Seattle Opera's O+E Puts Feminist Storytelling Center Stage

What would you do for just one more moment with the person you love? Seattle Opera hopes to make audience members hold their dear ones a little closer through its new chamber opera, O+E, presented in the Seattle Opera Studios. This new twist on the Orpheus and Eurydice myth is brought to life through an all-women creative team and cast of principal singers. O, an artist waits by the bedside of her wife E, a soldier. A, traditionally depicted as the goddess Amore, is the surgeon whose hands determine their fate. Presented in English, this 80-minute modern adaptation of Gluck's 18th century opera will include a supporting cast of dancers, chorus members, and a chamber orchestra led by Maestro Lucy Tucker Yates.

Historically, Gluck's version of the character Orpheus is often portrayed by a woman as a pants role. O+E, however, makes another choice. O+E will be sung by female singers and they will also present as women in a same-sex marriage. This love story will offer representation for those who don't often see themselves reflected onstage, in creative teams, or in classic stories.

"We tell this story with two women because love is universal and this story belongs to all of us," stage director Kelly Kitchenssaid. "We should, we must, all be free to express our love-and grief-for the people we care about."

Kitchens was inspired to place the opera in a dreamlike hospital room after being confronted with the possibility of losing her own husband. Preparing herself for the worst, O will ask herself what she could have done differently.

Together, the couple journeys the psychological landscape of their love and their fears of losing each other.

"Our production holds space for those who have lost a loved one," Kitchens said. "It's an offering of love, light, and music amidthe darkness."

American mezzo-soprano Hai-Ting Chinn makes her Seattle Opera debut as O, and Tess Altiveros, most recently Clorinda inThe Combat, returns as E. Serena Eduljee, who regularly performs with the Seattle Opera Chorus, returns as A.

Joining Kitchens and Maestro Yates on the creative team are Julia Hayes Welch (Scenery Designer) and Chelsea Cook(Costume Designer), both returning after An American Dream; as well as Thorn Michaels, whose most recent work for Seattle Opera includes Youth Opera Project's Robin Hood. Choreographer Kathryn Van meter was last here for The Magic Flute.

O+E opens Saturday, June 2 and runs through Sunday, June 10. Tickets are $45 and available online at seattleopera.org, by calling 206-389-7676, or in-person at the box office located at 1020 John Street in South Lake Union (two blocks west of Fairview). Box office hours are Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

O+E

Music by Christoph Willibald Gluck

Libretto by Ranieri de' Calzabigi

In English

Adaptation by Lucy Tucker Yates

Seattle Opera Studios

200 Terry Avenue, Seattle

Performances: June 2, 3m, 7, 9, 10m, 2018

Approximate Running Time: 80 minutes with no intermission

Evening performances begin at 8:00 p.m., matinees at 2:00 p.m.

Cast:

(O) Hai-Ting Chinn

(E) Tess Altiveros

(A) Serena Eduljee

Director Kelly Kitchens

Music Director Lucy Tucker Yates

Scenery Designer Julia Hayes Welch

Costume Designer Chelsea Cook

Lighting Designer Thorn Michaels

Choreographer Kathryn Van meter