Book of Mountains and Seas

LAWRENCE EDELSON EDLIS NEESON GENERAL DIRECTOR

LIDIYA YANKOVSKAYA

ELIZABETH MORSE & GENIUS MUSIC DIRECTOR

January 26-28 The Chicago Premiere of Book of Mountains and Seas is presented by Chicago Opera Theater in partnership with the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival.

Festival. Tour produced by Beth Morrison Projects.

Projects.

Book of Mountains and Seas received funding from the Robert & Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc., The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, and OPERA America’s Next Stage program, program, which was funded with gifts from OPERA America’s 50th Anniversary Campaign, Campaign, including a leadership gift from Frayda B. Lindemann.

Supplemental support for revisions was generously provided by the Mellon Foundation.

Fifty & Fabulous: A Golden Night of Song and Celebration ON SALE NOW! Celebrate 50 years of bold and moving opera in Chicago and toast to COT’s future!

When: Friday, April 5, 2024 Where: Venue West (221 N Paulina St) When: 6-10PM Join the honorary committee today by contacting Director of Development Meaghan Smallwood at ms@cot.org or 312-874-7454. cot.org/gala

CONTACT INFO @ JANDLCATERING.COM OR CALL 312.280.7900 TO START PERSONALIZING YOUR EVENT

More information here!

WELCOME FROM LAWRENCE EDELSON EDLIS NEESON GENERAL DIRECTOR

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Studebaker Theater for Book of Mountains and Seas. Collaboration is one of Chicago Opera Theater’s core values, and we could not be more thrilled to be partnering with the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival and Beth Morrison Projects to bring this remarkable production to you!

Every time I sit down to write a welcome letter in our program, I think about how I should introduce the performance you are about to see. Fortunately, I don’t have to do the heavy lifting this weekend – as we are thrilled to have composer and librettist Huang Ruo with us in residence for these performances! I first had the privilege of working with Huang Ruo when he was composing M.Butterfly for Santa Fe Opera. In my work at American Lyric Theater in New York City, we facilitated the developmental workshops for M.Butterfly.

During those workshops, I got to see the excitement and magic that Huang Ruo brings to everything he does first hand.

Excitement and magic are certainly words one could use to describe Book of Mountains and Seas. If you’ve been to a Chicago Opera Theater performance before, you’ve come to expect the unexpected… but you’ve likely never seen an opera like this! We are similarly thrilled to welcome Basil Twist to Chicago, whose visually stunning production is brought to life by a gifted group of puppeteers and the singers from Ars Nova Copenhagen, one of the most versatile and inventive vocal ensembles in the world. This truly is opera as a living art form – bringing COT’s mission alive on stage.

Book of Mountains and Seas marks the mid-point of our 50th Anniversary celebrations at COT. We launched the season in the fall with a riveting performance of David T. Little’s Soldier Songs, and in December we presented the Chicago premiere of Shostakovich’s The Nose. In April, we will present Gillian Rae Perry and Marcus Amaker's The Weight of Light, the fifth concert premiere commissioned through COT's Vanguard Initiative; and in May, we conclude our season with the world premiere production of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer's Before It All Goes Dark, based on a story by Chicago's own Howard Reich, in partnership with Music of Remembrance. We would love to see you at these upcoming performances.

Of course, we can’t celebrate fifty years without throwing a party! On Friday, April 5th, we invite you to join us at Venue West in the West Loop for Fifty & Fabulous: A Golden Night of Song and Celebration. This very special Gala will be a night to remember, complete with extraordinary performances, delectable cuisine, and a celebration of the incredible legacy that COT has established over five decades. Tickets for the Gala are on sale now at cot.org/gala.

Whether you are joining us for the first time today, or are a regular attendee of COT performances, thank you for your support. By being here, by purchasing tickets, by making donations, and by attending other events at both Chicago Opera Theater and the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, you are letting us know that you are excited by the future of opera and theater in this incredible city. Continue to expect the unexpected from us… and we will continue to surprise and entertain you!

