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Chicago Opera Theatre "Ulysses"-by Dwight Casimere
For those in need of a serious opera "fix" after
the close of the Lyric Opera Season in mid-March, the advent of Chicago Opera Theatre's spring season
in late March is a welcome arrival. At its home in
the Harris Theatre in Millennium Park, the openin production of Monteverdi's "The Return of Ulysses"
was a production that sparkled in every way. The
story of the opera comes from Homer's Greek classic,
"The Odyssey." specifically Books 13 through 24,
when he reached his homeland of Ithaca. The
composer, Claudio Monteverdi, was a celebrity in the opera world of Renaissance-era Venice. The opera was
considered to be a masterpiece of its time and that
opinion continues today.
Chicago Opera Theatre's production of "The Return
of Ullysses was brought to the Harris stage by the
"dynamic duo" of the COT. Conducted by Jane Glover
and staged by Diane Paulus with set design by
renowned architect Rafael Vinoly, the production
brought out a packed house of opera lovers who were not disappointed. From the moment when French
mezzo-soprano Marie Lenormand walked solemnly on
stage as Ullysses' long-suffering wife Penelope, the
opera unfolded in all its glory. British tenor Mark
Le Brocq was riveting as the valiant Ulysses,
lending his sylvan voice to a role that marked his> triumphant return to Chicago Opera Theatre after his
role as Giovanni in 2005's "La resurrezione." The
singing, sets, costumes and staging as well as the interpretive moves of the cast all melded together
to make for a captivating evening. The next
production of Chicago Opera Theatre is a double bill
of Bela Bartok's searing psychological operatic
drama "Duke Bluebeard's Castle" with
world-famous baritone and now, Chicago-area
resident Samuel Ramey in the title role and Arnold
Shoenberg's monodrama "Ewartung" sung by Vienna
State Opera star Nancy Gustafson. No opera lover
would miss this pairing. Performances are at the
Harris Theatre May 9, 13,15, 17 & 19. For tickets
and information, visit www.chicagooperatheater.org.
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Exhibit and Lecture at the Lockport Library
The Des Plaines Valley Public Library District is hosting a lecture and photographic exhibit by historian/photographer David V. Wendell featuring the stained glass windows of Lockport native John J. Kinsella. The lecture, entitled “God in the Details: the Passion of Kinsella” is scheduled for Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lockport Library,121 E. 8th Street, Lockport, IL. The exhibit entitled “Cathedrals of Color” features photographs of the ecclesiastical stained glass art produced by John Kinsella and the Kinsella Studios during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Wendell has assembled a photographic essay of Kinsella’s masterpieces, featuring more than 200 narrative scenes from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. These include the award winning “Garden of Gethsemane” window of St. James Lutheran Church, the “Noah’s Ark” triptych of St. John Berchman’s Catholic Church, the Apse Window of St. Dennis’ Catholic Church, and the 700,000 piece lancet windows of Quigley Preparatory Seminary.
Wendell’s lecture promises to be a fascinating overview of the life and work of John Kinsella. The lecture is free to the public. The exhibit will be on display from April 20 through May 18 and will be open for viewing every day from 1 to 5 p.m.
For further information on this program, please contact Shannon Pohrte, Manager of Adult Services for the Des Plaines Valley Public Library District at 815-838-0755
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