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    Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition Semi-Finalists Announced

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
    Tuesday, February 7, 2017
    Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart 214.443.1071
    suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

    The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild
    Are Proud to Jointly Announce the Outstanding

    Semi-Finalists of the 29th Annual
    “Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition”
    ~~~~
    Admission $5! Lexus Red Parking $5!
    Audience Members Vote on “People’s Choice”
    Visit www.dallasopera.org/vocal
    ~~~~
    Finals: Sunday, April 30, 2017, 7:30 p.m.
    The Centerpiece of TDO’s Annual
    Springs Gala: An Evening of Rising Stars
    Conducted by Music Director Emmanuel Villaume
    ~~~~
    The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House
    At the AT&T Performing Arts Center
    2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
    ~~~~
    Honoring Dr. Susan Fleming

    DALLAS, FEBRUARY 7, 2017 –Twenty of the finest young opera singers in the United States will be competing in the 29th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition presented, jointly, by The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild.
    These talented artists will compete onstage in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas on April 29 & 30, 2017. At stake are thousands of dollars in cash awards and coveted honors including the “People’s Choice Award” selected during the Finals Round by audience ballot. The competition will serve as the centerpiece of The Dallas Opera’s glamorous Springs Gala, an annual fundraising celebration of opera’s fast-rising stars.
    Patrons have the option of attending
    • The free Semi-Finals Round on April 29th
    • The complete Springs Gala evening on April 30th
    • The Finals Round and Awards Ceremony only on April 30th
    • Or, the Finals Round, Awards Ceremony and the post-performance party!

    Tickets range from absolutely free (for the April 29th Semi-Finals) to $5 for the Finals Round and Awards Ceremony (available online at dallasopera.org/vocal).
    A $750 “host ticket” will cover the entire gala evening, including a seated, gourmet, pre-competition dinner at 5:30 p.m., early seating for the vocal competition Finals Round at 7:30 p.m., and an invitation to the festive post-competition celebration at the Winspear Opera House.
    For more information about the 2017 Springs Gala, visit dallasopera.org/gala or contact Special Events Manager Tracy Mott at tracy.mott@dallasopera.org.

    With a renewed focus on encouraging the next generation of opera artists and audiences, proceeds from this stellar evening will go to support the multifaceted education programs of The Dallas Opera.
    Two great Dallas Opera traditions create one truly remarkable evening of music, competition and celebration! It is certain to be an affair—and a weekend—you won’t want to miss!

    Commented Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny: “The Guild Competition took a bold step forward in recent years and the results have been electrifying! Emmanuel Villaume and The Dallas Opera Orchestra have brought a significant level of excitement to these performances and clearly inspired last year’s finalists to rise to the occasion.
    “However, each competition brings an entirely new set of challenges and gives us additional opportunities to build upon our previous success.
    “Working closely with Dr. Brian Zeger, our esteemed adjudicators, and the Guild itself, we continually seek new ways to attract the very finest young singers of this generation. Their presence on the Winspear stage also promises to make our second annual Springs Gala: An Evening of Rising Stars, one of the most sought-after tickets in town.
    “I am also extremely pleased that, with the energetic leadership of Brian Zeger,” Cerny adds, “we have been able to assemble such a distinguished panel of industry leaders and decision makers to judge this stellar event, making it a unique showcase for artists ready to take their careers to a higher level.”

    ~~~~
    This year, the twenty semi-finalists were selected from a group of 364 applicants from 35 states—and one competitor currently residing in Germany (residents of the U.S. territories are eligible to apply for the prestigious competition, as well) by a panel of preliminary judges that included American pianist and educator Dr. Brian Zeger of the Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts at The Juilliard School, and David Lomeli, Casting and Hart Institute for Women Conductors Manager.
    The quest for these gifted young singers will begin with the Semi-Finals Round of the Vocal Competition at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017.
    Six finalists will be selected to return the following evening, Sunday, April 30th at 7:30 p.m., to perform with The Dallas Opera Orchestra, conducted by internationally acclaimed Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume.

    “I am very proud to collaborate with our Guild on the expanded national competition,” adds Keith Cerny, the Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO. “This is an outstanding opportunity for the entire community to experience opera’s ‘next wave’ and to show their enthusiasm and support for the hopes and dreams of these deserving young artists.”

