Chicago Opera Theater is set to open its 2024-25 Season with the North American premiere of “Leonora.” The Italian opera composed by Ferdinando Paër to a libretto by Giuseppe Maria Foppa and Giacomo Cinti is based on the same story as Beethoven’s later opera “Fidelio.” According to musicologists, Beethoven was influenced by Paër while composing his only opera.

The work will be conducted by Dame Jane Glover and will star tenor Edgardo Rocha in his Chicago debut, soprano Vanessa Becerra in the title role of Leonora, soprano Keely Futterer as Marcellina, baritone Joo Won Kang as Rocco, tenor Matthew Pearce as Don Pizzarro, tenor Kameron Alston as Don Fernando, and bass-baritone Alex Soare as Giachino.