From Bob Miller’s column in “The Dallas Morning News”:
The Dallas Opera honors Margaret McDermott with musical work
By Robert Miller
romiller@dallasnews.com
Published 06 April 2011 10:54 PM
The Dallas Opera will present the world premiere Friday evening of a song cycle dedicated to Dallas philanthropist Margaret McDermott.
A Question of Light, by composer Jake Heggie and lyricist Gene Scheer, was inspired by six masterpieces on view at the Dallas Museum of Art.
The work was commissioned for the opera’s annual spring gala, Unveil, which is chaired by Jessica Jesse, and in partnership with the DMA.
Heggie and Scheer dedicated it to McDermott in honor of her visionary leadership and support of the Dallas Opera and the DMA.
The gala performance will feature renowned American baritone Nathan Gunn, accompanied by Heggie.
The black-tie event at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House starts with a cocktail party at 7 p.m., followed by the performance at 8 and a dinner and live auction afterward.
“Besides being a tremendous celebration of the work and mission of the Dallas Opera, the 2011 gala is a vitally important fundraiser,” said Keith Cerny, the opera’s general director and CEO.
“Unveil is our chance to raise public awareness of the contributions the company makes to the civic and cultural life of Dallas and to underscore the necessity for widespread, generous support.”
Gala sponsors and donors include:
$25,000: Lockheed Martin Corp.
$10,000: Arlene and John Dayton, Eugene McDermott Foundation, Fulbright and Jaworski LLP, Jessica and Bill Jesse, Judge Barbara M. Lynn and Michael P. Lynn, Joyce and Harvey Mitchell, Mildred Oppenheimer, Katherine and Michael Phillips, Betty and Stephen Suellentrop, and Marnie and Dr. Kern Wildenthal.
$5,000: American Airlines Inc., Bell’Invito, Cartier, Dreamfly Productions, Grey Goose Vodka, Heritage Auction, Nest, Dr. and Mrs. Pedro Nosnik, Olivia Riegel, PaperCity, Serena & Lily and the Wine Group.
Tickets to the dinner and performance start at $1,000 per person. For the first time, the opera is offering a Young Patrons Ensemble ticket for $125 that includes the cocktail party and performance.
For tickets, contact special events manager Morgan Vaughn at 214-443-1063 or morgan.vaughn@dallasopera.org.
For more information about the Dallas Opera, visit www.dallasopera.org.
(An added note from the management: Single tickets for the recital only, which includes both the world premiere song cycle and a cabaret evening with baritone Nathan Gunn — the latter, praised by “The New York Times” as noted in D magazine’s Front Row blog. Tickets are available at 214.443.1000 for just $75 each. Call quickly!)
Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media and PR