    THE 2017 SEMI-FINALISTS
    FOR THE DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION

    • Jared Bybee, baritone, age 30, Resident Artist at Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia
    • Helena Brown, soprano, age 28, Resident Artist at Glimmerglass Festival
    • Raehann Bryce-Davis, mezzo-soprano, age 30, Merola Opera Program Graduate
    • Jacquelyn Stucker, soprano, age 27, Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program Graduate
    • Mane Galoyan, soprano, age 23, Currently at Houston Grand Opera Studio
    • Leah Hawkins, soprano, age 26, Resident Artist at the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera
    • Takaoki Onishi, baritone, age 29, Member of the Ryan Center at Lyric Opera Chicago
    • Theo Hoffman, baritone, age 23, Member of Domingo Colburn Stein Young Artists Los Angeles Opera
    • Alasdair Kent, tenor, age 29, Resident Artist at Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia
    • Alexandra Loutsion, soprano, age 33, Pittsburgh Opera Studio Graduate
    • Alyssa Martin, mezzo-soprano, age 27, Member of the Arizona Opera Studio
    • Meredith Mecum, soprano, age 31, Merola Opera Program Graduate
    • Miles Mykkanen, tenor, age 25, Artist Diploma in Opera Studies at the Juilliard School of Music
    • Daniel Noyola, bass-baritone, age 24, Resident Artist at Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia
    • Mario Rojas, tenor, age 23, Member of the Ryan Center at Lyric Opera Chicago
    • Brent Turner, tenor, age 33, 2016 McCammon Competition Winner
    • Laura Wilde, soprano, age 30, Member of the Ryan Center at Lyric Opera Chicago
    • Kihun Yoon, baritone, age 35, Member of Domingo Colburn Stein Young Artists Los Angeles Opera
    • Samantha Hankey, mezzo-soprano, age 24, Artist Diploma in Opera Studies at the Juilliard School of Music
    • Xiaomeng Zhang, baritone, age 23, Masters in Music at Manhattan School of Music Graduate

    Competitors in the 2016 Competition took home prize monies totaling $18,500. Although this competition has as its primary focus artists in the 18 to 34 age range, singers of any age were eligible to apply and considered on a case-by-case basis.
    The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition originally focused on young artists with Texas roots or Lone Star academic connections, and its many distinguished alumni include luminaries from throughout the opera world: Latonia Moore, Clifton Forbis, Marjorie Owens, Weston Hurt, Steven LaBrie, Amanda Woodbury, Jesus Garcia, J’nai Bridges, Anthony Clark Evans, and most recently, Kang Wang and Virginie Verrez.
    As the competition sought to gain even greater prominence and significance, The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild made significant changes in 2015, prompting Dallas Morning News Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell to write that the competition had “considerably upped its ante.” The evolution didn’t stop there:

    • In order to attract the most talented applicant pool with the greatest potential, the eligibility criteria for applicants changed. Today, it is open to residents of all 50 states and U.S. Territories, including international students attending American colleges, universities, and music conservatories. Also eligible are active members of any young artist program associated with an American opera company.

    • The Finals Round, taking place on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 7:30 pm in the Winspear Opera House as part of The Dallas Opera’s annual Springs Gala, will be accompanied by The Dallas Opera Orchestra, conducted by TDO’s internationally acclaimed Music Director, Emmanuel Villaume. Up to six finalists will participate, singing two arias each.

    The impact of these changes was immediately perceived. Senior Classical Music Critic Gregory Sullivan Isaacs of theaterjones.com wrote: “The results surely exceeded expectations for this newly re-envisioned competition…It won’t take long to situate itself at the top of such events and become an important gold star on any young artist’s résumé.”
    Dallas Opera Guild Co-President Jana Irwin explained that “The Dallas Opera Guild views this annual competition as the capstone of our philanthropic and supportive endeavors. The need to support the future of opera is so profound, particularly as it relates to young and somewhat unknown singers. As singers are selected, their professional stature automatically increases due to press and media exposure. However, the competition itself provides additional benefits for these singers, as well as the local opera community. It is truly a win-win situation for all concerned.”
    Dallas Opera Guild 2017 Vocal Competition Chairs Bob and Patsy Brooks write: “The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition gives singers pursuing a professional opera career the opportunity to showcase their talents and compete with other singers for financial rewards. Best of all is the chance to perform before a panel of distinguished judges celebrated throughout the opera world.”

    Lexus Red Parking is available for just $5 at both the Semi-Finals Round, from 11:00 AM until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 29th as well as the Finals Round of the competition the following evening, Sunday, April 30th at 7:30 p.m. in the Winspear Opera House.