With all best wishes, Lawrence Edelson Edlis Neeson General Director

PROGRAM NOTE FROM HUANG RUO COMPOSER & LIBRETTIST Book of Mountains and Seas《山海經》is a work of vocal theatre for 12 singers, six puppeteers, and two percussionists. It is inspired by the ancient Chinese compilation of early myths of the same title, which was first transcribed in 4th century B.C. Over the years, these mythological stories have become part of Chinese written and oral history, shifted and reshaped to match our contemporary times. The vocal-theatre work Book of Mountains and Seas is a 21st-century adaptation and expansion of four of these tales. Its lyrics are based on the original Chinese texts from the book, with additional newly created words to complete the soundscape and symbolic drama. As the four tales are ancient, they are abstract and timeless. Book of Mountains and Seas contains timeless codes about the Universe, creation, planet, nature, life, human ambition and fate, the relationship and interaction between mankind and the planet, etc.

Scene One: The Legend of Pangu《盤古開天地》 The creation of our planet is told through The Legend of Pangu 《盤古開天地》. The Legend of Pangu illuminates Earth’s birth from a cosmic egg, which contained the hairy giant Pangu. He separates the egg’s parts — the yin and the yang — to create the Earth and the sky, which he held apart for 18,000 years. As Pangu grew, the sky moved further from the Earth; when he died, his body became the Sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, animals, minerals, vegetation, rains, winds, and finally, humans of our planet.

Scene Two: The Spirit Bird 《精衛填海》 Spirit Bird focuses on the relationship between a tiny helpless bird and the vast powerful sea through a tale of an impossible yet persistent revenge. A princess named Nǚ Wá drowns at sea. Her spirit takes over the body of a bird, and for the rest of time she attempts to exact revenge on the water, filling the sea with twigs and pebbles.

Scene Three: The Legend of Ten Suns 《后羿射日》 A continuation of the creation story, scene three is based on the story of the 10 Suns, who are the children of Mother Xī Hé and Dì Jùn, God of the Eastern Heaven. The 10 Suns peacefully resided on a mulberry tree in the eastern sea. Each Sun revolved around Earth in formation riding a Sun bird, a routine that they tired of. One day, the 10 Suns decided to fly out together, which shriveled the crops, dried up the water, and caused animals and humans to die. Hou Yì, God of Archery, was called upon to help control his children. Hou Yì killed nine of the suns, sparing the last to leave Earth with light. Out of fear, the remaining sun remains faithful to his fixed schedule of flight, which creates night and day.

Scene Four: Kuā Fù Chasing the Sun 《誇父逐日》 Kuā Fù is a giant who wished to capture the Sun. Kuā Fù was perplexed by the Sun’s whereabouts at night and decided to chase and catch the Sun. With each stride he gets closer to the Sun, however, he could never catch up to it. He followed the Sun from the East to the West, draining all rivers and lakes crossing his path as sources of water to quench his burning thirst as he closed in on the star. However, he couldn’t finish his quest because he died of the extreme heat and exhaustion. When he died, he dropped his walking stick on the ground, which grows into forests of peach blossom trees.

These myths will be reinterpreted through the lens of our modern-day relationship with the world we live in.

The two creation stories conjure a sense of respect and awe for the Universe and environment. In The Legend of Pangu, the humble lesson to learn is that humans, although are the rulers of our planet now, are created last. They are created as equally as with everything else. However, do humans respect the nature and the natural process of Universal order? In The Spirit Bird, this intriguing story asks important questions: is weak force always meant to submit and surrender to strong force? Is endless revenge always meaningless? In Kuā Fù Chasing the Sun, it is illustrated that the ambition of human beings and the belief that nature can be conquered and consumed endlessly will eventually backfire on us. Maybe in this apocalyptic moment of the world, nature gets the last laugh and will survive beyond us.

Huang Ruo Composer & Librettist

First Production 2021

Royal Danish Opera Composer & Librettist: Huang Ruo Director: Basil Twist

ARS NOVA COPENHAGEN Anna Schubert Ann-Christin Wesser Ingels Mari Øyrehagen Hanne Marie le Fevre Laura Lamph Iris Oja Luís Toscano James Robinson Jakob Skjoldborg Asger Lynge Petersen Rasmus Kure Thomsen Mikkel Tuxen

PUPPETEERS Emily Batsford Lute Breuer Ben Elling Rosa Elling Rachel Schapira Ashley Winkfield

ARTISTIC Composer & Librettist Huang Ruo Conductor Miles Lallemant Director & Production Designer Basil Twist

BOOK OF MOUNTAINS AND SEAS BETH MORRISON PROJECTS - BOARD Board Chair Nancy Sanders President Beth Morrison Vice-chair Dr. Michael Siegal, M.D., Ph.D.

