What’s cool about this show?

• Can you believe that between 1918 and 1924, Szymanowski spent nearly six years finishing this opera, King Roger?

• Karol Szymanowski and Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz are cousins who worked together to write the libretto for this opera.

• Conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya was named Chicagoan of the Year in 2020, and more recently chosen to be included in the Newcity Stage Players 50 2022: The Music Makers

• Director Dylan Evans began his career as an assistant stage director for COT back in 2013 for Macbeth, and will now be directing the 22/23 season opening show, King Roger.

• The Apollo Chorus of Chicago will return to COT for the first time since Everest/Aleko (2019/2020) to form the epic choir for King Roger, and they'll be joined with a COT debut by Chicago’s Polish musical leader, The Lira Chamber Chorus of the Lira Ensemble.