Pictured: Kevin Puts. Photo by David White. 

Chicago Opera Theater announced plans today for their 2017/2018 season, beginning in November with THE CONSUL by Gian Carlo Menotti, starring soprano Patricia Racette as Magda. Directed by COT’s Andreas Mitisek and conducted by Kristof Van Grysperre, this modern opera is a co-production with Long Beach Opera. Following in February is ELIZABETH CREE a Victorian London thriller based on the novel “The Trial of Elizabeth Cree” by Peter Ackroyd. Pulitzer Prize-winning duo Kevin Puts (composer) and Mark Campbell (librettist) pen the world premiere co-production with Opera Philadelphia and London’s Hackney Empire, directed by David Schweizer. The season finishes out in April with IL PIGMALION and RITA by Gaetano Donizetti. The two works are presented together, as directed by Amy Hutchison and conducted by Francesco Milioto. All performances take place at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue.

“We looked to curate a season that combines new and rarely-performed works that surprise and challenge, from a thrilling, mysterious world-premiere to a double-bill that spans the career of a great composer,” said Douglas Clayton, the company’s Executive Director. “This season, we’ll continue to engage current opera audiences while constantly striving to cultivate new patrons, and warmly welcoming them into the beautiful Studebaker Theater where they can view opera in unparalleled intimacy. COT endeavors to be a platform for exceptional artistry, experimentation and a showcase for new talent, and our 2017/2018 season will be no different with these remarkable operas.”

Chicago Opera Theater’s 2017/2018 Season (from the press release):

THE CONSUL
Co-Produced by Long Beach Opera
Composer and Librettist: Gian Carlo Menotti
Starring: Patricia Racette
Conductor: Kristof Van Grysperre
Stage Director: Andreas Mitisek
Performance dates: Saturday, Nov. 4; Friday, Nov. 10; Sunday, Nov.12, 2017

Hailed by The New York Times as “an opera of eloquence, momentousness, and intensity of expression… written from the heart,” “The Consul” is an essential modern opera. Starring legendary soprano Patricia Racette in her role debut as Magda, this production of “The Consul” will be a new interpretation of a beloved opera.

ELIZABETH CREE
World-Premiere Co-Production with Opera Philadelphia and Hackney Empire
Based on the novel “The Trial of Elizabeth Cree” by Peter Ackroyd
Composer: Kevin Puts
Libretto: Mark Campbell
Conductor: TBD
Director: David Schweizer
Performance dates: Saturday, Feb. 10; Friday, Feb. 16; Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018

Fact and fiction blur in “Elizabeth Cree, a suspenseful and thrilling tale set against the gaslit backdrop of Victorian London. On trial for her husband’s murder, Elizabeth weaves the story of her days in an English music hall and the grisly slayings surrounding it.

IL PIGMALIONE and RITA
Composer: Gaetano Donizetti
IL PIGMALIONE Libretto: Unknown
RITA Libretto: Gustave Vaëz
Conductor: Francesco Milioto
Director: Amy Hutchison
Performance dates: Saturday, April 14; Friday, April 20; Sunday, April 22, 2018

For more information visit chicagooperatheater.org.