General Manager Liz Uchtman Senior Associate Producer Julia Mendes Development Associate Noel Holloway

Vice-chair Richard Ellingsen

Touring & Artist Services Associate Melanie Holm

Treasurer Miles Benickes

Mellon Producing Fellow Betsy Podsiadlo

Secretary Charlotte Isaacs

Bookkeeper Cynthia Bastidas

Ralph Dandrea Nicholas Firth Kiki Ramos Gindler Marian A. Godfrey Helen Little Scott Lord Frederick Peters Sandy Pressman Morris Robinson Kamala Sankaram Gregory Spears Mark Wanek

Communications & Marketing Coordinator Patty TBD

ADVISORY BOARD

PRODUCTION

Linda Brumbach Renée Fleming Nathan Gunn David Howse Colleen Jennings-Roggensack Joseph V. Melillo

Assistant Director Kate Brehm

STAFF

Stage Manager Natalie Wagner

President and Creative Producer Beth Morrison

Production Manager Tony Crawford

Executive Director Sam Linden

ORCHESTRA

Director of Development Kendra Wieneke

Percussionists Michael Murphy John Ostrowski

Director of Production Roderick Murray

Lighting Designer Ayumu Poe Saegusa

Prototype Festival Producer Sarah Bellin

Director of Touring Victoria Voketaitis

Artistic & Management Assistant Mia Kong Unison Media & Press Agent Andrew Ousley

COMMISSIONING CREDITS This production is dedicated to the loving memory of Stuart Nelson.

Book of Mountains and Seas was commissioned by Beth Morrison Projects, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Moss Arts Center/Virginia Tech, Soundstreams, Koorbiennale, and Hong Kong New Vision Arts Festival, and Linda & Stuart Nelson. This production is also supported by the Canada Council for the Arts #BringingTheArtsToLife.

Book of Mountains and Seas is made possible by the Jim Henson Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor’s Office and the New York State Legislature.

Additional commissioning support provided by the Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts.

CHICAGO OPERA THEATER BOARD AND STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STAFF

President Susan J. Irion

Edlis Neeson General Director Lawrence Edelson

Secretary Allen Heinemann

Elizabeth Morse & Genius Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya

Immediate Past President Henry Fogel

Director of Artistic Operations Brittany Nelson

DIRECTORS

Director of Development Meaghan Smallwood

Alissa Andraski Peter Ascoli Ron Bauer Merrill Blau Paul E. Freehling Michael G. Hansen Stephanie Hart Mary Lunz Houston Maria Lagios James G. McCormick David McNeel Susan Noel Dorothy Osborn Pavrita Ramachandran Robert E. Shapiro Virginia Tobiason

HONORARY TRUSTEES Roger Baskes Nancy Dehmlow Joan W. Harris Gael Neeson Gregory J. O’Leary

Director of Operations & Audience Services Scott Gryder Director of Community Programming Veronica Chamberlain Marketing Manager Emmelly Villagran Development Manager Korey Pimental Artistic Operations Assistant Andrew Wolffking Roosevelt CCPA Young Artist Program Liaison Shannon McGinnis

PUPPETEERS

Emily Batsford

RECENT: Book of Mountains and Seas (Puppeteer) on the International Tour, Song of the North (Puppeteer) at Hamid Rahmanian / Two Chairs Productions, PACKRAT (Puppeteer) at Concrete Temple Theatre, Unfolding (Puppeteer) at Margarita Blush Productions), Ernie’s Secret Life (Puppeteer) at Concrete Temple Theater

Lute Breuer RECENT: WarHorse (Puppeteer) at Lincoln Center, The Pee Wee Herman Show (Puppeteer) at The Stephen Sondheim Theater, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Puppeteer) at Radio City Music Hall

Ben Elling

Rosa Elling

RECENT: (Audio/video engineer, and freelance technical director) at several Off-Broadway productions, Rite of Spring (Puppeteer) at Lincoln Center, and HERE (Puppeteer) at Symphonie Fantastique

