Something Old, Something New opens February 28, 2024

A Double Bill of Adam’s The Chalet and Lynch’s The Boor
performed in English with projected English titles

Adolphe Adam: The Chalet
Daniel, a young, wealthy farmer in the Swiss canton of Appenzell, is tricked into believing that Bettly, the attractive lady owner of a  chalet, has agreed to marry him. Having prepared a marriage contract giving her all he possesses, he learns that she does not want to marry anyone, and in despair, decides to enlist in the army. Bettly’s brother Max, who has been in the army since he left fifteen years before, has returned at last, but neither Daniel nor Bettly recognize him. Seeing Daniel’s deep affection for his sister, Max contrives to bring the would-be couple together through a harmless deceit. Considered the first French operetta, The Chalet was written in 1834 by the composer of the enduring ballet Giselle and the dramatic carol O Holy Night. The opera will be performed in a new English adaptation for the first time.

Francis L. Lynch: The Boor
Madam Popov, the grieving widow of a landowner in Imperial Russia, receives a visit from brash, loud-mouthed Grigory Smirnov, who wants to collect on a debt owed by her late husband. She explains that she cannot pay him because it is exactly seven months since her husband died and she’s in no mood to think of money. When Smirnov protests that he must have the money that very day because of a mortgage that is due the next day, she remains adamant that he will have to wait to collect his money. An argument ensues and Smirnov eventually feels insulted and defiantly challenges her to a duel. When she refuses to back down, Smirnov comes to realize that he has met his match, in more ways than one. EChO resident composer Francis Lynch wrote The Boor in 2023 and based the libretto on an early one-act farce by Anton Chekhov.

Three opportunities to enjoy these world premieres!

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Friday, March 1, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 3:00 pm
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
2120 Lincoln Street, Evanston, IL 60201

 

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

 

 

From the Studio closed February 18, 2023

A Double Bill of Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief and Hoiby’s Bon Appétit!
performed in English with projected English titles

Giancarlo Menotti: The Old Maid and the Thief
An aging spinster and her live-in maid invite an attractive homeless man to be their guest in their home, only to fear that he may well be the burglar who is upsetting the community. Their attempts to keep him placated become increasingly contrived when he insists on leaving, with disastrous results for the old maid. The first opera written intentionally for performance on radio in 1939, by the composer of Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Lee Hoiby: Bon Appétit!
Be part of the studio audience for an episode of Julia Child’s cooking show! Lee Hoiby adapted the actual script from a show in which Julia prepares a chocolate cake, and set it to delightful music for a solo mezzo-soprano. The opera was premiered in 1989 by Jean Stapleton of All in the Family fame.

More About the Most Recent Production

Three hilarious performances of these delightful operas!

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Friday, February 17, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 3:00 pm
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
2120 Lincoln Street, Evanston, IL 60201


A Family Favorite closed March 12, 2022

Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel
performed in English with projected English titles
accompanied by a chamber ensemble of 16 players

Based on the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale and infused with folk-music-inspired themes, this opera tells the story of a poor broom-maker and his wife who struggle to make ends meet and to provide for their daughter Gretel and son Hansel. When the children wander off into the woods and become lost, they eventually encounter the cottage of a witch who loves children… if they have been properly cooked! Enthusiastic audiences joined us for ravishingly beautiful music sung by a brilliant cast in this timeless and heartwarming story of good triumphing over evil.

More About this Previous Production

These performances were generously sponsored by Alice and Frederick Barber

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Friday, March 11, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 3:00 pm
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
2120 Lincoln Street, Evanston, IL 60201

 


Comedy Again?! Closed March 15, 2020

Another Comic Opera Double Bill
performed in English with projected English titles

Emmanuel Chabrier: An Incomplete Education
When his wedding night arrives, a well-educated young man (portrayed by a soprano in a pants role) finds his teacher has left out some important details. This charming work by the French Romantic composer was praised by Ravel, who wrote: “There is more real music in this little score than in many a big operatic work.”

Eugen d’Albert: The Departure
Fearing that his best friend may make advances on his wife while he is away on a long journey, a suspicious husband sets his friend to a series of impossible tasks to help him prepare for his supposed departure. The German composer tossed off this little comedic gem in a few short weeks in 1898; for these performances, we used an English libretto created by the distinguished vocal pedagogue, Clayne Robison.

More About this Previous Production

These charming and neglected works were revived in three performances

Friday, March 13, 2020 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 4:00 pm
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
2120 Lincoln Street, Evanston, IL 60201


Comedy Tonight! Closed March 17, 2019

A Comic Opera Double Bill
performed in English with projected English titles
accompanied by a chamber ensemble of 11 players

Georges Bizet: Doctor Miracle
The 18-year-old French composer (who would later compose Carmen) won a competition for his setting of this improbable but hilarious opéra comique in which the Mayor of Padua is outwitted by Captain Silvio in his quest for the hand of the Mayor’s daughter, Laurette.

Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari: Susanna’s Secret
The Italian composer’s colorful music sparkles in this early twentieth century chamber opera about a suspicious husband and his young wife’s surprising secret, and a stormy confrontation which eventually gives way to an unexpectedly sweet resolution.

More About this Previous Production

Brilliant singers and instrumentalists brought these classic works to life in just three performances!

Friday, March 15, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 17, 2019 at 3:00 pm
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
2120 Lincoln Street, Evanston, IL 60201


A World Premiere Closed February 17, 2018

A Chamber Opera on a Maritime Tragedy

Based on a true event, this new work by Francis L. Lynch, the composer of Joseph’s Gift, uses just six singers and five players (flute, clarinet, violin, viola, and cello) in twenty brief scenes to relate the tale of a tragic episode in maritime history.

Two outstanding casts sang the premiere performances of this new opera

Friday, February 9, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Friday, February 16, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 7:30 pm
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
2120 Lincoln Street, Evanston, IL 60201

 

 


Previous Production: Also a World Premiere

The Christmas story from the viewpoint of the forgotten man…

In December of 2016, EChO’s production team presented the world premiere of Francis Lynch’s Christmas chamber opera, Joseph’s Gift, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Evanston. Click the link below to learn about the production and watch a video of the entire opera.

 

“…Lynch and Reeser have gifted us a new Christmas story…much of the success of the evening must be attributed to [Music Director James] Janssen…”

Chicago Theatre Review, December 11, 2016