FROM: Magda Krance (mkrance@lyricopera.org) Jack Zimmerman (jzimmerman@lyricopera.org) LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO 20 North Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 312-332-2244
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tues., Jan. 16, 2007
The tests and triumphs of faith during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror -Symposium on Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Dialogues of the Carmelites
to be presented Sunday, January 28 in conjunction with DePaul University and Loyola University
Tickets $25/advance, $35/door, $10 students with ID
January 28 program to feature prominent musicians, historians, and theology scholars discussing Francis Poulenc’s operatic masterpiece, Dialogues of the Carmelites, inspired by the story of 16 nuns guillotined during the Reign of Terror Dialogues of the Carmelites to receive its Lyric Opera premiere Feb. 17-Mar. 17 at the Civic Opera House - Tickets $31 - $179
On Sunday, January 28, from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m., three panels comprising scholars and musicians from DePaul and Loyola universities and Lyric Opera of Chicago will explore “Catholicism, Martyrdom and the French Revolution” and “French Catholicism in the mid20th Century” at DePaul’s concert hall. The panel discussions will be followed by a musical exploration of Francis Poulenc’s 20th-century masterpiece Dialogues of the Carmelites, which will be presented by Lyric Opera in a Robert Carsen-directed production Feb. 17-Mar. 17. Legendary Romanian soprano Virginia Zeani, who created the leading role of Blanche de la Force in the world premiere (1957) at Milan’s La Scala opera house, will be a featured panelist along with Lyric's current interpreter of the role, Isabel Bayrakdarian. The two artists will be interviewed by Lyric’s dramaturg, Roger Pines. The symposium will take place Sun., Jan. 28, 1- 5:00 p.m. at DePaul University Concert Hall, 800 W. Belden Ave., Chicago. James Halstead, O.S.A. will be the master of ceremonies. Among those taking part in the symposium are: • Mark Bosco, S.J., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Theology and English, Loyola University. • Thomas Brown, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Music, DePaul University
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David Gitomer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Religious Studies, DePaul University. Suzanne Kaufman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, Loyola University. Andrew McKenna, Ph.D., Professor of French, Modern Language Department, Loyola University.
The symposium is sponsored by DePaul University, Loyola University, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Public parking is available at the Sheffield Parking Garage, 2331 N. Sheffield Ave. For more information about the Dialogues of the Carmelites symposium, call DePaul University (773) 325 -7386 or Lyric Opera of Chicago’s education department (312) 8275912. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door, and $10 for students with ID. DIALOGUES OF THE CARMELITES / Francis Poulenc 9 performances Feb. 17(ma), 20, 23, 26,
Mar. 2, 5, 9, 14, 17. Sung in French with projected English titles.
Dialogues of the Carmelites recounts an actual historical occurrence – the martyrdom of the nuns of Compiègne (a small town north of Paris) during the French Revolution – through the experiences of a fictional, profoundly touching protagonist. She is Blanche de la Force (soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian), a young Parisian aristocrat who is terrified of life in the world she knows. She seeks refuge as a novice in the convent of Compiègne, where she is welcomed by the ailing mother superior, Mme. de Croissy (mezzo-soprano Felicity Palmer) and befriended by the sunny Sister Constance (soprano Anna Christy). Once the mother superior dies, significant tension develops between her successor, Mme. Lidoine (soprano Patricia Racette) and the formidable Mother Marie (mezzo-soprano Jane Irwin/Lyric debut). The cast also includes Blanche’s father, the Marquis de la Force (bass-baritone Dale Travis), and her brother, the Chevalier de la Force (Joseph Kaiser). Sir Andrew Davis conducts the production originally directed by Robert Carsen, staged at Lyric by Didier Kersten (Lyric debut). The set designer is Michael Levine, costume designer is Falk Bauer (Lyric debut), and Christine Binder will create the lighting based on the original designs by Jean Kalman. Donald Palumbo is chorus master. Phillipe Giraudeau’s original choreography is being revived for Lyric by August Tye. “This opera presents an incredibly powerful experience¸” says Lyric’s general director, Willliam Mason. “It never fails – by the end you’re just blown away by the drama, and the emotional impact of the music.” The production is owned by the Netherlands Opera. The Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust and The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust are the generous sponsors of this presentation. To purchase tickets to performances of Dialogues of the Carmelites at Lyric Opera of Chicago, call 312-332-2244, ext. 5600, or go to www.lyricopera.org . SPECIAL NOTE: An hour before each performance, dramaturg Roger Pines will give a FREE 25-minute lecture and presentation on the opera on the main floor of the Ardis Krainik Theatre. To learn more about Lyric’s NExT discounted ticket program for fulltime students, please go to http://www.lyricopera.org/next/login.aspx To learn more about Dialogues of the Carmelites, attend Lyric’s Discovery Series, Thurs. Feb. 15, 6-7 p.m. at the UBS Tower, 1 N. Wacker Dr., for a discussion by cast members Patricia Racette, Isabel Bayrakdarian, and Felicity Palmer, moderated by Roger Pines. $15; for more information call 312-827-5912. For production photos of Dialogues of the Carmelites, please contact Press Relations Coordinator Emily Lange: 312-827-5923, or elange@lyricopera.org