Archives for 2012
Fashionista Heaven and Moore!
October 31, 2012
More favorable reactions to the overall experience of FIRST NIGHT 2012. This, from Sherri Tilley at “The Flash List” who savored it all and wrote of soprano Latonia Moore: “Her solo ‘Return a conqueror’ in Act I had the audience mesmerized, absolutely captivated by her uniquely beautiful voice. Like a praiseworthy evangelist, Latonia Moore will... Read more →
Second Wave for AIDA
The reviews continue to roll in for the Dallas Opera’s Season Opener: AIDA, featuring an incredible ensemble cast and starring soprano Latonia Moore in the title role. Olin Chism reviewed for the “Star-Telegram” and found much to praise about the singing and more: “This was one Aida that was firing on all cylinders. Conductor... Read more →
“Reddy” on the Red Carpet
Distinctive fashions, intriguing designs, and every one of them gorgeous. That was the story of FIRST NIGHT 2012 honoring Women’s Basketball great Nancy Lieberman and presenting “Arts and Sports Together,” starting with a blazing red gown depicting the Dallas Opera’s “Pursuits of Passion” Season. Here’s a take on the entire affair from “Culture Map Dallas” and... Read more →
From the Desk of Artistic Director Jonathan Pell – Chicago
I sat at the gate in an airplane for two and a half hours this morning at DFW hoping my flight would be cleared to take off for Chicago. High winds had slowed air traffic into O’Hare and I had auditions scheduled this afternoon with eleven young singers from the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan... Read more →
AIDA – The First Wave
October 27, 2012
The first reviews are out, regarding the Dallas Opera’s spectacular season opener: Verdi’s AIDA with soprano Latonia Moore in the title role. Wayne Lee Gay of D Magazine’s “FrontRow” blog wrote that Miss Moore “simply astounded with a voice that was equally powerful–and clearly capable of subtle effect–from top to bottom.” Read more of Wayne’s... Read more →
Keeping Dancers on Their Toes
October 26, 2012
Choreographer Kenneth von Heidecke has returned to the Dallas Opera to work his magic on our dance-loaded production of AIDA. Gregory Sullivan Isaacs, special contributor to “Dallas Voice” has more on his extraordinary life and remarkable talent – here. (Photo courtesy of…uh…me) Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR
TDO: For All of North Texas
It’s always particularly appreciated when people make an effort to attend a Dallas Opera performance, and doubly so when they come from out of town. A group from the Sulphur Springs Symphony League will attend our matinee performance of AIDA this Sunday and, evidently, they’re already making mental preparations. More on the story from... Read more →
Repeating with Emphasis!
October 24, 2012
It’s a good week to stop, check your calendars again, and make sure you’re not missing out on any of the terrific opera-tunities available to you in the weeks and months ahead. Here’s a rundown from “Culture Map Dallas” and Elaine Liner. (Photo of Latonia Moore as Aida and Nadia Krasteva as Amneris by Karen... Read more →
Caballe Recovering
World-renowned Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballe, who made her American debut with the Dallas Opera in our 1965 production of LA TRAVIATA, suffered a stroke and fell and broke her arm in Russia, where she was appearing in concert. More details here. She is 79 years old. We wish her a speedy and complete recovery. (Photo... Read more →
“Get Out There – and Come Back a Star!”
