Gorton Center

World-Class Grand Opera Arrives on the North Shore: Concert Opera of Greater Chicago Presents Don Carlo at the Gorton Center
LAKE FOREST, IL — This August, North Shore residents will not have to travel downtown to experience the soaring majesty of grand Italian opera. The Concert Opera of Greater Chicago (COGC) is bringing Giuseppe Verdi’s monumental historical masterpiece, Don Carlo, directly to Lake Forest.
Performed in a fast-paced, high-drama 4-act concert version, the production features a full live orchestra and a powerful ensemble chorus under the baton of acclaimed Maestro Philip Bauman. .
Audiences can catch this rare local staging at the historic Gorton Center for two performances only: Friday, August 7, 2026, at 7:00 PM and Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
Don Carlo is legendary for its intense psychological drama, royal betrayal, and unmatched vocal demands. COGC’s production showcases a phenomenal lineup of premier operatic talent performing right in the neighborhood:
<ul><li>Don Carlo (The conflicted Prince): Alain Arvelo, tenor</li><li>Elisabeth of Valois (The tragic Queen): Vera Bowser, soprano</li><li>Princess Eboli (The scheming noblewoman): Paula Schaefgen, mezzo-soprano</li><li>Rodrigo (The loyal friend): Thomas Hall, baritone</li><li>King Philip II (The formidable monarch):&nbsp;Alvaro Ramírez, bass</li><li>The Grand Inquisitor (The terrifying zealot): Andrew Boisvert, bass</li></ul>
The opera will be sung in its original Italian with clear English supertitles projected above the stage, making the gripping story perfectly accessible to both lifelong opera lovers and first-time attendees.
To create a truly exceptional and welcoming evening out for the local community, all ticket purchases include complimentary intermission savories and refreshments, making it the perfect summer date night or weekend family outing.
Event Details:
<ul><li>What: Giuseppe Verdi’s Don Carlo (Presented by the Concert Opera of Greater Chicago)</li><li>Where: The Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045</li><li>When: Friday, August 7 at 7:00 PM &amp; Sunday, August 9 at 2:00 PM</li><li>Admission: $35 Regular / $25 Seniors &amp; Groups (6+)</li><li>Tickets &amp; Information: Available online at <a href="https://www.chicagoconcertopera.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.chicagoconcertopera.com</a>, via email at <a href="mailto:arc@chicagoconcertopera.com" target="_blank">arc@chicagoconcertopera.com</a>, or by calling the box office at (847) 421-4287.</li></ul>

Local Event: Verdi’s Grand Opera "Don Carlo" Comes to Lake Forest's Gorton Center

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Verdi’s Grand Opera "Don Carlo" Comes to Lake...


World-Class Grand Opera Arrives on the North Shore: Concert Opera of Greater Chicago Presents Don Carlo at the Gorton...

Verdi’s Grand Opera "Don Carlo" Comes to Lake Forest's Gorton Center

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Ragdale, the nationally acclaimed artists’ residency program, located on the former Arts and Crafts country estate of architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, offers tours of the historic Ragdale House. Participants will learn about the Shaw family history and the celebrated artist in residence program. Visitors can experience the seven-acre site which includes three historic homes, several artist studios, gardens and vistas of the 50-acres Shaw Prairie. The Ragdale House and the Barn House, originally built in 1897, are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tour donations help to support the mission of Ragdale.
ADMISSION: $15/person and online reservations must be made in advance

Local Event: Ragdale Public Tour

Ragdale Public Tour

Ragdale, the nationally acclaimed artists’ residency program, located on the former Arts and Crafts country estate of architect...

This special tribute event honors <a href="https://oldheartmovie.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">award winning Old Heart </a>author Peter Ferry who taught English at Lake Forest High School for 28 years. Following the 90 minute film,&nbsp; producer/screenwriter Roger Rapoport , codirector Kirk Wahamaki&nbsp; will join one of the film's costars for an audience discussion. Ferry’s students and faculty colleagues will attend this special event.&nbsp;&nbsp;Among his best known students are novelist Dave Eggers and actor Vince Vaughn.
<a href="https://gortoncenter.org/event/old-heart-film-and-panel-discussion/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Tickets are available at this link.</a>‍ ‍<a href="https://vimeo.com/1170140756" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">See the trailer here</a>
Old Heart focuses on how people cross cultural boundaries to find common ground. In addition to honoring black soldiers who have fought for our country back to the American liberation, the film, is also a tribute to elder independence. Set in Detroit and the Netherlands, Old Heart was filmed in the midwest and the Dutch community of Veldhoven. Twenty-three midwestern actors are featured along with Amsterdam actress Eva Doueiri in her screen debut.&nbsp;
<a href="https://theforestscout.com/60662/in-lfhs/film-adaptation-of-former-teacher-peter-ferry-book-is-set-to-screen-at-gorton-this-summer/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Read the Forest Scout article on Peter Ferry's Lake Forest career here.&nbsp; Ferry died in September 2024 the week filming began.</a>
<a href="https://wgnradio.com/after-hours-with-rick-kogan/peter-ferrys-old-heart-takes-on-the-film-industry/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Hear the Rick Kogan WGN&nbsp;Interview on Old Heart with Producer Roger Rapoport and Ferry's longtime colleague, actor/editor Gary Houston.</a>
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nlf0vahygvr9ci92owjbe/Old-Heart-Indy-Film-Library-Review.pdf?rlkey=dutrhgnwl022s21duypuqad25&amp;st=z6jo543h&amp;e=1&amp;dl=0" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Read the Indy Film Library Review</a>
This 90 minute feature has won 8 best feature awards and two dozen other honors for directing, acting, cinematography, editing, costuming and screenwriting. For more information contact producer Roger Rapoport at (231) 720-0930 (voice only) or email him at <a href="mailto:rogerdrapoport@me.com">rogerdrapoport@me.com</a>
Old Heart is being shown exclusively in theaters.&nbsp; Support the first class Gorton Center to see this film on the big screen.
"Old Heart is fabulous ... powerful performances from Jamelle Sargent as young Tom and Eva Doueiri as young Sarah.&nbsp; A fine job, ... brought tears to my eyes." - Tony Moore, Indy Film Library&nbsp;

Source: <a href="https://www.rogerrapoport.com/calendar/oldheartmovie.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">oldheartmovie.com</a>

Local Event: Old Heart Feature Film Honoring Lake Forest High Teacher Peter Ferry.

Old Heart Feature Film Honoring Lake Forest...


This special tribute event honors award winning Old Heart author Peter Ferry who taught English at Lake Forest High School for...

Old Heart Feature Film Honoring Lake Forest High Teacher Peter Ferry.

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Verdi’s Grand Opera "Don Carlo" Comes to Lake Forest's Gorton Center

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7:00 PM

Gorton Center, 400 E Illinois Rd, Lake Forest, IL

Ragdale Public Tour

Old Heart Feature Film Honoring Lake Forest High Teacher Peter Ferry.

American Music Festivals "At the Movies" - New Frontiers