RECENT: (Fabricator) at Nick Barnes Studios, (Puppeteer) at Tandem Otter

Rachel Schapira

Ashley Winkfield

RECENT: (Puppeteer/Puppet Build Chief/Co-Founder) at Eat Drink Tell Your Friends Puppetry Collective, (Puppeteer) with Basil Twist, (Puppeteer) with Welcome to Campfire, (Puppeteer) with Ripe Time, (Puppeteer) with The Story Pirates, and (Puppeteer) with New Georges

ORCHESTRA - PERCUSSIONISTS

RECENT: (Puppeteer) at Two Fold, The Paper Piece (Puppeteer), Animal Magnetism (Puppeteer) at the China Tour, and The Paper Hat Game and Dreaming (Puppeteer)

Michael Murphy

John Ostrowski

RECENT: Solo and chamber musician (North America, Japan, Myanmar, Armenia, Denmark, and Europe), xylophone (Cuphead), new series of works (Shō)

RECENT: (Freelance percussionist) at the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York City Ballet Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, The American Ballet Theatre Orchestra, and (Accompanied) Paul Taylor Dance Company

ARTISTIC

Huang Ruo | Composer & Librettist

RECENT: Angel Island (Composer & Conductor) at Brooklyn Academy of Music, Book of Mountains and Seas (Composer & Librettist) Touring Internationally, An American Soldier (Composer) at Perelman Performing Arts Center, Folk Songs (Composer) at Belding Theater, The Butterfly Exchange (Composer) at Beijing National Center for the Performing Arts, M. Butterfly (Composer) at Santa Fe Opera

Basil Twist | Director & Production Designer

RECENT: My Neighbour Totoro (Puppetry Designer & Director) at Royal Shakespeare Company, Book of Mountains and Seas (Director and Production Designer) Touring Internationally, Cinderella (Puppetry Designer) at San Francisco Ballet, The Nutcracker (Puppetry Designer) at The Joffrey Ballet, Dogugaeshi (Creator) at the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, Symphonie Fantastique (Creator) at Festival de Casteliers

Miles Lallemant | Conductor

Ayumu Poe Saegusa | Lighting Designer

RECENT: Book of Mountains and Seas (Conductor) Touring Internationally, (Chorus Master) at Ars Nova Copenhagen; Dido and Aeneas (Director), Messiah (Director) , Berliner Messe (Director) at Kensignton Olympia Festival of Music and the Arts

RECENT: (Freelance Lighting Designer) at New York Fringe festival and Lincoln Center Festival, Looking At You (Lighting Designer) at HERE Main stage, and Rite of Spring (Lighting Designer) at White Light Festival at Lincoln Center

PRODUCTION

Kate Brehm | Assistant Director

RECENT: The Poofs (Director/Designer), Dark Space (Director/Designer), Things Fall Apart (Director/Designer), Discrepancies (Director/Designer), and Hansel and Gretel (Director/Designer) at Michigan Opera Theater; Dorothy and the Prince of Oz (Director/Designer) at Tulsa Ballet/ Ballet Met

Natalie Wagner | Stage Manager RECENT: Turandot (Production Stage Manager), Le Comte Ory (Production Stage Manager), Zorro (Production Stage Manager) at Opera Southwest; Sky on Swings (Assistant Stage Manager) at Opera Saratoga; Le Nozze di Figaro (Assistant Stage Manager) at Manhattan School of Music, The Servant of Two Masters (Stage Manager) at Synetic Theater Company

Tony Crawford | Production Manager RECENT: (Operations and Production Manager) at Jacob's Pillow, (Assistant Technical Director) at Richmond Ballet, (Technical Director) at Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, (Assistant Technical Director) at New York City Ballet, and (Production Coordinator) at Brooklyn Academy of Music

ARS NOVA COPENHAGEN ARS NOVA Copenhagen, founded in 1979, is widely recognized as one of the world's finest vocal ensembles.

Ars Nova has worked with Paul Hillier, Bo Holten, Tamás Vetö (former chief conductors), Kaspars Putnins, Andrew Lawrence King, Anthony Rooley, Kees Boeke, Michael Bojesen and Søren K. Hansen (all of whom have appeared as guest conductors).

The ensemble specializes in the interpretation of the polyphonic choral music of the renaissance and new vocal music. Ars Nova is also building collaborations with creative artists in different fields such as drama, film, and ballet, as well as cultivating new modes of concert performance and innovative repertoire.

