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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. Chicago audiences will have the extremely rare opportunity to see Paër and Beethoven’s operas side by side, as Chicago Opera Theater’s three performances of Leonora have been scheduled to complement the fall run of Fidelio at Lyric Opera.

Chicago Opera Theater’s production of Leonora will be the first fully staged production in the world to use the new critical edition of the score, recently prepared by Bärenreiter. Dame Jane Glover returns to COT to lead the new production, which will be directed by Lawrence Edelson in his debut with the company. The cast features soprano Vanessa Becerra as Leonora, tenor Edgardo Rocha as Florestano, soprano Keely Futterer as Marcellina, tenor Matthew Pearce as Don Pizzarro, baritone Joo Won Kang as Rocco, bass baritone Alex Soare as Giacchino, and tenor Kameron Alston as Don Fernando.  

COT thanks Nancy Dehmlow and the Morse & Genius Operating Reserve Fund for their generous support of the 2024/25 Season. Leadership support for COT’s production of Leonora has been provided by Julie and Roger Baskes, Orli & Bill Staley, and the COT President’s Council.