Chicago Opera Theater kicks off its 2006 season on Feb. 15 in grand fashion with its signature style and spirit, presenting a double bill featuring "The Padlock" and "Dido and Aeneas" by Charles Dibdin and Henry Purcell, respectively. This creative pairing of comic and tragic love stories will mark the world premiere of conductor and opera legend Raymond Leppard's realization of the piano score and libretto of "The Padlock."
Leppard's new version of "The Padlock" literally has risen from the ashes. When working on the realization, the conductor used a first-edition vocal score he acquired in the early 1940s that was previously thought destroyed in a house fire years ago. Leppard has been familiar with Dibdin's antic-filled comedy for decades—he and classmates performed several arias from the opera in Cambridge in the early 1950s. COT's staging of "The Padlock" marks the first time since before the Revolutionary War that the opera will be performed in the United States.
Renowned director, playwright, and COT veteran Lillian Groag will cleverly interpret the ironic libretto, with a cast that includes Leah Partridge in the role of Leonore and Jesper Taube as Don Diego. The cast is rounded out by several faces new to COT—Dean Anthony (Mungo), Matthew Garrett (Leander), and Kate Mangiameli (Ursula).
In Purcell's tragic masterpiece, "Dido and Aeneas," world-famous mezzo soprano and Chicago local Susanne Mentzer will perform the role of Dido. For the double bill, Groag will team with John Conklin, considered one of America's foremost designers. Audience members will be treated to a clever shift in cast as the audience for "The Padlock" takes on leading roles in "Dido and Aeneas," whose cast includes COT veterans Erika Buchholz (Second Woman) and Katherine Calcamuggio (Second Witch).
Chicago Opera Theater performs at The Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr. Single tickets range from $35-$115. Season subscriptions that also include "Nixon in China" and "The Abduction from the Seraglio" range from $105-$345. Tickets may be purchased by calling (312) 704-8414 or visiting ChicagoOperaTheater.org.
Both operas will be sung in English with English supertitles. Performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15; Friday, Feb. 17; Thursday, Feb. 23; and Saturday, Feb. 25. There will also be a performance at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19. |