    The list of judges for the 2017 Vocal Competition reads like an opera management “Who’s Who”:

    Judges for the 2017 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition:

    Brian Zeger, Chair
    Artistic Director of the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts
    The Juilliard School

    Keith Cerny
    The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO of The Dallas Opera

    Emmanuel Villaume
    The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director, The Dallas Opera

    Andreas Melinat
    Director of Artistic Planning, Lyric Opera of Chicago

    Pal Moe
    Casting Director, Bavarian State Opera;
    Casting Consultant, Glyndebourne Festival and Opéra de Lille

    Joshua Winograde
    Senior Director, Artistic Planning, Los Angeles Opera

    Diane Zola
    Director of Artistic Administration, Houston Grand Opera

    However, the judging isn’t left entirely to the professionals; “amateur” music lovers will have the opportunity to express their views, too. Audience participation is part of the fun at each year’s Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition. For the eighteenth consecutive year, attendees will be given the chance to vote on their personal favorites to receive the “People’s Choice Award.”
    ~~~~

    Honoring Dr. Susan Fleming
    This year’s vocal competition honors former Dallas Opera Guild President and current Board Member, Dr. Susan Fleming, renowned for her philanthropy and leadership as well as her continuing work with children with communication disorders.
    As a bachelor’s and master’s student in speech pathology and audiology at SMU, she thrived in the classroom. Her career path included working at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, directing the preschool at the Greenhill School and maintaining her own private practice. Over the years, Dr. Fleming honed her skills by providing evaluations of children, designing curriculum and working in admissions.
    She joined the Shelton Evaluation Center (a division of the Shelton School) in 1993; serving as director until 2009 when she became director emeritus of the center.
    Dr. Fleming dedicates her time away from work to numerous professional and volunteer organizations. She is co-chair of the Dream Team of the Rotary Club of Dallas, a program that provides mentors, encouragement and scholarships to local high school students who might otherwise be unable to attend college. Dr. Fleming recently became a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) in Dallas, appointed by judges to work for a year with specific children removed from their home environments by CPS. This UT Dallas Distinguished Alumni Award winner has held numerous positions with the Dallas Opera Guild Board.
    “I am touched by my selection,” writes Susan Fleming, “as this places me in the company of the dynamic guild leaders I have admired; those who have contributed so much to The Dallas Opera Guild’s effectiveness in promoting and sustaining the annual Vocal Competition.
    “Each person who contributes to this competition,” she adds, “should feel proud to be helping promote young singers as they strive for success in this especially beautiful art form.”
    ~~~~
    SPECIAL THANKS
    TO THE AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND STAFF
    FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE
    2017 DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION

    EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
    VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG

    2016-2017 SEASON SPONSOR
    The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family

    ~~~~
    FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS
    Contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and PR at suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
    Or Celeste Hart, Communications Manager at celeste.hart@dallasopera.org
    ~~~~
    The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by
    Texas Instruments and the Betty and Steve Suellentrop
    Educational Outreach Fund.

    TDO Family Performances are a part of the
    Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs

    TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE 2016-2017 DALLAS OPERA SEASON

    All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise indicated. Single Tickets range from $19 to $275. Full Subscriptions (five opera productions) begin at $95; Flex Subscriptions (three-performances of your choice) begin at $75. Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.

    THE DALLAS OPERA 2016-2017 SPRING SEASON INFORMATION

    The Dallas Opera celebrates its Sixtieth International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired. The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances excluding FIRST NIGHT of the season.

    MADAME BUTTERFLY by Giacomo Puccini
    March 10, 12(m), 15, 18, 24, & 26(m), 2017
    The must see, heart-wrenching Italian opera!
    Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa & Luigi Illica
    Time: 1904
    Place: Nagasaki, Japan
    Conductor: Donato Renzetti
    Stage Director: John Copley
    Set Designer: Michael Yeargan
    Costume Designer: Anita Yavich
    Lighting Designer: Duane Schuler
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Stephanie Williams
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Starring: Hui He* (Cio-Cio-San), Gianluca Terranova* (B.F. Pinkerton), Manuela Custer (Suzuki), Lucas Meachem* (Sharpless), David Cangelosi (Goro), Reginald Smith, Jr.* (The Bonze), Will Hughes (Prince Yamadori), Mark McCrory (Imperial Commissioner), Samuel P.J. Lopez (Registrar), Angela Turner Wilson (Kate Pinkerton), Sorrow (TBD)
    A classic, period production (new to Dallas) from the San Francisco Opera!

