Chicago Opera Theatre Announces THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER & More for 2013

Andreas Mitisek announced today Chicago Opera Theater's (COT) 2013 Season, his first as General Director. The season opens in February of 2013 with the Chicago Premiere of Philip Glass' The Fall of the House of Usher, followed by Ástor Piazzolla's María de Buenos Aires in April, and concluding in September with another Chicago Premiere, Giuseppe Verdi's Joan of Arc (Giovanna d'Arco). These three new productions will be presented at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

"Each time you come to COT, you should be surprised by something you hadn't thought existed. We want to make you laugh and cry and reflect on the stories we present," said Andreas Mitisek. "What ties these operas together is their focus on the tension between the power of love and the love of power. Philip Glass, Ástor Piazzolla and Giuseppe Verdi all question our views and enlighten us with insights into the eternal means of the human heart."

2013 will mark Chicago Opera Theater's first season in over a decade that will have the three operas offered in the winter, spring and fall.

"I think it is vital that we engage our current audience more than once or twice a year," said Andreas. "I also know this will really allow COT to connect with even more Chicagoans, giving them the chance to experience our unique theatrical creations."

As announced in December, Andreas will also remain the Artistic and General Director of Long Beach Opera (LBO) in California. In 2013, the two companies will co-produce The Fall of the House of Usher. Moreover, the new production of María de Buenos Aires which premiered at LBO in January of 2012 will be the same production at Chicago Opera Theater in 2013.

Philip Glass' The Fall of the House of Usher will open the 2013 Season on February 23 at the Harris Theater. The story is based on Edgar Allan Poe's haunting tale about the fine line between reality and imagination inside the eerie Usher mansion. Philip Glass' score perfectly captures the mood of this hypnotic and harrowing psychological drama.

Ken Cazan, acclaimed for his 2004 COT production of Britten's Death in Venice, will direct.

Opening April 20th María de Buenos Aires, an opera of "stunning originality," pulses to the passion and beat of Ástor Piazzolla's revolutionary nuevo tango and Horacio Ferrer's mesmerizing, imaginative poetry.

"Piazzolla's María is the ultimate metaphor for the heart and soul of Argentina and, for me, also a metaphor for love, hope, fear and resilience," explains Mitisek.

In 1967, Ástor Piazzolla and Horacio Ferrer called their first collaboration, María de Buenos Aires, a "tango operita." However, this work contains music unlike any conventional tango. Piazzolla took the tango off the dance floor by creating a new style termed "nuevo tango."

General Director Andreas Mitisek will both conduct and direct the piece, as he did at Long Beach Opera.

Closing the 2013 Season in September, is Verdi's Joan of Arc (Giovanna d'Arco), the winner of 2010's The People's Opera - a fundraising initiative where COT audiences picked from one of three operas to be performed in a future season. Telling the iconic story of the courageous St. Joan, the opera features some of Verdi's most beautiful music as COT celebrates his 200th birthday in 2013.

"I am greatly looking forward to coming to Chicago and collaborating even more with our audiences and community," said Andreas. "I want to create an immersive experience that goes beyond just watching opera."

Chicago Opera Theater performs at The Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park - 205 East Randolph Drive.

Season Subscriptions are on sale now for the 2013 Season, which include a ticket to all three operas. Renewing subscribers may take advantage of Early Bird pricing through July 31st, 2012. Chicago Opera Theater continues to offer 50% off subscriptions in most sections to new COT Subscribers.

Tickets to individual shows of the 2013 Season will go on sale in January of 2013.

Tickets are available at 312.704.8414 or online ChicagoOperaTheater.org.

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