2007 People's Choice Award Winner Catherine Martin

For Lone Star Opera lovers, Spring brings The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, now marking it’s 20th year.  This year’s competition for young Texas singers will be conducted on Saturday, April 19th at Gooch Auditorium on the campus of UT Southwestern Medical Center, located at Harry Hines Blvd. and Butler.  Semi-finals begin at 11:30 am and the finals round (with complimentary valet parking and a post-performance champagne buffet) at 7:00 pm.  The public is invited – free of charge – to support these young singers and provide invaluable feedback. 

For more information, call 214-443-1040 and enjoy the sneak peek provided by Dallas Opera Guild President Marilyn Halla in conversation with The Dallas Opera’s Suzanne Calvin.

Suzanne: It’s such a fantastic event for music lovers from across North Texas!  This is now the twentieth year for The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition.  Let’s begin at the beginning: Where did the idea for this competition come from?

Marilyn: There was a group of ladies in The Dallas Opera Guild back in 1987, who talked with Jonathan Pell, General Director Plato Karayanis and Dallas Morning News Classical Music Critic John Ardoin, about a competition that would give grants to young singers with Texas ties.  So, it was called the “Career Development Grant Competition.”  Later, the name was changed but the idea, from the very beginning, was to pinpoint outstanding young Texas singers who had the potential to go on and develop a career in opera.

Ava Pine in The Merry Widow

TDO: You’ve played a wide range of roles for The Dallas Opera over the past year, what stands out in your mind about those experiences?

Pine: The variety.  I’ve done everything from Zozo the “star” grisette (in The Merry Widow to Anna, the sister of the High Priest in Nabucco and I get to bring a little bit of something different to each one.  They’ve each been a challenge because I’m not given a whole lot to work with – musically or dramatically – and I have to bring all of me to that performance and (allow the character to) be a valuable part of that show.

TDO: You looked like you were having a terrific time in The Merry Widow.

Pine: Oh, believe me – I was!  And also scared to death.  As opera singers, we’re not accustomed to being lifted up in the air on one person’s hand.  So, it was an adventure but, it was fun to step out of my comfort zone in every way: musically, movement-wise and dramatically, as well.  I don’t really play characters like that.  It was fun!

Who would you rather audition for?

TDO's Jonathan Pell

American Idol's Simon Cowell

Takesha Meshé Kizart

On the evening of May 10th at the Westin Galleria Hotel, The Dallas Opera Guild will host a gala black-tie event to increase the endowment for the Guild’s annual Vocal Competition for young Texas singers.  The evening’s entertainment will include a performance by Takesha Meshé Kizart, one of the past winners of “The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition,” as well as dancing to the Linda Petty Band, dinner, and a silent auction.

This festive celebration will also mark the 50th Anniversary of The Dallas Opera Guild, a vital source of support for The Dallas Opera.  Sets and costumes from past productions (spanning several decades) will decorate the Westin Galleria ballroom.  Chairs Marlene Seidel and Sylvia Elton – along with their committee members – are planning a night to remember!  Honorary Chair for this event is Connie Klemow, past President of the Guild, and one of the founders of our Vocal Competition, now celebrating its 20th anniversary.  Tickets for the “900 Nights of Opera” celebration are still available at $125 per person.  Patron tickets (and how we love our patrons!) can be obtained for just $175 by contacting the Guild office at 214-443-1040.

On May 10th, volunteers will be needed to set up for the event, and to work both the silent auction and check-out tables.  For more information, please call the Guild at 214-443-1040.

FYI…A lovely Patron Party was held on April 13th, graciously hosted by Fay Briggs and sponsored by Morris Salerno, owner and chef of “The Grotto” restaurant and the Epicurean World Master Chefs Society.  The outstanding food provided by the Master Chefs, served in the beautiful setting of Fay Briggs elegant home (with music provided by Jerry Stephens at the piano) offered a perfect evening for Table Hosts and enthusiastic patrons.