Chicago Opera Theater Celebrates National Opera Week
By Alexander Hough in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 16, 2009 5:20PM
In celebration of National Opera Week, the Chicago Opera Theater has sent its members to random places throughout the city to give short "Pop-Up Opera" performances. You can get tips on the locations and times on COT's website or Twitter. As an added bonus, if you tweet about the "Pop-Up" performance you're seeing (make sure to include #popupopera), you could win COT subscriptions, tickets to Kathleen Battle's performance with the Chicago Children's Choir, and $50 restaurant gift cards.
COT has also planned a couple events:
- "Beers and Baritones" - Wednesday, November 18
COT will wet your whistle this Wednesday evening at Rock Bottom Brewery. For $25 ($35 at the door), you'll get beer, wine, and appetizers, as well as a short performance by two members of COT's Young Artists Program, soprano Leila Bowie and baritone Martin Woods. "Beers and Baritones" is a part of Opera Underground, the COT's group for young professionals (ages 21 to 45). There's no need to be a member to attend Wednesday night, but it's something to have on your radar: A $90 membership includes a Wednesday night ticket to two spring performances, receptions before operas, and other discounts. (We're told they will also be selling memberships AT the event at a further discount for $80.)
Rock Bottom Brewery, 1 W. Grand, Wednesday, November 18, at 6:00 p.m., $25 advance, $35 door
- Free Double Bill - Friday, November 20
COT will close out National Opera Week with a free performance of a couple one-act operas: Jake Heggie's "At the Statue of Venus" and Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's "Susanna Secret."
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, Friday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m., FREE