This September, Chicago audiences will have the truly rare opportunity to hear two world-class dramatic mezzo-sopranos debut new roles opposite one another in Chicago Opera Theater’s Carmen. Jamie Barton, dubbed “opera’s nose-studded rock star” by The New York Times, will make her role debut as the titular femme fatale while Blythely Oratonio, the tenor alter ego of the legendary Stephanie Blythe, will sing his first Don José.
“Though Bizet’s melodies are familiar to many opera-goers, this will be a very different perspective on an operatic classic,” said COT Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya, who will conduct the semi-staged concert performances. “It’s also a unique opportunity to hear these inimitable artists exploring brand-new territory. Jamie Barton is long overdue in her debut as Carmen, and I’m thrilled that Stephanie Blythe will be joining us in a new role that fits her truly unusual voice like a glove.”
“We talk a lot at COT about expanding the tradition of opera as a living art form,” added General Director Ashley Magnus. “Often that means performing new works or ensuring our audiences can see themselves reflected in the stories we tell on stage. But evolving perspectives on standard repertoire can be another important part of that mission. Carmen audiences will share a one-of-a-kind operatic experience – and leave with a broadened perspective of the incredible spectrum of possibilities for the human voice.”
That spectrum will be considered in two free community events offered in the lead-up to opening night. On Tuesday, August 31, What The Fach? will explore the fluidity of vocal types, featuring a discussion between Carmen star Stephanie Blythe, acclaimed countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, and writer Aiden Feltkamp, who curated the recently published Anthology of New Music: Trans & Nonbinary Voices. On Thursday, September 9, the public is invited to Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s most comprehensive LGBTQ community center, for Close-Up with Carmen. Featuring opera historian, dramaturg, and UCLA professor Dr. Katherine Syer, this conversation will focus on the history of cross-dressing in opera, including live performance excerpts, and examine ways in which stereotypes can be broken down as traditions evolve.
With stage direction by Joachim Schamberger, Carmen will be performed in French with English subtitles, without chorus, and will run approximately two hours with one intermission. Carmen premieres on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at 7:30 pm, with one additional performance on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 3 pm. Ticket ($45-$150) are available at www.cot.org/carmen.
Updated COVID-19 Protocols
All attendees will be required to wear a mask covering both nose and mouth while inside the Harris Theater, which will be filled to a maximum of 60% capacity. To enter, you must show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 by presenting your vaccination card and photo ID or by using the My Bindle app. Alternately, the theater will accept a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of the event or a negative rapid antigen test result within six hours of the event. More details on COT’s COVID-19 protocols can be found at cot.org/covid.
Carmen Events
What The Fach?
Digital discussion exploring the fluidity of vocal types, moderated by COT Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya. Featuring Carmen star Stephanie Blythe, acclaimed countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, and writer Aiden Feltkamp, who curated the recently published Anthology of New Music: Trans & Nonbinary Voices.
Streaming via Zoom
Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 7pm Central
Free to attend; advance registration is required at www.cot.org.
Close-Up with Carmen
Conversation hosted by Center on Halsted's Edna D. Mascara and moderated by COT Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya, featuring musicologist Dr. Katherine Syer. Focusing on the history of cross-dressing in opera, including live performance excerpts, and ways in which stereotypes can be broken down as traditions evolve.
Center on Halsted
Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 6pm
Free to attend; advance registration is required at www.cot.org.
Performances
• Music by Georges Bizét; libretto by Henri Meilhac & Ludovic Halevy
• Sung in French
• Semi-staged concert performance
Harris Theater for Music & Dance
Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 7:30pm
Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 3:00pm
Conductor: Lidiya Yankovskaya
Director: Joachim Schamberger
Carmen: Jamie Barton
Don José: Stephanie Blythe as Blythely Oratonio
Escamillo: Michael Sumuel
Micaëla: Kimberly E. Jones
Zuniga: Brandon Cedel
Frasquita: Rachel Blaustein
Mercédès: Leah Dexter
Le Dancaïre: Evan Bravos
About Chicago Opera Theater
Chicago Opera Theater is a company laser-focused on living its values: expanding the tradition of opera as a living art form, producing high-quality works new to Chicago audiences, identifying top-tier casts and creative talent at the beginning of grand operatic careers, and following through on commitments to equity and access – behind the scenes, on the stage, and in the audience. Since its founding in 1973, COT has grown from a grassroots, community-based company to a national leader in an increasingly vibrant, diverse, and forward-looking art form. COT has staged over 149 operas, including 77 Chicago premieres and 44 operas by American composers. COT is led by Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson General Director Ashley Magnus and Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya, who is one of only two women to hold that title at a multimillion-dollar opera company in the United States. In addition to its mainstage season, COT is devoted to the development and production of new opera in the United States through its three-pronged Vanguard Initiative, launched in 2018. The Vanguard Initiative trains emerging opera composers, invests time and talent in new opera at various stages of the creative process, and opens up opportunities for Chicago audiences to become part of the development of new work, in dialogue with the creators themselves.