    THE TURN OF THE SCREW by Benjamin Britten
    March 17, 19(m), 22 & 25, 2017
    A dark and gripping tale!
    Libretto by Myfanwy Piper
    Time: 1950s
    Place: Bly, an English country house
    Conductor: Nicole Paiement
    Original Production: Jonathan Kent
    Stage Director: Francesca Gilpin*
    Set Designer: Paul Brown
    Costume Designer: Paul Brown
    Original Lighting Designer: Mark Henderson
    Lighting Design Recreated by: David Manion
    Wig and Make-up Designer: Stephanie Williams
    Starring: William Burden (Prologue/Peter Quint), Emma Bell* (Governess), Oliver Nathanielsz* (Miles), Ashley Emerson* (Flora), Dolora Zajick* (Mrs. Grose), Alexandra LoBianco* (Miss Jessel)
    An acclaimed production from Glyndebourne!

    NORMA by Vincenzo Bellini
    April 21, 23(m), 26, 29, May 7(m), 2017
    A thrilling and suspenseful masterpiece!
    Libretto by Felice Romani
    Time: 50 B.C.
    Place: Roman-occupied Gaul
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Stage Director: Nic Muni
    Set Designer: John Conklin
    Costume Designer: John Conklin
    Lighting Designer: Thomas Hase
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Stephanie Williams
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Starring: Elza van den Heever (Norma), Marina Costa Jackson* (Adalgisa), Yonghoon Lee* (Pollione), Christian Van Horn (Oroveso), Mithra Mastropierro* (Clotilde), Charles Karanja (Flavio)
    An atmospheric production from Cincinnati Opera!

    * Dallas Opera Debut
    ** American Debut
    ______________________________________________________________________________________
    The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Texas Instruments Foundation, TACA, City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs; 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. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News. A special thanks to the Elsa von Seggern Foundation for its continuing support.

    ###

    THE 2016 DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION—THIS WEEKEND!

    Finals Round Scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

    Opening Remarks at 7:20 p.m.

    Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House

    The AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, Texas

    General Admission Seating $5 / Lexus Red Parking $5

    DALLAS, TX, APRIL 26, 2016 – The Dallas Opera wishes to remind music lovers that the expanded and revised 2016 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition will take place on Friday, April 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. (Semi-Final Round) and Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. (Finals Round).

    Competitors in the critically acclaimed 2015 Competition took home prize monies totaling $18,500.  As the competition sought to gain even greater prominence and significance, The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild made two significant changes last year, prompting Dallas Morning News Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell to write that the competition had “considerably upped its ante”:

    • In order to attract the most talented applicant pool with the greatest potential, the eligibility criteria for applicants changed. Today, it is open to residents of all 50 states and U.S. Territories (including residents with a valid Green Card or H-1, H-2, H-3, I-20, K-1, O-1, P-2 and P-3 visas). 
    • The Finals Round, taking place on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Winspear Opera House, will be accompanied by The Dallas Opera Orchestra, conducted by TDO’s acclaimed Music Director, Emmanuel Villaume. Up to six finalists will participate.

    The impact of these changes was immediately perceived.  Senior Classical Music Critic Gregory Sullivan Isaacs of theaterjones.com wrote: “The results surely exceeded expectations for this newly re-envisioned competition…It won’t take long to situate itself at the top of such events and become an important gold star on any young artist’s résumé.” 

    Judges for the expanded 28th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition have been drawn from distinguished performers and opera administrators and will also include General Director & CEO Keith Cerny, Music Director Emmanuel Villaume and TDO Artistic Administrator Ian Derrer.

    Commented General Director & CEO Keith Cerny: “The Guild Competition took a bold step forward last year and the result was electrifying!  Emmanuel Villaume and The Dallas Opera Orchestra brought a tangible level of excitement to these performances and clearly inspired the finalists to do their absolute best. 

    “I’m quite certain that this year’s competition will bring a whole new set of challenges and give us new opportunities to build on our previous success.  Working closely with Dr. Brian Zeger, our esteemed adjudicators, and the Guild, we are well on our way to creating an event that attracts the very finest young singers of this generation.”

