Ricky Ian Gordon's opera A Coffin in Egypt, written for legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, is coming to the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 25 - May 3. Von Stade will reprise her tour-de-force portrayal of Myrtle Bledsoe, grande dame of Egypt, Texas, in this Chicago Opera Theater production.
"It is an incredible honor and rare opportunity to have the regal Frederica von Stade fill the powerful lead role in A Coffin in Egypt written precisely for her," Andreas Mitisek, Chicago Opera Theater's General Director, said in a statement.
"Working closely with the renowned composer Ricky Ian Gordon and librettist and director Leonard Foglia, COT will present an intriguing and powerful production with a touching score that tells an unforgettable story of one woman's last moments of reflection and forgiveness," Mitisek said.
I recently had the opportunity to talk with Frederica von Stade about this powerful role and opera, over a cup of coffee in the diva's Chicago apartment.
"I think Ricky's music is really, really beautiful; it has that sometimes jazzy feel to it that is very easy on the ears," von Stade told me. "One of the big strengths for me, one of the most beautiful elements--are the choruses, sung by an African-American choir. They're almost like a Greek chorus; they say what's going on... they comment on the emotion of the time."
Myrtle can hear this gospel quartet singing in a nearby church throughout A Coffin in Egypt. Vocalists in the quartet include Leah Dexter, Bernard Holcomb, Kimberly E. Jones and Nicholas Davis. Von Stade and the quartet have the only singing roles in the opera; actor David Matranga plays the non-singing role of Hunter Bledsoe, and actress Carolyn Johnson portrays Elsie Bledsoe.
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