Arts & Entertainment

Another Go for Verismo

Oak Park opera group's relaunch party to set the tone for the 2012 season.

Starting Saturday, Verismo Opera Theater begins staging a comeback.

The start-up opera troupe disbanded suddenly in summer 2011 after struggling to raise funds for the production of Madama Butterfly.

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“What happened was that the management team realized it couldn’t raise the money for their very expensive show, and things somewhat fell apart,” said Marisa Buchheit, a singer who handles communications for the group. “The managers went their separate ways and things kind of fell down.

[Artistic director] Brad [Schuller] decided to just reassemble and invite new management to be on board. It took some time for that to happen.”

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The revamped crew is kicking things off with a Second Season launch party on Saturday at the . Buchheit said the group is finalizing plans for the 2012 season, which will include a series of Russian operas in July, an Italian opera performance and their November production of Verdi's La Traviata.

Along with Saturday's party, Schuller and others will announce new offerings, including artists training sessions geared toward “emerging professionals” and “master classes” taught by theater veterans.

One of those sessions, Yoga for Singers, begins at 1:45 p.m. Saturday at . The hour-long class will be followed by a "master class" with Harry Silverstein from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Verismo intends to raise money through ticket sales to individual shows and through subscriptions allowing for access to a season’s worth of performances.

Verismo Opera Theater's Second Season Launch Party takes place from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at Visit Oak Park Visitors Center, 1010 Lake Street in Oak Park.


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