COT set to make waves with aquatic performance of Gordon song cycle

Tue Oct 08, 2013 at 11:39 am

By Lawrence A. Johnson

Todd Palmer and Elizabeth Futral in Long Beach Opera's production of Ricky Ian Gordon's "Orpheus & Euridice."
Todd Palmer and Elizabeth Futral in Long Beach Opera’s production of Ricky Ian Gordon’s “Orpheus & Euridice.”

When he became general director of Chicago Opera Theater last year, Andreas Mitisek promised local audiences that the company would present unusual productions at off-site locations.

That time has come. Next month COT will present Ricky Ian Gordon’s song-cycle Orpheus & Euridice in the Eckhart Park Pool on the northwest side. These four performances, from November 1-10 will be presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s “Classics in the Parks” series.

Inspired by the Greek myth and the 1959 Marcel Camus film Black Orpheus,  Orpheus & Euridice was written by Gordon in 2001 after the death of his partner from AIDS. Mitisek’s aquatic staging of Gordon’s intimate cycle was presented by Long Beach Opera in 2008 and 2010.

Valerie Vinzant, who appeared in small roles in COT productions of The Magic Flute and Moscow, Cheryomushki will be the soprano soloist, with clarinetist Todd Palmer as Orpheus and pianist Stephen Hargreaves, backed by a small chamber ensemble.

Performances will take place at the Eckhart Park Pool, 1330 W. Chicago Avenue, at 7:30 p.m. November, 1, 3, 8 and 10. Seating is limited to 230 people for each performance. chicagooperatheater.org312-704-8414.

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