Main Street Opera to Present A LOVE TO DIE FOR, 5/5

Most folks are familiar with the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys. History is filled with rivalries that often lead to violence, murder and sometimes love. A Love to Die For explores the many facets of forbidden love as only the great master composers could write. Main Street Opera presents a program of duet scenes entitled A Love to Die For on May 5, 2013. Four stories of forbidden love written by four of the most famous of composers; Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, Giuseppe Verdi's Don Carlos, Georges Bizet's Carmen, and Richard Wagner's Tristan und Isolde.

West Side Story talks about what happens when love calls to hearts from across ethnic, class or cultural lines. Don Carlos - of the love you want but cannot have. Carmen speaks of love bestowed and reclaimed while Tristan und Isolde explores the parallel of intense hate and intense love.

In one spectacular afternoon, guests travel from 12th century Cornwall to the streets of 19th century Seville. The tour includes a stop at King Phillip's 19th century castle in Madrid, Spain as well as stop in 1950 New York City.

A Love to Die For was an inspiration of Main Street Opera founder and President Katherine Bergman who saw an opportunity to introduce mainstream greater Chicago to the opera experience. "There are many familiar sound bites of opera, which are a great calling card to welcome new fans. We wanted to take some of these pieces and weave the common thread so patrons can wrap their arms and hearts around the opera experience," she said. "But prepare yourself," Bergman added, 'like forbidden love, opera is something many people die for, er, I mean, love for."

A Love to Die For will be performed November 10th at 2pmas part of the Sounds of South Loop concert series at the 2nd Presbyterian Church, 1936 S Michigan, Chicago. Ticket prices are $8 - $18 and can be purchased on line at www.mainstreetopera.com , via phone 312-225-4951 or at the door.