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

• Don Carlo (The conflicted Prince): Alain Arvelo, tenor
• Elisabeth of Valois (The tragic Queen): Vera Bowser, soprano
• Princess Eboli (The scheming noblewoman): Paula Schaefgen, mezzo-soprano
• Rodrigo (The loyal friend): Thomas Hall, baritone
• King Philip II (The formidable monarch): Alvaro Ramírez, bass
• The Grand Inquisitor (The terrifying zealot): Andrew Boisvert, bass

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:

• What: Giuseppe Verdi’s Don Carlo (Presented by the Concert Opera of Greater Chicago)
• Where: The Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
• When: Friday, August 7 at 7:00 PM & Sunday, August 9 at 2:00 PM
• Admission: $35 Regular / $25 Seniors & Groups (6+)
• Tickets & Information: Available online at www.chicagoconcertopera.com, via email at arc@chicagoconcertopera.com, or by calling the box office at (847) 421-4287.