The group's performances are marked with precision and nerve with a sound that attracts attention worldwide. With an annual concert season in Copenhagen, numerous concerts in the rest of Denmark and recurring tours worldwide, the group is now more in demand than ever. In 2015 Ars Nova completed a longer tour to China with more than ten concerts as a significant part of the Danish cultural campaign in the country. In 2016 they co-organized The Nordic Choir Expedition presenting the leading Nordic choirs and vocal ensembles in each of the Nordic capital cities. Other recent and upcoming tours include Spain, The Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Holland, Finland, Italy, Orkney, England, USA, Canada and Hong Kong.

Ars Nova has recorded a large number of CDs winning numerous awards, including a Grammy for ‘The Little Match Girl Passion’ with music by David Lang (Harmonia Mundi). Among the most recent records are ‘Gallos y Huesos’ with music by Pablo Ortiz, a contemporary Argentinian composer (Orchid Classics), ‘First Drop’ – a recital CD featuring music by Howard Skempton, Michael Gordon, David Lang, Kevin Volans, Pablo Ortiz, Louis Andriessen, Gabriel Jackson, Steve Reich and Terry Riley (Cantaloupe), and ‘Crossing Borders’ featuring music by Danish composers such as Niels W. Gade, Carl Nielsen, Vagn Holmboe and Line Tjørnhøj (Dacapo Records).

For many years, Heinrich Schütz has occupied an important place in Ars Nova’s repertoire and during the years 2008-2011 the group recorded his complete ‘dramatic' works for Easter and Christmas. The four CDs (also available as a box-set) have all received enthusiastic reviews in the international music press. This was reflected when, in 2014, Ars Nova was invited to be artist in residence at the German Heinrich Schütz Musikfest in and around the composer's hometown of Dresden.

Other notable recent releases are ‘Creator Spiritus’ with music by Arvo Pärt (Harmonia Mundi) and ‘The Golden Age of Danish Part Songs’ (Dacapo Records) featuring a line-up of top Danish vocal composers from the past 200 years.

BETH MORRISON PROJECTS Beth Morrison Projects (BMP) is one of the foremost creators and producers of new opera-theatre and music theatre, with a fierce commitment to leading the industry into the future, cultivating a new generation of talent, and telling the stories of our time.

Founded by “contemporary opera mastermind” (LA Times) Beth Morrison, who was honored as one of Musical America’s Artists of the Year/Agents of Change in 2020, BMP has grown into “a driving force behind America’s thriving opera scene” (Financial Times), with Opera News declaring that the company, “more than any other… has helped propel the art form into the twenty-first century.”

Operating across the US and internationally, with offices in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, BMP’s unique model offers living composers the support, guidance, and freedom to experiment, allowing them to create singularly innovative and impactful projects. Since forming in 2006, the company has commissioned, developed, produced and toured over 50 works in 14 countries around the world, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning chamber operas Angel’s Bone and p r i s m.

In 2013, BMP co-founded the PROTOTYPE Festival with HERE, which has been called “utterly essential” (The New York Times), “indispensable” (The New Yorker), and “one of the world’s top festivals of contemporary opera and theater” (Associated Press).

CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL PUPPET THEATER FESTIVAL THE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL PUPPET THEATER FESTIVAL is the preeminent event dedicated to the artform in the U.S. In the heart of winter, the Festival spans 11 days and dozens of Chicago venues, sharing 100+ puppetry performances and events for 14,000+ audience members. Since its launch in 2015, the Festival has highlighted artists from nations such as Chile, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, and South Africa, as well as from Europe, Chicago and across the U.S. with the goal of promoting peace, equality, and justice on a global scale.

The Festival is a collaboration among more than 20 Chicago cultural institutions and is made possible by generous philanthropic support from organizations and individuals.

