Archives for 2009
Revisiting “Nabucco” with Bagley and Orr
December 29, 2009
The Dallas Museum of Art is earning well-deserved kudos for it’s new “State of the Arts” series in the Horchow Auditorium, which explores “the creative process and the nature of performance.” Down the road, you’ll have a chance to hear our own Music Director Graeme Jenkins and the DTC’s Kevin Moriarty expound upon their views... Read more →
Expensive as the Dickens!
December 23, 2009
I’ve never heard Charles Dickens, the prolific 19th century British literary superstar, described as a “picky” sort of fellow. Little did I know. The BBC News is reporting that a high-tech toothpick that belonged to the author of “A Christmas Carol” has been sold at auction in New York City for nearly 10 thousand dollars.... Read more →
In Very Select Company
December 14, 2009
Dallas Opera Board member John Dayton has been singled out (and deservedly so) by “The Dallas Morning News” for his crucial role in the conception, planning and opening of the new Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Downtown Dallas. Mr. Dayton was one of six nominees put forward by the GuideDaily... Read more →
Party On!
December 11, 2009
It’s awfully nice to attend a glamorous birthday party and realize that you’re the one getting the present! That was the case on Monday night at the celebration marking Nancy B. Hamon’s birthday and the first recital in the new Education and Recital Hall (in the Winspear Opera House) named in her honor. While not... Read more →
Spring Season 2010
In writing on the Dallas Opera’s “Spring Season” roll-out, KERA “Art and Seek” blog-meister Jerome Weeks makes a solid point about the perceived high cost of attending the performing arts. Read about it here. Suzanne Calvin, Assoc. Dir. of Modified Limited Hangouts, The Dallas Opera
Heggie at Cafe Madrid
December 9, 2009
For a handful of select local media, it was a fascinating inside look at the process (and the ticking clock) that accompanies a world premiere. Renowned composer Jake Heggie – hard at work on orchestrations for “Moby-Dick,” which will have its world premiere at the Dallas Opera in late April – is back in Dallas and... Read more →
Trouble Out West
That pained expression on Placido’s face may be more fact than fiction these days. There’s been a lot to admire about L.A. Opera in recent seasons, so, news of emergency – and I do mean EMERGENCY – financing came as a particular shock, despite the realization that performing arts groups across the country are suffering the effects... Read more →
Working Out with Nathan Gunn
December 8, 2009
Historical fiction, Rammstein and the occasional bag of potato chips. Although there’s nothing “regular” about his talent, this engaging feature story in the “Wall Street Journal” proves that, in some ways, opera star baritone Nathan Gunn is a regular guy, fighting all the same battles that beset us mere mortals (with common sense and a-typical success). Catch... Read more →
The Torch Has Been Passed
December 7, 2009
Yet, the flame lives on. The Founding President and Honorary Director of The Dallas Opera (originally Dallas Civic Opera), one of the most influential and prescient civic, art and business leaders in the history of Dallas, has passed away at the age of 95. Henry S. Miller, Jr. died Saturday (December 5th) following a brief illness,... Read more →
The Winspear Home
Not the house, the home. Word that Bill and Margot Winspear’s former Turtle Creek residence, a double penthouse suite with sweeping views of the new opera house named in their honor, is up for sale. Details in Alan Peppard’s Dallas Morning News column. For those who may not know: the couple put up $42 million... Read more →