Chicago Opera Theater Presents the North American Premiere of Ferdinando Paër, Giuseppe Maria Foppa, and Giacomo Cinti's Leonora
Sep. 28, 2024
On October 1, Chicago Opera Theater will present the North American premiere of Leonora by Ferdinando Paër, Giuseppe Maria Foppa, and Giacomo Cinti under the baton of conductor Dame Jane Glover with stage direction by Lawrence Edelson. Leonora is based on a deeply moving, true story that took place in France in the 18th century that revolves around a young woman who disguises herself as a man and under the name of Fidelio to rescue her wrongfully imprisoned husband. One of four operas inspired by the 1798 libretto Léonore by Jean Nicolas Bouilly, which was originally set to music by Pierre Gaveaux, the politically infused plot subsequently inspired not only Paër, but also composers Simon Mayr and, of course, Ludwig van Beethoven, whose opera Fidelio is frequently performed.
Of special note, Chicago Opera Theater’s production of Leonora is the first fully staged production in the world to use the new critical edition of the score, recently prepared by Bärenreiter.
Click here to read "Leonora In Conversation with Lawrence Edelson," a conversation about the opera with the director.
To learn more about Ferdinando Paër, visit bärenreiter.com.
Ferdinando Paër
Leonora ossia L'Amor conjugale
Historical tale in two acts
Libretto (It) by Giuseppe Maria Foppa and Giacomo Cinti
2S-solo, 3T-solo, 2B-solo
2.2.2.2-2.2.0.0-timp-str-basso continuo
full evening