Samuel Ramey, who sang Bluebeard with the Los Angeles Opera and in the PBS production with the Metropolitan Opera, will take up the role in the Chicago production; Krisztina Szab‹ will play his wife Judith. Erwartung includes soprano Nancy Gustafson. Andrei Serban directs; Alexander Platt conducts; sets in both operas are by Leiko Fuseva.

The 2007 season concludes with B_atrice et B_n_dict, with tenor Joseph Kaiser and mezzo Sandra Piques Eddy in the title roles. Jan Latham-Koenig conducts; Nicola Raab directs.

Chicago Opera Theater was founded in 1974 and specializes in the works of the 17th, 18th, and 20th centuries. COT opened the 2004 season in its new home, Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park. Brian Dickie has been general director since 1999.