Infamous opera coming to North Central

Sunday How much: $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and $5 for full-time students So it's no surprise that the opera had not been performed in Chicago or the western suburbs in more than 20 years - until now. Da Corneto Opera will attempt "La Forza del Destino" at 4 p.m.

Sunday at Pfeiffer Hall, North Central College at 310 E. Benton Ave. Naperville.

More than 1,000 tickets will be made available for the opera.
"La Forza del Destino," which means The Force of Destiny, is a story set in Italy and Spain in the middle of the 18th century. Don Alvaro tries to abduct Donna Leonora, daughter of the marquis of Calatrava, but he is discovered by the head of the house, who does not want him as son-in-law because he is of his low social class.

The young man takes all the blame for the failed abduction, insisting the girl had nothing to do with it. He throws the pistol he was brandishing to the ground, but a shot goes off accidentally, killing the marquis, who, with his dying breath, curses his daughter.
The Chicago-based concert company, consisting of a 50-piece orchestra and 40-member chorus, will be conducted by Robert Ashens.

The opera is expected to last three hours and forty minutes, including two intermissions - without curses.
"I can tell you that we've had some complications but haven't had any natural disasters," said Kelli Finn, who is a general manager for the concert company and will sing in the chorus Sunday. Her husband, Alvaro Ramirez is also the artistic director for the opera.

"They were typical problems that operas deal with. We had a soprano lined up and then backed out at the last minute. Things like that.

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Finn said the opera chose the Verdi classic because it is rarely performed by many other concert companies.
"Sometimes we chose operas that are better known, we just thought that with such a huge production, this would be a nice opportunity to bring a lesser-known opera to our listeners," Finn said. "We are giving people a chance who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to hear this kind of opera.

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Further tempting fate, the Chicago company will open on Friday the 13th at the Church of St. Hilary on Chicago's North Side. While twisted and entertaining, Finn said the concert company will try to educate audiences on the history of Verdi's opera - a role that many operas maintain nowadays.

"I think we're serving music lovers, not just opera lovers," Finn said. "If you love and have an appreciation for music, then you should love the opera. Our focus is on the voice.

Opera is voice, voice and more voice."
Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and $5 for full-time students. Tickets can also be purchased at dacorneto.

org and through the administrative offices at 847-662-2694 or through TicketWeb by phone at 866-468-3401. Tickets will also be available at the door.