A Production of Chicago Opera

Leonora

Project Overview

Industry

Theatre & Performing Arts

Chicago Opera Theater is excited to present the North American premiere of Ferdinando Paër’s Leonora in October 2024. This opera tells the poignant true story of a woman in 18th-century France who disguised herself as a man to free her wrongfully imprisoned husband. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, four operas were inspired by this tale, with Beethoven’s Fidelio being the most renowned. However, Paër’s Leonora, which debuted a year prior to Beethoven’s work, stands out as a remarkable and beautiful piece that also had a significant influence on Beethoven’s composition.

For the Chicago Opera Theater’s production of Leonora, we proudly contributed to the set design by constructing flat walls that are solid white, complemented by a custom door and intricate trim details. Additionally, we created a stunning custom sculpture of a tree, intricately carved from foam for easy disassembly, supported by a sturdy steel armature. This tree was beautifully scenic painted, adding depth and character to the overall production.