The results from Chicago are in: From Apr. 15 – June 15, presumed opera-lovers have paid $1 per vote to choose which of three operas they’d like to see performed during the Chicago Opera Theater’s 2011 season. The winner is Shostakovich’s Moscow, Cheryomushki. The COT raised $33,000 in the effort.
This was the second annual “People’s Opera” contest, which I wrote about here in March. Last year, the COT raised $40,000 (both totals include a $16,000 matching grant).
COT may be disappointed with the decline in money raised, but every dollar counts in this climate. And I think the voting stirs interest.
Apparently Moscow, Cheryomushki took the lead early and kept it. Strauss’ Capriccio came in second place and Mozart’s The Magic Flute finished third. Here’s the plot summary for the winner:
This comical romp takes place in a desirable new housing tenement in Moscow called Cheryomushki (Cherry Town). But not everything is as sweet at the name implies…the tenants must band together to outwit the stubborn and corrupt building management. Below the surface of this romantic comedy Shostakovich has created a satirical political opera. Chicago Opera Theater has never before performed a work by this composer and it has been 25 years since a Shostakovich opera has been performed in Chicago.
You can read more about the contest here.