Chicago Classical Music

This is the first time in its 30-year history that DOT will stage “Otello.”

“We are showcasing DuPage Opera’s growth and new vision with this production,” said Muspratt. “Otello is one of the two late period masterpieces of Verdi and an enormous challenge in all areas of music, acting and production. However, with the powerful young cast that we have assembled from Brazil, Tennessee, New York, Ohio and here in Chicago, with the gorgeous set from Syracuse Opera, and with the in-depth stage direction of Michael Ehrman, opera enthusiasts from all over Chicago are going to be thrilled with this production.”

Giuseppe Verdi’s “Otello,” adapted from Shakespeare’s “Othello,” first premiered in 1887 at Milan’s La Scala and is often cited as the greatest Italian opera of the 19th century.  Set in Cyprus after a victorious battle against the Turks, the story centers on Otello, the conquering general and Moor of Venice, and his beautiful wife, Desdemona. Otello’s officer, Iago, becomes filled with resentment when Otello promotes another officer, Cassio, over him. Iago thus plots and manipulates events, twisting Otello into a jealous rage that destroys his marriage and eventually his life.

Stage director Michael Ehrman of Evanston joins Muspratt in the production of “Otello.” A seasoned director on faculty at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Ehrman has been hailed by critics for his insightful productions staged in opera houses throughout North America including Houston Grand Opera, Greater Miami Opera, Boston Lyric Opera and Chicago Opera Theater, among others.

This is Ehrman’s first time directing a production of “Otello.” He has trimmed some of the chorus music to create a very intimate version of the opera, keeping it as close as possible to Shakespeare’s original play.

“By reducing some of the chorus, we’ve crafted a very personal, very powerful version of Otello,” said Ehrman. “We’re really tightening the drama so that the audience becomes utterly absorbed in the characters and their stories.”

Ehrman said bringing a big production like “Otello” into a distinctive theater like the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) is a bold choice, but one that will pay off for the audience.

“Typically, Otello is done in very large houses. Doing it in a more intimate setting like the MAC provides a wonderfully fresh experience for the audience,” said Ehrman. “We’re allowing the audience to truly capture the emotion because they are so close to the actors. We want them to really believe Otello’s rage, to the point of being scared of him.”

The cast is led by Brazilian tenor Marcos Aguiar as Otello. A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Aguiar has appeared with the State of Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestras of the Municipal Theater of Sao Paulo and Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro. In the United States, he has performed with Louisiana Philharmonic and Indiana University Opera Theater. His 2008 schedule includes productions with renowned groups such as Vero Beach Opera, Di Capo Opera Theater, Augusta Opera and Utah Opera Festival.

Joining him is soprano Christia Starnes of Nashville, Tenn., as Desdemona, making her Chicago debut. Selected for Nashville Opera’s Young Artist program, Starnes has recently appeared in Nashville Opera’s “Hansel and Gretel,” Belmont University Opera Theater’s “Die Fledermaus,” and Indiana University Opera Theater’s “Madama Butterfly.” In December 2007, Starnes won the Metropolitan Opera’s Central Illinois District and Central competitions, placing her as one of only 15 to compete in the semi-final round scheduled for February 2008.

Tickets to “Otello” are $43 for adults, $41 for senior citizens, and $33 for students and patrons under 17. To purchase, call 630-942-4000 or visit http://www.atthemac.org/.
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