Explorer, nomad, journalist, novelist, passionate romantic, Sufi, and woman.

With a libretto by Royce Vavrek, Missy Mazzoli’s enthralling multimedia opera conjures the rebel hero/heroine Isabelle Eberhardt, the extraordinary writer who left her home in Europe to explore Northern Africa.

Mazzoli’s electric score layers acoustic and electronic sound with live and pre-recorded voices to create a spellbinding beautiful indie-rock opera. Mazzoli/Vavrek’s recent world premiere BREAKING THE WAVES is being hailed as “among the best twenty-first-century American operas yet” (Opera News).

Chicago Fringe Opera’s production is led by Catherine O’Shaughnessy (conductor), Amy Hutchison (stage director) and Kia Smith (choreographer). Mezzo-soprano Emma Sorenson stars as Isabelle Eberhardt, in her exciting Chicago debut.

By Missi Mazzoli
Libretto by Royce Vavrek

Cast

Artistic Team

Conductor
Director
Assistant Director & Stage Manager
Choreographer
Kia Smith
Projections & Paintings
Franny Mendes Levitin
Costumes
Janice Pytel
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Dancer
Reesie Davis
Dancer
Dedrick Gray
Piano
Tonia Miki
Electric Guitar
Danny Cohen
Flute
Jennifer Shanahan
Clarinet
Manuel Ramos
Double Bass
Jackson Kidder

Acclaim

"An uncommon woman's brief life plays out poetically in Fringe Opera's 'Uproar'"

Chicago Tribune

"Songs" is helmed by a powerhouse production team of female artists. Director Amy Hutchison promises storytelling that is "visceral, captivating and mesmerizing."

New City Stage

"Mazzoli’s “Uproar” makes noise with impressive music, charismatic singer at Chicago Fringe Opera"

Chicago Classical Review

"Fringe’s ‘Song From the Uproar’ is nobody’s grandmother’s opera"

Chicagoland Musical Theater

Media

Supported by The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, & the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Chicago Fringe Opera is an Opera America Partner.