Archives for April 2012
Score!
April 30, 2012
It was an amazing thing to see: 15 thousand people, most of whom stayed all the way through the curtain calls and many of whom–I’ll bet–walked away with a completely different impression of this art form we call “opera.” It was a grand night for the Dallas Opera, The Dallas Foundation, and Cowboys Stadium, but... Read more →
Simulcast Applauded by Thousands
April 29, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sunday, April 29, 2012 Contact: Suzanne Calvin (214.443.1014/suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org) Or Megan Meister (214.443.1071/megan.meister@dallasopera.org) A LONE STAR STATE RECORD! AN ESTIMATED 15,000 THRILL TO THE MUSIC OF MOZART AT THE DALLAS OPERA COWBOYS STADIUM SIMULCAST! ~~~~ PRESENTED BY THE DALLAS FOUNDATION ~~~~ HISTORIC SIMULCAST GENERATES TICKET REQUESTS OF MORE THAN 34,000 AND HUNDREDS OF... Read more →
Tamino Talks
April 27, 2012
Admittedly, a rather silly headline, but we already knew Shawn could sing. In fact, he was evidently a Wunderlich-inspired wunderkind! Read tenor Shawn Mathey’s charming interview with Gregory Sullivan Isaacs at “Theater Jones,” as the two tenors indulge in a little shop-talk and wonderful tales of Shawn’s dad, tenor/conductor Richard Mathey. Get it all here and... Read more →
The Deal of the Day
Always looking for great values, “Dallas Morning News” blogger Marjorie Stanfield lasered-in on our fantastic deal for this evening’s performance of “La traviata” at the Winspear Opera House. I’ll let her bring you the details right here. (Photo of Myrto Papatanasiu and James Valenti by Karen Almond, Dallas Opera) Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR... Read more →
My Personal Favorite
April 26, 2012
There have been so many terrific stories on the Dallas Opera Cowboys Stadium Simulcast, presented by The Dallas Foundation, but Jamie Laughlin’s spoof on “The Mixmaster,” the “Dallas Observer’s” art and culture blog may be the wittiest effort yet. However, now that I can’t–in good taste–wear my “Mozart is My Homeboy” tee to Saturday’s event,... Read more →
It is Drawing Nigh
I don’t think I have ever typed the words “drawing nigh” in my life, but here we are, just two days away from what appears to be one of the largest opera simulcasts in American history. It’s happening Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, presented by The Dallas Foundation, and Sandie Newton of KTVT CBS-11... Read more →
Opera’s Everyman
April 25, 2012
From “The Dallas Morning News,” Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell examines the enduring appeal of Papageno in Mozart’s THE MAGIC FLUTE. We’ll give you a little hint: it’s not his manly virtues that capture our imaginations…read more here. Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR
Two First Names, Two Thought-Provoking Reviews
Critic Mark-Brian Sonna, who writes for John Garcia’s “The Column” has posted a couple of reviews worth reading for our current productions of Verdi’s LA TRAVIATA and Mozart’s THE MAGIC FLUTE. I don’t necessarily agree with every word, but I don’t have to, to find these thoughtful and interesting. LA TRAVIATA, which will be performed Friday... Read more →
Playing Catch Up – TDO Reviews
Yes, it’s been a busy week in these parts – and liable to become busier still with this weekend’s opera party for approximately 32,000 of our friends. That’s my excuse, anyway, for just now posting the latest reviews of the two blockbuster productions being presented by the Dallas Opera. Of THE MAGIC FLUTE, which opened... Read more →
The Running of the Bulls by Jonathan Pell
April 21, 2012
I need a statistician to figure the odds! At last night’s opening night party following the first performance of The Magic Flute I discovered something truly extraordinary about three members of our cast. Next Saturday, which happens to be the simulcast of Magic Flute to Cowboys Stadium is Caitlyn Lynch’s birthday. Caitlyn sings the role... Read more →
Making News at “My Sweet Charity”
April 20, 2012
The always enterprising Jeanne Prejean at “My Sweet Charity” is commenting on TDO soirees – both on and off the field – conceived by General Director and CEO Keith Cerny. Read her blog entry on the topic right here! (Photo of Keith Cerny by Jeanne Prejean) Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media and PR
Last Round-Up for the MAGIC FLUTE Simulcast
April 19, 2012
I do believe that Patrick Carfizzi and Ava Pine are gaping at the latest figures – showing upwards of 30,500 ticket requests for our upcoming simulcast! Fewer than 1500 free tickets remain for the Dallas Opera Cowboys Stadium Simulcast on Saturday, April 28th, presented by The Dallas Foundation. Better act quick! Here’s more from “Barihunks” “Yahoo!... Read more →
Megan’s Musings Volume 8: Raymond Aceto
April 18, 2012
I am sitting down with bass Raymond Aceto, Sarastro in TDO’s production of The Magic Flute opening on Friday, April 20th. Ray was last with TDO in last season’s critically-acclaimed production of Verdi’s Rigoletto as Sparafucile.
