COT to Offer Events Alongside THERESE RAQUIN

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) presents two special Viewpoint events in conjunction with the Chicago Premiere of Tobias Picker's "Thérèse Raquin" February 20-28, 2015 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street). Chicago Opera Theater's production of "Thérèse Raquin" will be conducted by COT's General Director Andreas Mitisek and directed veteran opera director Ken Cazan. With a sensual score that mirrors the lovers' turbulent affair, this tale of torrid romance and scandal features a libretto by critically-acclaimed writer Gene Scheer. Tickets are now on sale at chicagooperatheater.org for $35-$125. Press are invited to attend the Friday, February 20 performance.

On January 27, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. opera enthusiasts are invited to join COT at the Chicago Fine Arts Building, Curtiss Hall (410 S. Michigan) for the rare and exciting opportunity to join Director Andreas Mitisek as he leads guests through the 2015 COT season with the help of "Thérèse Raquin" composer Tobias Picker and "A Coffin in Egypt" composer Ricky Ian Gordon. A live preview performance of the 2015 season and a toast will draw this portion of the evening to a close. Additionally, from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. COT subscribers will be privy to a private reception with composer Tobias Picker where guests will enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres as they get to know the man who brought the sensual "Thérèse Raquin" to the opera stage.

To further enhance the audience's experience with insight into Thérèse's complicated life in advance of opening night, Chicago Opera Theater presents a special Viewpoint screening of Marcel Carne's 1953 "The Adultress," a sensual and gripping adaptation of Emile Zola's realist masterpiece. COT will be offering audiences the rare opportunity to see a French cinematic masterpiece on the big screen Sunday, February 15 at 12 p.m. at Facets Multimedia (1517 West Fullerton Avenue). The event will also include a special performance by cast members of COT's "Thérèse Raquin." Viewpoint tickets will be on sale in January and are $5 for Facets Members and COT Subscribers and $9 General Admission.

Written in English and co-produced with Long Beach Opera, "Thérèse Raquin" presents a lethal love story in which Thérèse, bound by an unhappy marriage, falls deeply in love with her husband's friend. Their romance turns to madness when they commit a crime that will haunt them forever. Picker's lavish and riveting score provides the suspenseful underpinning for this deadly love triangle. Based on Émile Zola's scandalous 1867 novel the work is "a meaningful opera infused with moments of searing reflection and luxurious sensuality," according to Opera Now. The recording of the opera's 2001 Dallas Opera world premiere was cited by Opera News as one of the ten best recordings of 2002.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information
"Thérèse Raquin" will be performed at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. The performance schedule is as follows:

• Friday, February 20, 2015 - 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, February 22, 2015 - 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 25, 2015 - 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are priced from $35 - $125 and can be purchased by calling 312.704.8414 or via chicagooperatheater.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the Harris Theater box office.

The opera's cast includes soprano Mary Ann Stewart in the title role; tenor Matthew Di Battista as Camille Raquin; baritone Ed Parks as Laurent; soprano Suzan Hanson as Madam Lisette Raquin; tenor John Matthew Myers as Grivet; soprano Ani Maldjian as Suzanne and bass Zeffin Quinn Hollis as Olivier. Set design is by Alan E. Muraoka; costumes designed by Jacqueline Saint Anne; lighting designed by David Jacques.

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