    Judges for the 2016 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition:

    Brian Zeger, Chair, Artistic Director of Juilliard’s Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts and Executive Director for the  Lindemann Young Artist Development Program of the Metropolitan Opera

    Keith Cerny, General Director and CEO, The Dallas Opera

    Emmanuel Villaume, Music Director, The Dallas Opera

    Ian Derrer, Artistic Administrator, The Dallas Opera

    Aidan Lang, General Director, Seattle Opera

    Leonore Rosenberg, Associate Artistic Administrator, The Metropolitan Opera

    Joshua Winograde, Senior Director of Artistic Planning, Los Angeles Opera

    Diane Zola, Director of Artistic Administration, Houston Grand Opera

    Dallas Opera Guild Co-President Jana Irwin explained that “the life of The Dallas Opera Guild revolves around this annual competition, because all of us feel so strongly about the need to support the future of opera.  Greater prominence within the music industry can only translate into greater benefits for those lucky enough to be selected to participate, making this a win-win situation for all concerned.”

    Admission for the Semi-Final Round is free, general admission tickets for the Finals Round are $5 – Lexus Red Parking for either round of the competition is just $5, as well.

    Purchase now at dallasopera.org.

    ~~~~

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7.  VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG

     

    FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS

    Contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and PR at suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org

    Or Celeste Hart, Communications Manager at celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

    TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSOR FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “SEEKING THE HUMAN ELEMENT” SEASON

    The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by

    Texas Instruments and the Betty and Steve Suellentrop Educational Outreach Fund.

     

    TDO Family Performances are a part of the

    Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs

    APPLLICATION DEADLINE NOVEMBER 21 FOR THE 2016 DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION

    Still Bigger Than the Lone Star State!

    Finals Round Scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

    Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House

    The AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, Texas

    DALLAS, TX, NOVEMBER 20, 2015 – The Dallas Opera wishes to remind potential candidates that applications for the expanded and revised Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, scheduled to take place on Friday, April 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. (Semi-Final Round) and Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. (Finals Round) will be accepted through tomorrow – Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

    Applications MUST be submitted via YAP Tracker, along with a $35 entry fee: https://www.yaptracker.com/applications/dallas-opera-guild-2016.

    Those chosen by preliminary round judges to advance to the Semifinals Round in the acoustically acclaimed Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center will be notified on February 2, 2016. 

    Competitors in the critically acclaimed 2015 Competition took home prize monies totaling $18,500.  Although this competition has as its primary focus, artists in the 18 to 34 age range, singers of any age may apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

    As the competition sought to gain even greater prominence and significance, The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild made two significant changes last year, prompting Dallas Morning News Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell to write that the competition had “considerably upped its ante”:

    • In order to attract the most talented applicant pool with the greatest potential, the eligibility criteria for applicants changed. Today, it is open to residents of all 50 states and U.S. Territories (including residents with a valid Green Card or H-1, H-2, H-3, I-20, K-1, O-1, P-2 and P-3 visas). 
    • The Finals Round, taking place on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 6:30 pm in the Winspear Opera House, will be accompanied by The Dallas Opera Orchestra, conducted by TDO’s acclaimed Music Director, Emmanuel Villaume. Up to six finalists will participate, singing two arias each.

    The impact of these changes was immediately perceived.  Senior Classical Music Critic Gregory Sullivan Isaacs of theaterjones.com wrote: “The results surely exceeded expectations for this newly re-envisioned competition…It won’t take long to situate itself at the top of such events and become an important gold star on any young artist’s résumé.” 

    Judges for the expanded 28th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition have been drawn from distinguished performers and opera administrators and will also include General Director & CEO Keith Cerny, Music Director Emmanuel Villaume and TDO Artistic Administrator Ian Derrer.

    The Dallas Opera is very pleased to announce the return of renowned arts administrator, educator and adjudicator Dr. Brian Zeger as Chair of the Judges Panel for the 2016 Vocal Competition. 

    Commented General Director & CEO Keith Cerny: “The Guild Competition took a bold step forward last year and the result was electrifying!  Emmanuel Villaume and The Dallas Opera Orchestra brought a tangible level of excitement to these performances and clearly inspired the finalists to do their absolute best. 

    “I’m quite certain that this year’s competition will bring a whole new set of challenges and give us new opportunities to build on our previous success.  Working closely with Dr. Brian Zeger, our esteemed adjudicators, and the Guild, we are well on our way to creating an event that attracts the very finest young singers of this generation.”

