The Italian Opera Company of Chicago is an ensemble comprised of professional singers, a pianist and a narrator. Founded in 2001 by Artistic Director John Rizzo, the group presents live opera concerts for numerous venues. As the name implies, the ensemble mainly performs works from the Italian repertoire, but also presents French and sometimes German numbers. A typical concert will not only include the best loved and most familiar arias and ensembles but will also feature solos, ensembles and even choruses, that are not heard outside of a full-length opera, but are nonetheless examples of the greatest music ever written.

The philosophy that guides this approach springs from the concept that it is the music of opera that is most important and that doing justice to this music is very entertaining, even for those people who just can't abide sitting through three or four hours of a full-length opera. As important as the music is, the Italian Opera Company does not neglect the drama. The company members interact with each other as if they were actually staging the opera, thus giving the audience another level of enjoyment.

Because the music of opera sounds best in the language for which it was composed, the Italian Opera Company always sings in an opera's original language. Perhaps the most commonly expressed objection to opera is, "I can't understand the language!" Here the Italian Opera Company provides a very simple solution to this problem - a narrator. Far from being a dry academic, Narrator/Artistic Director John Rizzo introduces each number in a way that explains what is happening in the piece, and often recounts humorous anecdotes and observations about the selection that both enlighten and amuse. Finally, the Company almost always performs in facilities that are much smaller than a regular opera house so that every audience member will know what the box-holders at La Scala and the Met experience - opera, up close and personal!

The Company presents two kinds of concerts:

• One is a medley of popular numbers and great scenes from a variety of operas.
• The other is a single opera with its highlights and specially arranged pieces.

An Italian Opera Company concert lasts about 1 1/2 hours - not too long, but long enough so that any audience will get their money's worth. Naturally, depending on the venue or function, concerts can be arranged to fit the host's specific needs.

The Singers
The singers of the Italian Opera Company are chosen for their vocal technique, extent of repertoire, stage presence, musical interpretation and acting ability. The Company employs many different singers, as they are often engaged by opera houses
throughout the world, but they all meet the same strict requirements of artistry and professionalism.

	Jessye Wright   Mezzo-Soprano This extremely talented musician has sung with the Italian Opera since 2002. A frequent performer with both American and European professional opera companies, she is an outstanding Carmen and Amneris. For more info: www.jessyewright.com		Dominique Frigo Mezzo-Soprano Dominique Frigo began singing with the Italian Opera in 2006. She has appeared in leading mezzo roles, including Azucena, in many professional opera companies. For more info: www.aeolianartists.com/roster/frigo.html

• The current section regarding the Italian Opera company and
• "Masters of Italian Opera," devoted to the lives and works of the greatest opera composers. Each composer is represented by an illustrated biographical page with links to numerous articles on their various operas. All are authored by the Company's Artistic Director, John Rizzo.