The Saint of Bleecker Street CHICAGO PREMIER! Sunday, June 3, 2012, 3:00pm Saturday, June 9, 2012, 7:30pm Sunday, June 10, 2012, 3:00pm Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, Chicago Click here for directions Composer/Librettist—Gian Carlo Menotti Stage Director—Michael Capasso Conductor—Victoria Bond Sung in English with orchestra! Produced in collaboration with DiCapo Opera, New York City

Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti, unashamed of theatricality and tonal melody, ranks as one of the most original and popular 20th century opera composers.  Writing his own librettos, Menotti ranged far in the subjects he chose for his operas, from a police-state nightmare (The Consul) to the tragedy of a woman caught between reality and an incredible world beyond (The Medium) to out hugely popular annual Christmas opera production, Amahl and the Night Visitors.  Menotti's The Saint of Bleecker Street, written in English and dating from 1954, is the story of a simple young girl in New York's Little Italy who hears voices and sees visions.  Her protective brother Michele, who is also a convinced atheist, thinks his sister needs hospitalization, but he cannot stop their neighbors from believing his sister to be a saint.  A grand opera experience that has everything: a compelling story line, three-dimensional characters from ordinary life, rich vocal writing, a sumptuous orchestration, and high theatricality!  Don’t miss its Chicago premiere!

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