    Judges for the 2016 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition:

    Brian Zeger, Chair

    Artistic Director of Juilliard’s Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts and Executive Director for the  Lindemann Young Artist Development Program of the Metropolitan Opera

    Keith Cerny

    General Director and CEO, The Dallas Opera

    Emmanuel Villaume

    Music Director, The Dallas Opera

    Ian Derrer

    Artistic Administrator, The Dallas Opera

    Aidan Lang

    General Director, Seattle Opera 

    Leonore Rosenberg

    Associate Artistic Administrator, The Metropolitan Opera

    Joshua Winograde

    Senior Director of Artistic Planning, Los Angeles Opera

    Diane Zola

    Director of Artistic Administration, Houston Grand Opera

    Dallas Opera Guild Co-President Jana Irwin explained that “the life of The Dallas Opera Guild revolves around this annual competition, because all of us feel so strongly about the need to support the future of opera.  Greater prominence within the music industry can only translate into greater benefits for those lucky enough to be selected to participate, making this a win-win situation for all concerned.”

    Dallas Opera Guild 2016 Vocal Competition Chair Ketty Fitzgerald explains that “the ultimate goal – now and always – is to serve the artists and this art form by creating a showcase for their talents that will help to advance their careers.  We are equally dedicated to providing financial assistance (with no strings attached) allowing the singer to determine exactly how that money should be spent.  In short, we give them room to breathe.”

    ~~~~

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA

    IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7.  VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG

    FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS

    Contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and PR at suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org

    Or Celeste Hart, Communications Manager at celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

    ~~~~

    TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSOR FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “SEEKING THE HUMAN ELEMENT” SEASON

    The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by

    Texas Instruments and the Betty and Steve Suellentrop Educational Outreach Fund.

    TDO Family Performances are a part of the

    Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs

    Ticket Information for the 2015-2016 Dallas Opera Season

    All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise indicated.  Single Tickets range from $19 to $275.  Full Subscriptions start at $99, Flex Subscriptions (three-performances of your choice) begin at $75.  Family performance tickets are just $5.  For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.

    Last Call for Applicants – Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
    Wednesday, November 12, 2014
    Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart 214.443.1071
    suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

    Deadline for Entries This Saturday!
    THE 2015 DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION
    Now, Bigger than Texas!
    ~~~~
    Thousands in cash prizes; plus, a chance to
    perform with the Dallas Opera Orchestra
    ~~~~
    BLUE-RIBBON JUDGES PANEL NAMED
    – CHAIRED BY DR. BRIAN ZEGER
    ~~~~
    The clock is ticking! – Enter today at YAPTracker.com

    DALLAS, TX, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 – The November 15th deadline is rapidly approaching, as the Dallas Opera Guild prepares for the most exciting vocal competition in its history! For the very first time, the 27th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition is accepting applicants from all fifty states and U.S. territories, aged 21 to 32. Applications must be submitted online at YAPTracker.com by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2014. The entry fee is $35.
    Besides significant cash prizes and the extraordinary opportunity to perform before an influential world-class panel of judges, chaired by Dr. Brian Zeger, a major innovation at this year’s Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition (April 18-19, 2015) is the introduction of an orchestral accompaniment for the Finals Round. Competing artists will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Dallas Opera Orchestra led by internationally renowned Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, recently praised by The New York Times for his conducting of the prestigious 2014 Richard Tucker Music Foundation Gala. Richard Sasanow of Broadway World observed: “the evening was filled with many pleasures, under the baton of Maestro Emmanuel Villaume.” The maestro of choice for a host of renowned opera artists like Anna Netrebko, this is an aspiring opera singer’s chance to work, one-on-one, with one of the most sought-after conductors of our time.
    The judges for the upcoming 2015 competition reads like an American Opera “Who’s Who.”

    Judges for the 2015 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition:

    Brian Zeger, Chair
    Artistic Director of Juilliard’s Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts and Executive Director for the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program of the Metropolitan Opera

    Keith Cerny
    General Director and CEO of The Dallas Opera

    Ian Derrer
    Artistic Administrator, The Dallas Opera

    Gregory Henkel
    Director of Artistic and Music Planning, San Francisco Opera

    Andreas Melinat
    Director of Artistic Administration, Lyric Opera of Chicago

    Emmanuel Villaume
    Music Director, The Dallas Opera

    Joshua Winograde
    Senior Director of Artistic Planning, Los Angeles Opera

    Dallas Opera Guild President Susan Fleming explained that “The Guild has long been proud of the annual Vocal Competition, and our members who work countless hours behind the scenes to bring the competition to life. We are pleased to be working together with General Director & CEO Keith Cerny, Maestro Emmanuel Villaume, and Brian Zeger to build on our past success and to increase the national prominence of this competition.”

