changing depending on the availability of appropriate space.

You'll find a synopsis of Don Pasquale at www.dacorneto.org (click on read more) along with directions and parking info for this Sunday's performance.

So, head out to Baggett Auditorium at Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road in Lake Forest on Sunday at 3.

Additionally da Corneto offers the Mozart Requiem at their home venue on Tuesday November 20 at 8PM.  That's at Church of St. Hilary, at the junction of California and Bryn Mawr Avenues.