The Dallas Opera and the premier Classical Music Radio Station in Texas are taking you to the opera this October – and you don’t even have to put on your shoes. It’s part of the station’s ongoing “Saturday Afternoon at the Opera” series, at noon each Saturday, but for the month leading up to TDO’s new ‘Pursuits of Passion’ Season, it will be programmed and presented by Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny. Get all the dates, times and details in the release below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014
Suzanne.Calvin@dallasopera.org
Or Megan Meister 214.443.1071
Megan.Meister@dallasopera.org
THE DALLAS OPERA AND WRR, 101.1 FM
ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE
“Saturday Afternoon at the Opera” for the month of October will be hosted by
Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny
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Airing at Noon on October 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2012
On WRR, Classical 101.1 FM
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Cerny’s Personal Picks Include the Dallas Opera’s Critically Acclaimed New Production of Wagner’s TRISTAN & ISOLDE
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Works Linked to the Upcoming “Pursuits of Passion” Season:
Verdi’s FALSTAFF
Adams’ NIXON IN CHINA
And Britten’s THE TURN OF THE SCREW
DALLAS, AUGUST 30, 2012 – The Dallas Opera and WRR, 101.1 FM, the classical music station for all of North Texas, are pleased to announce plans for the debut of Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny as programmer and guest host of WRR’s “Saturday Afternoon at the Opera” for the entire month of October. These programs will provide a lead-in to the Dallas Opera’s new season, opening on Friday, October 26th with TDO’s FIRST NIGHT celebrations and the Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance.
WRR’s original, locally produced series of operatic masterworks is designed to highlight new recordings, classic opera recordings of yesteryear, and the finest artists of both yesterday and today.
“Three of the selections for this series,” explains Keith Cerny, “are linked to the mainstage works in our upcoming season: FALSTAFF is an exemplary tribute to a life fully lived; creative and evolving to the last. It shows that Giuseppe Verdi’s tremendous musical gifts included his ability to grow as a composer.
“NIXON IN CHINA by John Adams is one of the great modern masterpieces of opera, conveniently set in Beijing, which also serves as the setting for our second mainstage production this season, Giacomo Puccini’s TURANDOT. These two, larger-than-life works share more than a spot on the globe. They also explore (to a greater or lesser degree) the clash of cultures, and the brinkmanship that so often defines the nature of international relations.
“I chose a recording of Benjamin Britten’s THE TURN OF THE SCREW, based on another story by the great American novelist Henry James, the author of THE ASPERN PAPERS. The Dallas Opera will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our 1988 world premiere of Dominick Argento’s opera of the same name in 2013. It seemed particularly appropriate to turn to this dark Britten masterpiece to give us a taste of James’ unique storytelling style.
“However,” Cerny adds, “my fourth personal pick is one that music lovers in Dallas are still talking about—TDO’s mesmerizing new production of Richard Wagner’s TRISTAN & ISOLDE, which starred Clifton Forbis and Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet in the title roles. This will be an exclusive one-time-only broadcast of this highly acclaimed 2012 production and I am delighted to be able to bring it to radio audiences throughout North Texas on Classical 101.1.”
The series broadcast schedule for the month of October is as follows:
FALSTAFF by Giuseppe Verdi
Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Noon on WRR, 101.1. FM
Sir Georg Solti conducts the RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Geraint Evans in the title role, Giulietta Simionato as Mistress Quickly,
Mirella Freni as Nannetta, Robert Merrill as Ford and Alfredo Kraus as Fenton
A classic 1964 recording!
NIXON IN CHINA by John Adams
Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Noon on WRR, 101.1 FM
Edo de Waart conducts the Orchestra of St. Luke’s
James Maddalena as Nixon, Sanford Sylvan as Chou En-lai, Carolann Page as Pat Nixon, John Duykers as Mao T’se-tung, and Trudy Ellen Craney as Madame Mao
THE TURN OF THE SCREW by Benjamin Britten
Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Noon on WRR, 101.1 FM
Sir Colin Davis conducts Members of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House,
Covent Garden; starring Helen Donath as the Governess, Heather Harper as Miss Jessel,
Robert Tear as Quint, Ava June as Mrs. Grose, Michael Ginn as Miles,
Lilian Watson as Flora, and Philip Langridge singing the Prologue
TRISTAN UND ISOLDE by Richard Wagner
Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Noon on WRR, 101.1 FM
An exclusive broadcast of the Dallas Opera’s critically acclaimed 2012 production of Wagner’s groundbreaking masterpiece, with a stellar international ensemble cast:
Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet, Clifton Forbis, Mary Phillips, Jukka Rasilainen,
Kristinn Sigmundsson, Stephen Gadd, Aaron Blake and Quincy Roberts.
Music Director Graeme Jenkins conducted the Dallas Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
Production Conceived, Directed and Designed by Christian Räth.
Projections designed by Elaine J. McCarthy, Austin Switser, and Vita Tzykun.
Your one and only chance to hear this phenomenal TDO performance.
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Single tickets for the 2012-2013 Season are subject to dynamic pricing (the earlier they are purchased and the less-in-demand, the lower the price) and will go on sale – for as little as $19 – on September 10, 2012. Subscriptions start at just $75. Inner Circle seating may be priced higher.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “AUGUST AT THE DALLAS OPERA”
IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7
VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG AND CHECK THE CALENDAR LISTINGS
Or dallasopera.org/summer
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
The Dallas Opera’s 2012-2013 “Pursuits of Passion Season”
Is Presented by Texas Instruments Foundation
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 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. Single tickets go on sale September 10, 2012, starting at just $19. 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-Sixth International 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: The Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance
Featuring Latonia Moore, The Charron and Peter Denker Rising Star (2012)
October 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 (Aïda), 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 Montenegro* (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 a Henry James novella.
Time: Legendary
Place: Lake Como, 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
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Assistant Director: Michael Mori
Starring: Susan Graham* (Tina), Alexandra Deshorties (Juliana Bordereau), Nathan Gunn (The Lodger), Joseph Kaiser* (Aspern), Dean Peterson (Barelli), Sasha Cooke* (Sonia), Eric Jordan* (A painter), Jennifer Youngs* (Olimpia).
* Dallas Opera 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. A special thanks to Mrs. William W. Winspear and the Elsa von Seggern Foundation for their continuing support.
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