Music Box Theatre 

For the first time, Chicago’s iconic Music Box Theatre—located in the Southport Corridor—will host a classical live performance when Chicago Opera Theater debuts the Chicago premiere of Frank Martin’s 1942 THE LOVE POTION (LE VIN HERBE). Martin’s adaptation of the medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde chronicles the relationship of the two lovers who meet by deception, fall in love by magic and pursue their love in defiance of heavenly and earthly powers.

The libretto, originally by medievalist Joseph Bédier, was translated into English for this production by Hugh MacDonald. THE LOVE POTION will be conducted by Emanuele Andrizzi and directed and designed by Chicago Opera Theater’s General Director Andreas Mitisek.

“One of our goals at Chicago Opera Theater is to bring our work to new audiences, and producing this work at the Music Box Theatre is in keeping with our mission,” said Mitisek. “It is an exceptional acoustic space, and we are proud to bring this rarely seen work to Chicago audiences in a venue that serves it so well musically and aesthetically.”

Portraying the star-crossed lovers will be Lani Stait (Isolde) and Bernard Holcomb (Tristan). Other principals include Brittany Loewen (Branghien), Kira Dills-Desurra (Isolde with White Hands), Cassidy Smith (Isolde’s Mother), Jonathan Weyant (Kaherdin), Nicholas Davis (King Mark) and Zacharias Niedzwiecki (Duke Hoël). The ensemble includes Alexandra Martinez, Quinn Middleman, Patrick Dean Shelton and Samuel Weiser. The performers are members of COT’s Young Artists program, which is composed of students in the Professional Diploma in Opera Program at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts in conjunction with Chicago Opera Theater, headed by Scott Gilmore, The Director of Musical Studies at CCPA.