Last Chance for Tickets
30,500 and still counting, but not for very much longer. If you haven’t acted before now, get your free tickets to the April 28th Cowboys Stadium simulcast before it’s too late. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Contact: Suzanne Calvin (214.443.1014/suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org) Or Megan Meister (214.443.1071/megan.meister@dallasopera.org) ONLY TEN DAYS TO GO! REQUESTS FOR TICKETS TO... Read more →
The Critics, Part Two
Time to begin a new page of reviews, I think, and we’ll start with Katie Womack’s smart assessment of “La traviata,” being performed tonight, as well as April 21st, 27th and 29th (matinee) in the Winspear. Ms. Womack writes in this week’s issue of the “Observer”: “Lead by strong vocal and instrumental performances and underscored by a stunning... Read more →
The Critics Weigh-In on LA TRAVIATA
April 16, 2012
Gregory Sullivan Isaacs of “Theater Jones” calls it “an evocative, moody production of one of the most beautiful operas ever written, performed with a consistent degree of musical excellence that few other opera houses could match.” Read Gregory’s review here. But I regret to report that not everyone was quite so enchanted with the opening performance... Read more →
Gallic Gravitas
April 13, 2012
There’s just something about Laurent Naouri that goes beyond gifts or talents. I think it’s the sense that he is an artist of genuine class, a gentleman who would rather listen than speak and, when he does speak, a man worth paying attention to. Check out his thoughts on a life intertwined in opera, both onstage and off, and musings... Read more →
A Great First Time Experience
And who would know that better than an opera singer himself? That’s the verdict of tenor James Valenti, singing the role of Alfredo Germont in “La traviata” opening later today at the Winspear Opera House. He tells “Sulphur Springs News-Telegram” Arts Editor Terry Mathews why this is such a good choice for the opera-phobic... Read more →
Longer Lasting Love
Longer lasting, that is, than either of the ill-fated protagonists in “La traviata” opening this evening at the Winspear Opera House. From the Dallas publication “The Voice,” here’s an intimate look at the lives of one of opera’s most fascinating team: renowned stage director Bliss Hebert and equally renowned production designer Allen Charles Klein. Read it... Read more →
Artistic Director Jonathan Pell: Ailyn Perez 2012 Richard Tucker Winner
April 12, 2012
I just had a very excited Ailyn Perez on the telephone informing me that she is this year’s winner of the Richard Tucker Award ! This $30,000 prize is the operatic equivalent of winning the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize and an Academy Award all rolled into one ! Her husband, Stephen Costello,... Read more →
General Director’s Roundtable: The Importance of Arts in Education
April 10, 2012
The General Director’s Roundtable features timely and in-depth discussion of issues affecting opera, contemporary audiences, and the greater performing arts community today. The brainchild of Dallas Opera General Director & CEO Keith Cerny, this series seeks to bring together the most knowledgeable voices in their fields, both local and national, in a genuine quest for... Read more →