Glass Will Discuss Opera at Noon Music Mart Event and Attend Opening Night June 7

The DePaul Opera Theatre (DOT) will present the American premiere of composer Philip Glass’ opera “The Marriages Between Zones Three, Four and Five,” with libretto by celebrated British novelist Doris Lessing, on June 7, 9 and 10 at DePaul University’s Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, in Chicago. The performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. on June 7 and 9 and at 2 p.m. on June 10.

Prior to attending the opening night performance of “Marriages,” Glass will discuss the opera and his music, and answer audience questions, during a free public “Tunes at Noon” event on June 7 in the Chicago Music Mart at the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd, concourse level. Classical music writer and WFMT radio host Andrew Patner will host the noon event, which also will feature a performance by DePaul Opera Theatre members.

DOT director Harry Silverstein said the American premiere of “Marriages” is the most ambitious and significant production by the DePaul opera company to date. “Philip Glass is among the world’s greatest modern composers and Doris Lessing is an internationally acclaimed author,” Silverstein said. “The DePaul Opera Theatre is honored to present the American premiere of this important opera that combines the talents of these two great artists.”

Presented for the first time anywhere in its original English-language version, with new music written by Glass for the premiere, the production will star eight talented voice students from DePaul’s highly regarded School of Music opera program. The cast was chosen last fall by Glass and Silverstein during auditions at DePaul’s School of Music. Glass also will attend opera rehearsals during the week of June 4.

The opera features an orchestra of Chicago’s top professional players, many from the faculty of DePaul School of Music. “Marriages” will be conducted by Robert Kaminskas, with a chorus of 70 directed by DePaul Choral Program Director Clayton Parr. The production’s futuristic sets have been created by Lyric Opera of Chicago artist Scott Marr, with lights by Joseph Jefferson award-winning designer Chris Solger-Binder and costumes designed by Jefferson certificate winner Jennifer Keller.

Based on a science fiction novel by Lessing, the opera focuses on a planet where peace-loving queen Al Ith of harmonious Zone Three has been ordered by despotic unseen figures called the Providers to marry the warrior king Ben Ata of orderly and militaristic Zone Four. The mismatched pair find love but must face separation caused by the dictates of the Providers, who later require Ben Ata to marry Vashti, the queen of savage Zone Five. “This opera uses a powerful and riveting love story to explain how a race of people, from another world, have lost their way,” said Silverstein. “The life of this planet has come to disorder as each zone separates itself from the others, isolating the people from important parts of their own personalities. The vision and love of the Providers intervenes to bring the disparate aspects of this planet back together. Through the lives of a few people who are profoundly changed, the planet finds hope.”

Silverstein has wanted to produce the opera ever since he directed the 1988 European premiere of “The Making of the Representative for the Planet Eight” for the English National Opera—the first opera collaboration between Lessing and Glass. “Marriages” and “The Representative” are based on novels that are part of Lessing’s science fiction series, “Canopus in Argos: Archives.” A German translation of the “Marriages” opera was first performed in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1997.

Silverstein has worked with Glass on productions of “Satyagraha,” “Akhnaten,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.” He has directed professional opera across the United States, in Europe and South America, and recently directed the Chicago Opera Theatre’s “The Good Soldier Schweik” to positive reviews.

Tickets to “The Marriages Between Zones Three, Four and Five,” range from $10 to $25 and can be obtained through the Merle Reskin Theatre box office by calling (312) 922-1999. For more information about the “Tunes at Noon” event with Glass, call (312)362-6700.