Blair Thomas, Artistic Director & Festival Founder Sandy Smith Gerding, Executive Director

WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR DONORS Leadership Circle

$100,000+ Anonymous Patricia A. Kenney & Gregory J. O’Leary^ Elizabeth Amy Liebman Mellon Foundation The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust Robert & Penelope Steiner Family Foundation $50,000-$99,999 Paul M. Angell Family Foundation Lucy & Peter* Ascoli Julie & Roger Baskes Nancy Dehmlow ^ Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Julius N. Frankel Foundation Sue & Paul Freehling John R. Halligan Charitable Fund $25,000-$49,999 Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity Lloyd A. Fry Foundation Masahiro Kasai & Bill Myers^ MacArthur Foundation The Estate of Edward T. Mack National Endowment for the Arts Polk Bros. Foundation Albert Walavich^

Producer’s Circle

$10,000-$24,999 Anonymous Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc. Queta & Ron* Bauer Fred & Phoebe Boelter^ Dale Connelly & Donna Van Eekeren^ The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago Allen Heinemann* & William Borden Mary Lunz* & James Houston^ Illinois Arts Council Agency William Jentes^ Lemont Fund Michael Leppen Laura G. & James G.* McCormick Patricia McMillen^ Negaunee Foundation OPERA America Jean Perkins & Leland Hutchinson Barre Seid & Barbara Landis Susan & Robert* Shapiro The Siragusa Family Foundation Orli & Bill Staley Bhaskaran Swaminathan Virginia Tobiason* $5,000-$9,999 The Amphion Foundation Judith Barnard & Michael Fain^ Mrs. Arthur A. Billings ^ Judith & Merrill* Blau Joyce Chelberg^ Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Frances & Henry* Fogel Gerald & Dr. Colette Gordon^ Michael Hansen* & Nancy Randa Martha Hesse Susan Irion* & Rob DeLand Ronald B. Johnson^ Sol R. Kaufman Family Foundation A. Jeanne LaDuke^ Maria* & Peter Lagios David E. McNeel* Frank Modruson & Lynne Shigley^ Dorothy F. Osborn* & Bud Dobbins^

$5,000-$9,999 CONTINUED Dawn Palmer^ Candace Rudmose Marjorie Stinespring^ Dean Yannias

$1,000-$4,999 CONTINUED Mary & Michael Woolever Debbie K. Wright Lidiya Yankovskaya & Daniel Schwartz^ Linda & Owen Youngman^

Opera Benefactors

Friends of COT

$1,000-$4,999 Anonymous (4) Avli on the Park Dean Bachus Sandra Bass Ellen Benjamin & Fredrick Bates Dr. C. Bekerman Suzanne & William E. Bible Shaun & Andy Block^ John & Claudia Boatright^ Richard Boyum & Louie Chua^ Dr. Juliana Y. Chyu & Dr. David H. Whitney Howard & Anne Conant^ Anne Cunningham Robert & Isabel Curley Andrew Davis & Lynn Dykstra Marijane Deters^ De Priest Family Foundation, Inc. Ingrid & Rich Dubberke^ Kent Dymak & Theodore Foss^ Kenneth A. East Lawrence Edelson & Kevin F. Kotcher^ Anne Egger^ Foster Family and Lincoln & Elizabeth Ellis Erika Erich^ Janet Eyler & Edwin Walker^ Megan Fellman & Anthony Rosso^ Geoffrey Flick^ David Fox Priscilla & Henry Frisch Raymond Frick Stephen & Elizabeth Geer^ James K. Genden+ & Alma Koppedraijer^ Mary & Lionel Go Ethel & Bill+ Gofen^ Judy & William Goldberg Stephanie Hart*/Brown Sugar Bakery HMS Media, Inc. J&L Catering Julian Family Foundation Moses Lee^ Ashley & Brandon Magnus Jeffery & Cynthia McCreary Marilyn McCoy & Charles Thomas Kevin McGirr^ Jean McLaren & John Nitschke Mercat a la Planxa Patrice Michaels & Jim Ginsburg David Miller^ Charles H. Mottier^ Catherine Mouly & Ted Carlson^ Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel John H. Nelson^ Ed & Gayla Nieminen^ Susan Noel* Pavitra Ramachandran* Marsha & Robert Rosner^ Richard O. Ryan^ Sahara Enterprises, Inc. Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation Ilene and Michael Shaw Charitable Trust Meaghan & Michael Smallwood^ R. John & Kathleen Solaro^ Laraine & David Spector^ Nancy Stainback Dan Tarlock^ Texas Instruments Foundation Frances Vandervoort David J. Varnerin^ Laura Vesecky^ Drs. Dennis & Anne Wentz