    Dallas Opera Guild 2015 Vocal Competition Chair Ketty Fitzgerald added, “Building on the foundation of all those who came before us, we have a unique opportunity to restructure this competition to enable it to do even more to advance the careers of the best young singers in opera. That is our ultimate goal, in taking this event to the next level.”

    Semifinalists will be notified on January 15, 2015. Additional details regarding the changes to the competition may be found at www.dallasopera.org/vocal. Mark your calendars now!
    ~~~~
    Single tickets for the remaining mainstage productions of the Dallas Opera’s “Heights of Passion” Season—including the world premiere production of Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer’s EVEREST—are on sale now, starting at just $19, through the Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or online at www.dallasopera.org. Student Rush best-available tickets can be purchased at the lobby box office for as little as $25 (one per valid Student I.D.) ninety minutes prior to each performance.

    ~~~~

    EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “NOVEMBER 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, Director of Media and Public Relations
    214.443.1014 or suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
    ~~~~
    TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2014-2015 SEASON SPONSOR
    FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “HEIGHTS OF PASSION” SEASON

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
    IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7
    VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG AND CHECK THE CALENDAR LISTINGS

    Ticket Information for the 2014-2015 Dallas Opera Season

    All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise described. Single Tickets range from $19 to $275 and Flex Subscriptions are on sale starting at $75. Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.

    THE DALLAS OPERA 2014-2015 SEASON INFORMATION
    The Dallas Opera celebrates its Fifty-Eighth International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired. The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances excluding FIRST NIGHT of the season.

    THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    October 24 (The Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance), Oct. 26(m), 29, November 1, 7 and 9(m), 2014
    In a single crazy, romantic day, doors will be locked and unlocked, disguised donned, kisses exchanged and innermost hearts revealed—to some of the most memorable music Mozart ever composed.
    An opera in four acts first performed in Vienna on May 1, 1786
    Text by Lorenzo Da Ponte after the 1784 play La folle journée, ou Le mariage de Figaro by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais
    Time: The late 18th century
    Place: Aguasfrescas near Seville, Spain, the Almaviva’s country house
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Stage Director: Kevin Moriarty
    Production Design: John Bury*
    Lighting Design: Mark McCullough
    Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
    Choreography: Joel Ferrell*
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Starring: Mirco Palazzi (Figaro) , Beate Ritter** (Susanna), Joshua Hopkins (Count Almaviva), Nicole Car** (Countess Almaviva), Emily Fons (Cherubino), Diana Montague* (Marcellina), Kevin Langan (Doctor Bartolo), Doug Jones (Don Basilio), Angela Mannino (Barbarina), Adam Lau* (Antonio) and Jon Kolbet (Don Curzio).
    Production Owned by Lyric Opera of Chicago

    SALOME by Richard Strauss
    October 30, November 2(m), 5, 8, 2014
    Once in a great while, the term “over the top” doesn’t seem nearly high enough.
    An opera in one act first performed in Dresden, Germany on December 9, 1905
    Hedwig Lachmann’s German translation of Oscar Wilde’s French language play
    Time: During the time of Jesus Christ
    Place: King Herod’s palace on the Sea of Galilee
    Conductor: Evan Rogister*
    Stage Director: Francesca Zambello
    Original Production: Francesca Zambello
    Scenic Design: Peter J. Davison*
    Costume Design: Anita Yavich
    Lighting Design: Mark McCullough
    Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Choreography: Yael Levitin*
    Starring: Deborah Voigt* (Salome), Robert Brubaker (Herod), Greer Grimsley* (Jokanaan), Susan Bickley* (Herodias), Scott Quinn (Narraboth), Heather Johnson* (Herodias’Page), Bradley Garvin (First Nazarene), Grigory Soloviov* (First Soldier), Jason Grant (Second Soldier), Joseph Hu (First Jew), Jay Gardner (Second Jew), John Robert Lindsey (Third Jew), Steven Haal (Fourth Jew), Patrick Guetti* (Fifth Jew), Tyler Simpson* (Second Nazarene), NaGuanda Nobles (A Slave) and Matthew Stump* (A Cappadocian).
    Production Owned by Washington National Opera

    A RARE DALLAS OPERA DOUBLE BILL:

    LA WALLY by Alfredo Catalani
    January 30, February 1(m), 4 and 7, 2015
    The Climactic Final Act!
    First performed in Milan, Italy on January 20, 1892
    Text by Luigi Illica after Wilhelmine von Hillern’s story, Die Geyer-Wally
    Time: Around the year 1800
    Place: The Austrian Alps
    Conductor: Anthony Barrese
    Stage Director: Candace Evans
    Scenic Design: Robert Brill
    Costume Design: David C. Woolard
    Lighting Design: Christopher Akerlind
    Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Starring: Latonia Moore (Wally), Carl Tanner* (Giuseppe Hagenbach) and Jennifer Chung (Walter)
    A Brand-New Dallas Opera Production!

