(Credit: Picture from Chicago Opera Theater)
Chicago Opera Theater will open its 2024-25 season with the North American premiere of “Leonora.”
This Italian opera, composed by Ferdinando Paër with a libretto by Giuseppe Maria Foppa and Giacomo Cinti, shares its story with Beethoven’s later opera “Fidelio.” Musicologists suggest Beethoven was influenced by Paër’s work while creating his sole opera.
The production will be conducted by Dame Jane Glover, with tenor Edgardo Rocha making his Chicago debut. Soprano Vanessa Becerra will take on the role of Leonora, soprano Keely Futterer will play Marcellina, baritone Joo Won Kang will portray Rocco, tenor Matthew Pearce will appear as Don Pizzarro, tenor Kameron Alston as Don Fernando, and bass-baritone Alex Soare as Giachino.
Lawrence Edelson, General Director of Edlis Neeson, will make his directorial debut with this production.
Edelson remarked, “When I joined COT, Paër’s ‘Leonora’ was one of the first operas I thought of producing. The year 2020 marked Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary, sparking renewed interest in Paër’s opera. ‘Leonora’ premiered in 1804 and was frequently performed in early 19th-century Europe. However, as ‘Fidelio’ became more common in the 1820s, Paër’s opera fell into obscurity, with only occasional performances of heavily cut versions. The first critical edition of ‘Leonora’ was prepared for performances in Austria in 2020, and a recording of these concerts was released shortly thereafter. I was amazed by the new recording; the musical invention, both orchestral and vocal, is extraordinary. The comparison between Paër’s and Beethoven’s interpretations of the story is intriguing. With Lyric Opera planning to stage ‘Fidelio’ this fall, it was evident that we had to present ‘Leonora’. I am excited to work with Dame Jane Glover and a truly exceptional cast to bring ‘Leonora’ to the stage. Audiences can look forward to an evening of spectacular singing and a fresh take on a timeless narrative that remains as pertinent today as when it was first performed.”
“Leonora” will be staged from Oct. 1 to Oct. 6 at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building.
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