Midsummer Dream Fairies And Fables

Join us for two wonderful nights of song at the 19th Century Club Grand Ballroom, on Thursday, July 17 and Friday, July 18 at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 7 pm.

Featuring the Chicago premiere of Pauline Viardot Garcia's 19th century opera The Last Sorcerer, and highlights from Benjamin Britten's Midsummer Night's Dream with other fairy songs.

Midsummer Dream Fairies and Fables: Summer Magic is in the Air July 17 and 18!

The Chicago premiere of Pauline Viardot Garcia's The Last Sorcerer Le dernier sorcier

Presented by Bellissima Opera. Co-produced by Working In Concert and Chamber Opera Chicago

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A cast of 18 professionals and 16 young people transform into fairies, elves and sorcerers on July 17 and 18, 2025 at Oak Park's 19th Century Club. 

The evening features the Chicago premiere of The Last Sorcerer by rediscovered Romantic French composer Pauline Viardot Garcia (libretto by Ivan Turgenev), alongside highlights from Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream and other magical works.

Performances are presented in both English and French, with English supertitles.

Though now largely unfamiliar to the public, composer Viardot Garcia hailed from one of Europe's most renowned musical families. Her father, Manuel Garcia, was a famed vocal teacher, and her sister, Maria Malibran, an opera star. Viardot Garcia inspired Gounod, Berlioz, Meyerbeer, and Saint-Saëns-who dedicated Samson and Delilah to her-and composed five operas, piano works, and numerous songs.

The Last Sorcerer tells of a once-powerful sorcerer bested by clever forest fairies and elves. When his daughter falls for a visiting suitor, he resists-until the suitor's true identity is revealed. The music is ethereal, moving, comic, and always melodic.

Director Carl Ratner (Chicago), former Artistic Director of Chicago Opera Theater, directs The Last Sorcerer and Christine Steyer (Oak Park), Artistic Director of Bellissima Opera, directs the remaining works. With Paul Geiger and Claudia Hommel, narrators, Nina Brewer-Davis, choreographer, Paul Lindblad, conductor, and Peter Stigdon, pianist.

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Performance Dates: Thursday, July 17 and Friday, July 18, 2025 - 7:30-9:30 pm

Location: The 19th Century Club, a historic landmark located at 178 Forest Ave, Oak Park, Illinois, known for its architectural beauty and cultural significance.

Parking: Low-cost parking lot next to the venue. The venue is mobility accessible. Appropriate for ages 7+.
Transportation: CTA/Metra to the Green Line Harlem or Oak Park Avenue stop, a short two-block walk north.

Last year's summer production was sold out. Advanced tickets are advised. Tickets range from $15 to $60. https://workinginconcert.org/summeropera25/

ADULT CAST: Elizabeth Fisher, Barbara Landis, Simon Kyung Lee, Maria Molter, Carl Ratner, Christine Steyer, Lauren Sutherland and Aaron Wardell. 

ADULT ENSEMBLE: Hannah Cummins, Jasmine Doll, Miranda Flanagan, Judy Gaietto-Grace, Hannah Kennedy, Kelci Kosin, Lauren Lassen, Kunying Li, Norah Lougachi and Katie Rub-Villegas.

YOUTH CAST: Yzabella, Jasiel, Mack, Islay, Esmeralda, Lorena, Caleb, Ava, Shiloh, Gigi, Lucas, Marty, Xoaquin, Vick, Erin and Clara.

We invite PRESS for the July 16 evening dress rehearsal and receive press comps for the July 17 or 18 show. Please contact Claudia at [email protected] or call 773-509-9360.

Excerpt from Bellissima Opera's 2022 production of Future Perfect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MejxNVa56kandt=32s

#meetopera #bellissimaopera #workinginconcert 

Others Details

Artists: Katie Rub-Villegas, Lauren Lassen, Norah Lougachi, Carl Ratner, Christine Steyer, Simon Kyung Lee, Lauren Sutherland, Aaron Wardell, Elizabeth Fisher, Barbara Landis, Jasmine Doll, Maria Molter, Hannah Cummins, Miranda Flanagan, Judy Gaietto-Grace, Hannah Kennedy, Kelci Kosin, Kunying Li

Category: Arts | Performing Arts | Music