    With EVEREST by Joby Talbot
    January 30, February 1(m), 4 and 7, 2015
    A Dallas Opera World Premiere!
    Text by Gene Scheer
    Time: Modern Day
    Place: In the Death Zone on Mount Everest
    Conductor: Nicole Paiement
    Stage Director: Leonard Foglia
    Scenic Design: Robert Brill
    Costume Design: David C. Woolard
    Video Design: Elaine J. McCarthy
    Lighting Design: Christopher Akerlind
    Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Starring: Andrew Bidlack (Rob Hall), Sasha Cooke (Jan Arnold), Kevin Burdette* (Beck Weathers) and Craig Verm* (Doug Hansen).

    LA BOHÈME by Giacomo Puccini
    March 13, 15(m), 18, 21, 27 and 29(m), 2015
    A passionate and timeless masterpiece in a beloved period production
    An opera in four acts first performed in Turin, Italy on February 1, 1896
    Text by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica after Henry Murger’s novel Scènes de la vie de bohème
    Time: mid-19th century
    Place: The Latin Quarter of Paris, France
    Conductor: Riccardo Frizza*
    Stage Director: Peter Kazaras
    Scenic Design: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
    Costume Design: Peter J. Hall
    Lighting Design: Thomas C. Hase
    Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Children’s Chorus Master: Melinda Cotton
    Starring: Ana Maria Martinez (Mimi), Bryan Hymel (Rodolfo), Davinia Rodriguez* (Musetta), Jonathan Beyer (Marcello), Alexander Vinogradov* (Colline), Stephen LaBrie (Schaunard) and Stefan Szkafarowsky (Benoit).
    One of the Dallas Opera’s Most Popular!

    IOLANTA by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    April 10, 12(m), 15 and 18, 2015
    A rarely performed Tchaikovsky gem, set in Medieval Provence!
    First performed in St. Petersburg, Russia on December 18, 1892
    Text by Modest Tchaikovsky based on the Danish play King Rene’s Daughter by Henrik Hertz
    Time: The 15th century
    Place: Provence, a mountainous region in Southern France
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Stage Director: Christian Räth
    Scenic Design: Christian Räth
    Costume Design: Susan Cox
    Video Design: Elaine J. McCarthy
    Lighting Design: Thomas C. Hase
    Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Starring: Ekaterina Scherbachenko* (Iolanta), Sergey Skorokhodov* (Count Vaudémont), Joanna Mongiardo* (Brigitta), Lauren McNeese (Laura), Tamara Mumford* (Marta), Andrei Bondarenko** (Robert, Duke of Burgandy), Mikhail Kolelishvili (Renè, King of Provence), Andrew Bidlack (Alméric), Vladislav Sulimsky** (Ibn-Hakia) and Jordan Bisch (Bertrand).
    Another New Dallas Opera Production

    * Dallas Opera Debut
    ** American Debut
    ______________________________________________________________________________________
    The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Texas Instruments Foundation, TACA, City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs; 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. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News. A special thanks to the Elsa von Seggern Foundation for its continuing support.

    ###

    From the Desk of Artistic Director Jonathan Pell, California Part II

    Yesterday afternoon I heard all the singers in the Los Angeles Opera’s young artist program.  Unlike many of the other similar programs around the country, the Los Angles program really draws on singers from around the world rather focusing just on Americans, and this group had representatives from Russia, Korea and Mexico, as well as from the United States.

    I was delighted that the most polished singer yesterday was Amanda Woodbury, a soprano who has twice placed second in the Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, and who was invited to join the LA Opera ensemble by Joshua Winograde, who oversees the program, after hearing her as a judge for the Dallas competition.  Her residency in Los Angeles comes to an end soon, but she has grown tremendously under the program, and is being rewarded with a performance of “Micaëla” in their current production of CARMEN later this week.  She is certainly someone to keep an “ear” on.

    Last night’s performance of CARMEN starred Brandon Jovanovich as “Don Jose”, who leaves the run in Los Angeles on Sunday to begin rehearsals on Monday in Dallas for the same role.  It will be interesting to see how he approaches this role in what will be a very different production in Dallas. Read more →