Archives for March 2011
Verdi’s RIGOLETTO
March 30, 2011
Paolo Gavanelli as Rigoletto and Laura Claycomb as Gilda Photo Credits: Karen Almond, Dallas Opera
Verdi’s RIGOLETTO
Paolo Gavanelli as Rigoletto Photo Credits: Karen Almond, Dallas Opera
Verdi’s RIGOLETTO
Kirstin Chavez as Maddalena and James Valenti as The Duke Photo Credits: Karen Almond, Dallas Opera
Verdi’s RIGOLETTO
Paolo Gavanelli as Rigoletto Photo Credits: Karen Almond, Dallas Opera
Verdi’s RIGOLETTO
James Valenti stars as The Duke Photo Credits: Karen Almond, Dallas Opera
Verdi’s RIGOLETTO
Laura Claycomb as Gilda Photo Credits: Karen Almond, Dallas Opera
Verdi’s RIGOLETTO
James Valenti as The Duke and Laura Claycomb as Gilda Photo Credits: Karen Almond, Dallas Opera
Verdi’s RIGOLETTO
Laura Claycomb and James Valenti Photo Credits: Karen Almond, Dallas Opera
Verdi’s RIGOLETTO
Paolo Gavanelli stars as Rigoletto. Photo Credits: Karen Almond, Dallas Opera
Verdi’s RIGOLETTO
James Valenti as The Duke (left) and Paolo Gavanelli as Rigoletto Photo Credits: Karen Almond, Dallas Opera
Rigoletto and the Curse of Class – Sally-Page Stuck – FB Contest Winner Review Writer’s take of RIGOLETTO
Dallas, TX – In its second season at the new Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, the Dallas Opera presented the opening night of Rigoletto on March 25, 2011. Rigoletto, by Giuseppe Verdi with libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, was based on a play by Victor Hugo. Rigoletto originally opened in 1851 in Venice. Maestro... Read more →
Don’t Keep This a Secret
One of our regular reviewers, Arts Editor Terry Mathews of the “Sulphur Springs News-Telegram” brought her husband with her to experience our outstanding production of “Rigoletto” and the pair decided to take advantage of the Dallas Opera’s free pre-performance lecture, the “Joy and Ronald Mankoff Opera Overture.” Here’s what they discovered. Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media... Read more →
Facebook Contest Review Writer Winner Nathan Graham’s review of Rigoletto Opening Night
March 29, 2011
Flipping through my Playbill for The Dallas Opera’s production of Verdi’s Rigoletto, I was struck by a quote from CE Keith Cerny. “Rigoletto is a well-known favorite,” he writes, “but bringing it to life in a dramatically convincing fashion is always a challenge. In all but the best productions, the work can appear contrived.”... Read more →
The Critics Speak, Part One
March 28, 2011
The audiences have been raving about the current revival of Verdi’s RIGOLETTO at the Dallas Opera and we expect word-of-mouth to push strong ticket sales for the remainder of the run (note to self: get those friends and family tickets today). And the critics, for the most part, seem to be generally in agreement on... Read more →
Facebook Contest Review Writer Winner Eliot C. Hall’s review of Rigoletto Opening Night
Recently the Coen brothers created a film called A Serious Man about a family burdened by an ancient curse. The modern film making duo would be right at home with the story of Rigoletto, a prideful invalid, who recognizes the portent of a father’s curse, the moment it reaches his ear. A Clown who tries... Read more →
Life-Altering: The Dallas Opera
March 25, 2011
However, we don’t take the credit for Stephanie Rucker’s life-altering experience as a super for the Dallas Opera. As detailed in this touching NBC 5 report from Kristi Nelson, all the credit belongs to a young woman who took a chance and made a genuine commitment to this art form. And aren’t we all lucky to be working with people... Read more →
Clueless
I try to be understanding about these things, to put myself in the other person’s place; to be patient, kind, compassionate, and sympathetic to the plight of modern theater and opera goers – being one myself. But you have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Who was that woman in the first row of the Winspear... Read more →
James Valenti: By Any Other Name, Still Gorgeous!
A terrific advance piece on our “Rigoletto” opening tonight at 7:30 PM by CBS 11’s Sandie Newton. Yes, you’ll do a double take on the onscreen misspelling of James’ last name. They keep promising they’ll fix it, but in the meantime, I don’t want to deprive you of the story and the great footage from... Read more →
The Dullest Arts District Money Can Buy?
March 22, 2011
Actually, this piece that appeared in the “Chicago Tribune” isn’t as critical as my headline would imply; but it certainly points out that there’s more to be done to make the Dallas Arts District the grand fusion of streetlife and art that turns public spaces into people places (a la Millennium Park) and to give... Read more →
“In the Presence of Greatness”
March 21, 2011
You know, it’s one thing when a schlub like me waxes enthusiastically about a singer; it’s something else entirely when a bonafide and respected professional does the same about another artist. So, this entry on DavidCangelosi.com was definitely worth noting–in regard to the superb Russian artist singing the title role in our upcoming production of “Boris... Read more →
A Character with Fatal Flaws and Fab Abs
March 18, 2011
To make-off with Sally Fields’ most famous moment on the podium, “He likes us! He really likes us!” Actually, the love-fest is mutual in this piece on tenor James Valenti from the always delicious pen of Terry Mathews at the “Sulphur Springs News-Telegram.” And check out Karen Almond’s “Dangerous Desires” photo of Valenti (our dastardly-yet-irresistible... Read more →
Dallas Opera Chamber Series
March 16, 2011
It’s official! We are launching a new chamber opera series in March of 2012 with a Dallas Opera production of Peter Maxwell Davies’ THE LIGHTHOUSE, conducted by the second woman guest conductor in our history and staged by Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty in his opera debut! And did I mention where this... Read more →
A Supper Worth Singing For
March 8, 2011
UNVEIL Gala Chair Jessica Jesse hosted an intimate soiree this past weekend (how I love to type the words ‘intimate soiree’ even if I cannot find the accent key) for the lucky and generous underwriters of the upcoming event. And what a night it was! Don’t take my word for it, ask Rob Brinkley at PaperCity.... Read more →
Smooth Musicianship
March 4, 2011
Dallas Opera patrons who attended our 50th Anniversary celebrations just a few seasons back (chaired by Joyce and Harvey Mitchell) will remember the ultra-fabulous finale: a Meyerson Symphony Center gala and concert starring the incomparable Renee Fleming and the sophisticated sounds of trumpeter Chris Botti, who brought his jazz brilliance, as well as his classical... Read more →
2011 Founders Award Luncheon
March 2, 2011
It’s that time of year – time for the annual Juanita and Henry S. Miller, Jr. Founders Award Luncheon hosted by The Women’s Board of the Dallas Opera. This year’s honorees, Sara and David Martineau, were serenaded by two very special guests. Find out more about the event and those “Andy Garcia good looks” at... Read more →