$500-$999 Anonymous (2) Judith Bauer Ross Beacraft Peggy & Ron Beata John P. Blosser Galen Bodenhausen Sheila Barton Brosron Ralph & Rona Brown Richard Abram & Paul Chandler Pamela Crutchfield Jan Feldman Firestone Family Foundation Colleen Flanigan Timothy & Janet Fox Gaylord & William Gieseke Prof. James A. Glazier Barbara & William Herzog Gary Huff William Hulsker Capt. Bernardo Iorgulescu, USMC Memorial Fund of DuPage Foundation Nora Jaskowiak & Matthew Hinerfeld Leah Kazaglis Mary Klyasheff Douglas & Catherine Knuth Paul Kobasa Bozena McLees Robert & Lois Moeller Irmgard & Keith Olson Susan Rabe Heidi Rothenberg Marquita Russel & Mark Tiarks Joan & Frank R. Safford David Saunders Edward Schiele Theresa Schreiber John N. Schwartz & James A. Mosley Michael & Salme Harju Steinberg Pauline Taylor Myron & Karen Tiersky Todd & Cari Vieregg Louella Warrd Peter J. Wender Randi Woodworth Tatyana & Boris Yamrom *Board Member ^President’s Council Member +Deceased Donors listed from September 1, 2022 to January 1, 2024. We regret the omission of anyone who contributed after this date, but look forward to recognizing these gifts in future publications.

Book of Mountains and Seas is partially supported by The Morse and Genius Reserve Fund, a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL The Chicago Opera Theater President’s Council was founded by former Board President Gregory J. O’Leary. President’s Council members play an integral role in the future of the company as advocates and supporters. Membership is open to donors contributing at least $1,500 annually, and members enjoy special behind the scenes access on a sponsored production, as well as exclusive events and optional board committee service. In the 2023/24 season, the President’s Council sponsors Shostakovich’s The Nose.

Anonymous (4) Judith Barnard & Michael Fain Mrs. Arthur A. Billings Shaun & Andy Block John & Claudia Boatright Fred & Phoebe Boelter Richard Boyum & Louie Chua Joyce Chelberg Howard & Anne Conant Dale Connelly & Donna Van Eekeren Nancy Dehmlow Marijane Deters Bud Dobbins Ingrid & Rich Dubberke Kent Dymak & Theodore Foss Lawrence Edelson & Kevin F. Kotcher Anne Egger Erika Erich Janet Eyler & Edwin Walker Megan Fellman & Anthony Rosso Geoffery Flick Stephen & Elizabeth Geer

James K. Genden+ & Alma Koppedraijer Ethel & Bill+ Gofen Gerald & Dr. Colette Gordon Mary Lunz* & James Houston William Jentes Ronald B. Johnson Lori Julian Masahiro Kasai & Bill Myers Patricia A. Kenney & Gregory J. O’Leary A. Jeanne LaDuke Moses Lee Kevin McGirr Patricia McMillen David Miller Frank Modruson & Lynne Shigley Charles H. Mottier Catherine Mouly & Ted Carlson John H. Nelson Ed & Gayla Nieminen Dawn Palmer Marsha & Robert Rosner Candace Rudmose

Richard O. Ryan Meaghan & Michael Smallwood R. John & Kathleen Solaro Laraine & David Spector Marjorie Stinespring Dan Tarlock David J. Varnerin Laura Vesecky Albert Walavich Lidiya Yankovskaya & Daniel Schwartz Dean Yannias Linda & Owen Youngman *COT Board Member +Deceased

ENCORE SOCIETY Chicago Opera Theater’s Encore Society is an inspiring group of forward-thinking opera lovers who want to support the future of bold opera in Chicago. These commitments are integral to COT, helping us continue to present exciting premieres and unique productions to the community for years to come. Patrons who have made a designation of any size through bequests, insurance policies, IRAs, or any other legacy-giving asset provision are eligible to become members of COT’s Encore Society. Members enjoy special communiques and exclusive invitations to donor events.

Anonymous Peter* & Lucy Ascoli Julie & Roger Baskes Charlotte & Alan Bath Judith & Merrill* Blau David Boyce Janet Eyler & Edwin Walker Megan Fellman & Anthony Rosso Frances & Henry* Fogel James K. Genden+ Alma Koppedraijer

Allen Heinemann* & William Borden Mary Lunz* & James Houston Susan Irion* & Rob DeLand Ruth Kane Maria* & Peter Lagios Edward T. Mack+ Laura G. & James G.* McCormick John H. Nelson Ed & Gayla Nieminen Dorothy F. Osborn* & Bud Dobbins

Florence Siefkins+ Dan Tarlock Virginia Tobiason* Albert Walavich Claude Weil *COT Board Member +Deceased

If you are interested in joining the President’s Council, or would like more information about planned giving and the Encore Society, please contact Director of Development Meaghan Stainback Smallwood at ms@cot.org or 312-874-7454.

