FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, July 2, 2012
Contact: Suzanne Calvin (214.443.1014/suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org)
Or Megan Meister (214.443.1071/megan.meister@dallasopera.org)
THE DALLAS OPERA HONORED WITH A
$250,000 GRANT FROM THE
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS FOUNDATION
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TI FOUNDATION CITES EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP, ARTISTRY AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AT TDO
DALLAS, JULY 2, 2012 – The Dallas Opera is pleased to announce that the company has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Texas Instruments Foundation, which recently approved grants totaling $1.5 million to a dozen diverse North Texas arts and cultural organizations. According to the foundation, the purpose of these awards is to “enrich the quality of life in TI’s headquarters community.”
In making this unprecedented gift to the company, Texas Instruments Foundation cited TDO’s outstanding leadership and the new direction taken by the company under the guidance of General Director and CEO Keith Cerny. In awarding the grant, the foundation also cited a proven commitment to artistic excellence and the positive impact of a successful, carefully crafted financial plan designed to restore community confidence in the Dallas Opera, as well as putting the company on the path to genuine fiscal responsibility and balance—and keeping it there.
“Texas Instruments has been a stalwart supporter of The Dallas Opera for more than 50 of its illustrious 55 years,” explains Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny.
“For the second consecutive season, the Texas Instruments Foundation is providing an unprecedented level of financial support. As we strive to create new productions, showcase revivals, and secure commissions reflecting the highest artistic and technical standards for this art form, Texas Instruments Foundation must be credited for its starring role as a partner in the success of this company. It’s a role for which all of us at The Dallas Opera are deeply and sincerely grateful.”
In addition to supporting the highest standards of excellence in each of our critically acclaimed mainstage productions, these newly awarded funds will advance the educational and community outreach initiatives of the Dallas Opera throughout the 2012-2013 Season. This includes—but is not limited to—live performances and opera recitals in schools, libraries, museums, and cultural centers destined to reach more than 20,000 young people in the Dallas/Fort Worth area alone.
This season, the Dallas Opera—supported by the generosity of the Texas Instruments Foundation—reached nearly 25,000 students and their families in performances of a new production of Georges Bizet’s Doctor Miracle, special family concerts and other well-received outreach initiatives. Now the company has added a new children’s production of John Davies’ Jack and the Beanstalk (featuring the music of Sir Arthur Sullivan) introduced at campTDO just last month.
Sam Self, Chairman of the Texas Instruments Foundation explained the rationale behind the foundation’s decision: “The Dallas Opera is one of the cornerstones of the Dallas arts community, and we’re proud to be a partner in their continuing success.”
Besides the Dallas Opera, this year’s arts grant recipients include the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Chamberlain Performing Arts, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Children’s Theater, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Summer Musicals, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Nasher Sculpture Center, Richardson Symphony Orchestra, Shakespeare Dallas, and the Turtle Creek Chorale.
“It’s both an exciting and challenging time for the arts in Dallas,” said Ann Pomykal, executive director of the TI Foundation. “We believe that an entire community benefits when its arts thrive. So by helping the arts in North Texas reach and sustain a high level of operational and artistic excellence, we can positively impact our community’s economy and quality of life.”
The TI Foundation has accomplished its mission well, providing direct operational support to a variety of nonprofit arts organizations in the Greater Dallas Area. The 2012-2013 “Pursuits of Passion” Season will mark the second consecutive year that the foundation’s generosity and long-term relationship with the Dallas Opera has resulted in it being named the sole season sponsor.
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About Texas Instruments Foundation:
The Texas Instruments Foundation, founded in 1964, is a non-profit organization providing philanthropic support for educational and charitable purposes primarily in the communities where Texas Instruments operates. While its primary focus is on providing knowledge, skills and programs to improve science, technology, engineering and math education, the Texas Instruments Foundation also invests in health and human services programs that meet the greatest community needs.
