Chicago Opera Theater (COT) will open its 2013 season at the end of February with The Fall of the House of Usher, which melds Edgar Allen Poe's sinister tale with haunting music by Philip Glass and lyrics by Arthur Yorinks. The opera marks Andreas Mitisek's inaugural season as General Director of Chicago Opera Theater since assuming the position in June 2012.
Usher tells the tale of William, who visits the sinister mansion where his ailing friend Roderick Usher and twin sister Madeline reside as the final descendents of the Usher bloodline. William attempts to bring Roderick back from the brink of insanity by reminding him of his passion for the fine arts, but William eventually becomes ensnared in a web of supernatural events and paranoia.
“The Fall of the House of Usher is about internal and external collapsing worlds," explains Mitisek. “Glass’ music suspends reality and time, hypnotizing us on this journey to the edge of sanity. It’s a 90-minute psychological roller coaster ride.”
The opera will also feature the COT debuts of soprano Suzan Hansen (Madeline Usher), baritone Lee Gregory (William), tenor Jonathan Mack (Physician), tenor Ryan MacPherson (Roderick Usher), and bass-baritone Nicholas Shelton (Servant).
Usher runs for four performances on Saturday, Feb 23 at 7:30 pm., Sunday, Feb 24 at 3 pm, Wednesday, Feb 27 at 7:30 pm. and Friday, March 1 at 7:30 pm. at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Drive. Individual tickets went on sale January 21 and range from $45 – $125. Tickets may be purchased through Chicago Opera Theater at www.chicagooperatheater.org, by phone at 312-704-8414, or through the Harris Theater at www.harristheaterhicago.org and 312-334-7777. COT offers half-off tickets to students in sections A, B, C and D.
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