HOW COT IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF OPERA THE VANGUARD INITIATIVE

The Vanguard Initiative is Chicago Opera Theater's fully-comprehensive program for composers ready to delve into the world of opera. This immersive two-year residency includes participation in all COT productions, sessions with top industry leaders, extensive study of repertoire and vocal writing, direct insight into administrative and other behind-the-scenes processes, and culminates with the development of a full-length chamber opera commissioned by COT. The program aims to bridge the gap between general compositional skills and the dramatic storytelling, vocal writing, practical considerations, and real-world experience that help inform an operatic composer’s work. Launched in 2018, the program identifies skilled composers who have not yet had sufficient opportunities for writing opera and provides them with a two-year comprehensive course of study and full immersion in the company, culminating with a commission together with an established librettist.The program is guided and overseen by COT Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya, with Composer Advisors Jake Heggie, Kamala Sankaram, and Gene Scheer. Learn more about the Vanguard Initiative at www.cot.org/vanguard Leadership support for The Vanguard Initiative is generously provided by the Mellon Foundation.

Gillian Rae Perry 2022-2024

Carlos Carrillo 2023-2025

COT/CCPA YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM

Chicago Opera Theater’s Young Artist and Professional Diploma in Opera Program is offered in partnership with with Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. The COT/CCPA Young Artist Program is a specialized opportunity for emerging professional singers and pianists. It allows developing artists with exceptional career promise and mastery of basic skills to focus on all areas of their artistic growth. The program affords them professional experience, particularly in the development and performance of innovative new work, while also supporting them with voice lessons, vocal coaching, and dramatic training from the illustrious music and performance faculty at CCPA. Participants receive a full-tuition scholarship, as well as a monthly stipend during the performance season, which runs from September to April annually. Learn more about the COT/CCPA Young Artist Program at www.cot.org/yap Contact Meaghan Stainback Smallwood at msmallwood@cot.org if you would like to learn how you can sponsor a member of the Young Artist Program.

OPERA FOR ALL

Chicago Opera Theater believes that the future resides in giving students the opportunity to experience opera as active, generative artists – so opera becomes their art form. Opera for All (OFA) is COT’s comprehensive program for Chicago Public Schools students. Opera for All inspires students to understand the art by participating in it, both in production and in performance. During OFA sessions, Teaching Artists guide each classroom through the stages of creating, producing, and performing their own musical shows. In addition to script writing, composing, painting, dancing, and performing, students are able to attend a professional opera performance. Learn more about Opera for All at www.cot.org/ofa Leadership support for Opera for All is generously provided by Marijane Deters, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Mary Lutz and James Houston, Polk Bros. Foundation, and The Siragusa Family Foundation.

Mercat a la Planxa is a modern interpretation of timeless Catalan traditions.

Located on Michigan Avenue, Mercat offers an authentic dining experience that combines fresh meats and produces with the energetic spirit of a Barcelona market. The interiors boast bright, rich fabrics and weathered mosaic tiles, accented by dynamic sculptural furniture and distinctive art murals.

Enter the restaurant through The Blackstone Hotel lobby located on Balbo. A discounted parking rate is available with validation from Standard Parking located in the Chicago Hilton.

Dinner Service Sunday - Saturday 5 - 10 PM Bar Sunday - Saturday 4-10 PM Brunch Saturday & Sunday 7:30 AM-1:30 PM

638 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605 (312) 765-0524 www.mercatchicago.com

CHICAGO OPERA THEATER YOUR TICKET TO INNOVATION FOR 50 YEARS

GILLIAN RAE PERRY / MARCUS AMAKER

APRIL 27, 2024 Vanguard World Premiere

JAKE HEGGIE / GENE SCHEER

MAY 25-26, 2024 World Premiere Tour Presented in partnership with Music of Remembrance

VISIT COT.ORG OR CALL 312-704-8414 FOR MORE INFO