National Opera Week takes place Nov. 13-22, 2009 and celebrates the vitality of opera in America as a contemporary cultural expression.

Chicago Opera Theater (COT), partnering with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs, are  proud to participate in this exciting, week-long celebration with “Pop-up Opera” performances around Chicago, a young professionals’ night at Rock Bottom Brewery and a free double bill of two one-act operas at Preston Bradley Hall in the Chicago Cultural Center.

National Opera Week is organized by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts.

“At Chicago Opera Theater we strive to make opera accessible to contemporary audiences, and National Opera Week is a perfect way to let us demonstrate that,” said COT General Director Brian Dickie. “So, we are very excited to bring opera to people throughout Chicago, especially in places you might not expect!”

National Opera Week in Chicago begins with “Pop-up Opera” performances throughout the city.  These short “flash” performances of popular opera favorites will be performed by COT Young Artists in unexpected places.

Visit ChicagoOperaTheater.org/operaweek for hints on where and when “Pop-up Opera” will be that week!

On Wednesday, Nov. 18, Chicago Opera Theater’s young professional group, Opera Underground, presents “Beers and Baritones” at Rock Bottom Brewery.

The evening, aimed at young professionals aged 21 to 45, is only $25 and includes beer, wine, light appetizers, with a short performance by Leila Bowie and Martin Woods, both members of COT’s Young Artists Program.

Finally, on Friday, Nov. 20, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs presents Chicago Opera Theater’s double bill of two-one act operas: Jake Heggie’s At the Statue of Venus and Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari’s Susanna’s Secret.

This finale of National Opera Week takes place in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center and is free and open to the public!

The two operas feature COT Young Artists Leila Bowie, Catalina Cuervo and Martin Woods.

The National Opera Week celebration will reach from coast to coast with over 90 opera companies from 32 states and will offer a range of programs for the public.

Opera Week will demonstrate the allure and accessibility of opera, this most multi-media of the arts, and will be accessible to both opera lovers and newcomers to the art form.

• For more information on Chicago Opera Theater Opera Week events, please go to ChicagoOperaTheater.org/operaweek.

• For more information on all National Opera Week events around Chicago and the country, please go to OperaAmerica.org/now.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Colleen Flanigan, 312-704-8420, Ext. 225
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
cflanigan@chicagooperatheater.org