Program areas at Chicago Fringe Opera
TWO REMAIN (March 2022): Continuing our biographical season is American composer Jake Heggie and his 'Year in Chicago' with the Chicago premiere of his latest opera (created with librettist Gene Scheer) based on the separate journals of two Holocaust survivors: Krystyna Zywulska and Gad Beck. The two stories are joined by the shared trauma of war, loss, and forcefully hiding one's identity to endure unimaginable horrors. This production, also delayed by the pandemic, represents a triumph in the artistic execution that CFO is capable of delivering. The production ran for 4 live performances - two of which were sold out - with one performance filmed for digital release after closing. This production was sponsored by an Anonymous Donor and a $2,000 grant from the Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation.
ROSINA REMIXED! (June 2022): Returning to the Pivot Arts Festival where it performed to sold-out crowds in 2019, The Rosina Project family presents ROSINA: REMIXED! The team behind the hip-hopera inspired by The Barber of Seville celebrates coming back together with hit tracks and dance numbers from the original production, plus newly created solo material from the team's collection of artists. Created in collaboration with BraveSoul Movement, presented as part of the 2022 Pivot Arts Festival. CFO received a $10,000 grant to fund the project.
THE WIDOW'S WILL (October 2021): As part of our ongoing partnership with the Decameron Opera Coalition, this camera opera is part of a collection of original film tributes to unsung American heroes. CFO's work celebrates the life and work of the mother of the environmental rights movement, activist Hazel M. Johnson. "The Widow's Will" highlights Johnson's struggle against the City of Chicago to bring attention to the toxic pollution of the Altgeld Gardens community. The film considers her legacy today, as well the effects of politics and racism on her work, ending with a call to action for audiences to continue her environmental activism. This film is produced in grateful collaboration with the People for Community Recovery, the non-profit environmental organization founded by Johnson.
CHICAGO LIVE AGAIN (August 2021): CFO was invited highlight the works of our artists at Navy Pier to celebrate the return to live performances across Chicago. Company Members Khary "K. F. Jacques" Laurent performed "Corsair," CFO's installment of The Decameron Opera Coalition's 2020 project "Tales From a Safe Distance." He also performed excerpts from "The Rosina Project" alongside dancers from Bravesoul Movement. Baritone Keanon Kyles performed "Touch the Water" with cellist David Sands (Music by Matthew Recio, lyrics by Anna Gatdula), originally commissioned by CFO for the 2021 "City of Works" project.
SONGS FROM LETTERS (September 2021): An art song recital inspired by the letter scene in opera, a dramatic device typically employed to express heightened inner emotion or key plot twists. In art song, this device is transformed through settings of historical letters that convey the beauty of real-life language and drama. The recital featured CFO Company Members and guest artists performing song cycles of contemporary composers Gwyneth Walker, Libby Larsen, and Dominick Argento. Originally planned for April 2020, the event was canceled due to pandemic restrictions. This season, CFO's artistic team welcomed audiences back to in-person performance as part of the Ear Taxi Festival's Spotlight Series.