About Texas Instruments:
Texas Instruments semiconductor innovations help 90,000 customers unlock the possibilities of the world as it could be – smarter, safer, greener, healthier and more fun. Our commitment to building a better future is ingrained in everything we do – from the responsible manufacturing of our semiconductors, to caring for our employees, to giving back inside our communities. This is just the beginning of our story. Learn more at www.ti.com.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “JULY AT THE DALLAS OPERA”
IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7
VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG AND CHECK THE CALENDAR LISTINGS
For high-resolution, digital photographs suitable for print
To arrange an interview
Or for additional information
Please contact Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR
214.443.1014 or suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS FOUNDATION
SPONSOR OF THE 2012-2013 DALLAS OPERA SEASON
THE DALLAS OPERA WISHES TO EXPRESS ITS GRATITUDE TO OUR EXCLUSIVE PARTNERS:
AMERICAN AIRLINES – OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF THE DALLAS OPERA
LEXUS – OFFICIAL VEHICLE OF THE DALLAS OPERA
CARTIER – OFFICIAL JEWELER & WATCHMAKER OF THE DALLAS OPERA
ROSEWOOD CRESCENT HOTEL – OFFICIAL HOTEL OF THE DALLAS OPERA
Ticket Information for the 2012-2013 Dallas Opera Season
All performances for the “Pursuits of Passion” Season are in the new Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Subscriptions start at just $75 and are on sale now. For more information, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online at www.dallasopera.org.
THE DALLAS OPERA 2012-2013 SEASON INFORMATION
The Dallas Opera celebrates its Fifty-SixthInternational Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in downtown Dallas. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees will begin at 2:00 p.m. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance. Assistance is available for the hearing impaired.
AIDA by Giuseppe Verdi
October 26, 28(m), 31, November 3, 9, 11(m), 2012
Verdi’s Complex and Intimate Love Story Set in Spectacular Ancient Egypt!
An opera in four acts first performed at Khedivial Opera House, Cairo on December 24, 1871.
Text by Antonio Ghislanzoni, based on a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette.
Time: Old Kingdom
Place: Egypt
Conductor: Graeme Jenkins
Stage Director: John Copley
Costume Design: Peter J. Hall
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Latonia Moore (Aida), Antonello Palombi (Radames), Nadia Krasteva* (Amneris), Lester Lynch (Amonasro), Orlin Anastassov* (Ramfis), Ben Wager (The King of Egypt), Jonathan Yarrington* (Messenger), and NaGuanda Nobles* (Priestess).
TURANDOT by Giacomo Puccini
April 5, 7(m), 10, 13, 19 & 21(m), 2013
Puccini’s Last Masterpiece—Riddled with Passionate Romance and Unforgettable Music!
An opera in three acts first performed in Milan at La Scala, April 25, 1926
Text by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni, based on Carlo Gozzi’s fable, Turandot.
Time: Legendary times
Place: Peking, China
Conductor: Marco Zambelli
Stage Director: Garnett Bruce
Production Design: Allen Charles Klein
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Lise Lindstrom* (Princess Turandot), Antonello Palombi (Calaf), Hei-Kyung Hong (Liu), Christian Van Horn* (Timur), Jonathan Beyer (Ping), Joseph Hu (Pang), Daniel Montenegrio* (Pong), Ryan Kuster* (A Mandarin), Steven Haal (Emperor Altoum).
THE ASPERN PAPERS by Dominick Argento
April 12, 14(m), 17, 20, 28(m), 2013
The Games People Play—Both Young and Old—To Achieve Their Twisted Desires!
An opera in two acts first performed in Dallas, November 19, 1988.
Text by Dominick Argento, based on Henry James novel.
Time: Legendary
Place: Venice, Italy
Conductor: Graeme Jenkins
Stage Director: Tim Albery
Scenic Design: Andrew Lieberman*
Costume Design: Constance Hoffman*
Lighting Design: Thomas Hase
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Assistant Director: Michael Mori
Starring: Susan Graham* (Tina), Nathan Gunn (The Lodger), Joseph Kaiser* (Aspern), Dean Peterson (Barelli), Sasha Cooke* (Sonia), Eric Jordan* (A painter), Jennifer Youngs* (Olimpia).
*DallasOpera Debut
** American Debut
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The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs; TACA; the Texas Commission on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera. Cartier is the official jeweler and watchmaker of The Dallas Opera. Rosewood Crescent Hotel is the official hotel of The Dallas Opera. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News. The T. Boone Pickens YMCA, Smartwater and Stephen Pyles Restaurant–supporting partners. A special thanks to Mrs. William W. Winspear and the Elsa von Seggern Foundation for their continuing support.
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