October 22, 2012
Frankly, she was already an internationally acclaimed star but, nevertheless, there is a marvelous Busby Berkeley “42nd Street” quality to the now-legendary Metropolitan Opera debut of soprano Latonia Moore, who stepped into the title role of Aida without a single onstage rehearsal – and for an international radio broadcast. Get all that and more in Gregory... Read more →
Sneak Peek at AIDA – and TDO’s Awe-Inspiring Set
October 18, 2012
Can’t wait any longer to get a look at the Dallas Opera’s AIDA, opening Friday, October 26th? I don’t blame you a bit for being curious. Fortunately, we were lucky enough to rate a segment on this morning’s “Good Morning Texas” on WFAA-TV with reporter Shannon Powell Hart, featuring several key people–both onstage and off.... Read more →
From the Desk of Artistic Director Jonathan Pell – San Francisco – Part II
October 17, 2012
Tenor Stephen Costello (“Greenhorn” in MOBY-DICK) with his voice teacher Bill Schuman in San Francisco. It was such a thrill to see MOBY-DICK again last night, with most of the original cast intact from the world premiere in Dallas, along with the original conductor, Patrick Summers and stage director Leonard Foglia. A large group of... Read more →
From the Desk of Artistic Director Jonathan Pell – San Francisco Part 1
October 16, 2012
San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House illuminated at night in the mist I am in San Francisco to attend a performance of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s MOBY-DICK on Saturday night with almost 40 Dallas Opera patrons who wanted the chance to see and hear it again. I flew out a day early so that... Read more →
“Tic, Tock,” says the clock
October 9, 2012
Still time (about half an hour) to get here to find out the ins and outs of creating and commissioning new operas with two of the best in our field, Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny and Fort Worth Opera General Director Darren Woods. Oh, did I mention the moderator? Art and Seek... Read more →
Great Review for Laura
…for the venue, not so much. Here’s one man’s take on last Sunday afternoon’s Laura Claycomb recital at the DMA’s Horchow Auditorium, from “Dallas Morning News” Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell. Read it, ici! Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media and PR
“Miss Moore, your moment has arrived!”
October 4, 2012
That seems to be what the opera universe has to say about the skyrocketing career of Texas-born Latonia Moore, starring in the Dallas Opera’s AIDA, opening for the first of six performances on October 26th. Hers is a story worthy of a Busby Berkeley or Frank Capra movie – minus the inevitable “Capracorn” – and it’s... Read more →
TDO’s Ticket Office Muse
It never ceases to amaze me, the amount of creative talent that permeates the Dallas Opera’s administrative offices. We have singers, dancers, musicians, dramatists, visual artists and more; nearly everyone here has their very full-time day job, and something else besides. A case in point: Patron Services Coordinator Paul Semrad who, without saying a word... Read more →
November at the Dallas Opera
October 2, 2012
No turkeys here-just great music and good fun! See all the reasons to make the Dallas Opera a bigger part of your family life this November. Keep scrolling… FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Megan Meister 214.443.1071 suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org megan.meister@dallasopera.org NOVEMBER BRINGS THE FAMILY TOGETHER AT THE DALLAS OPERA! ~~~~... Read more →
Inside Laura Claycomb (Rated PG)
October 1, 2012
My, what pearly white teeth she has! With good reason, it turns out. But I don’t want to take away too much from the CultureMap story below. (Photo of Laura Claycomb as Gilda in the Dallas Opera’s RIGOLETTO by production photographer Karen Almond) CULTURE MAP SOPRANO SPOTLIGHT 5 questions for hometown girl and Dallas Opera... Read more →
From the Desk of Jonathan Pell, Artistic Director – LA Opera Part II
The LA Opera poster for Verdi’s I DUE FOSCARI, starring Placido Domingo I DUE FOSCARI was only Verdi’s 6th opera, coming after NABUCCO and ERNANI, but a few years before his great middle period, and long before the masterpieces he created at the end of his remarkable life. Had he not written TROVATORE and TRAVIATA... Read more →
From the Desk of Jonathan Pell, Artistic Director – LA Opera Part I
The LA Opera poster for DON GIOVANNI I flew out to Los Angeles yesterday to hear the singers in the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program and to attend performances of Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI and Verdi’s I DUE FOSCARI. Six new singers join two returning artists to comprise the “class” of 2013, and among them is soprano... Read more →
AIDA Just Weeks Away!
We are literally counting the days now until the start of the 2012-2013 “Pursuits of Passion” Season, sponsored by Texas Instruments Foundation. Get details on our opening production below. (Photo of Latonia Moore off-stage at the Met, courtesy of instantencore.com) MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, September 27, 2012 Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Suzanne.Calvin@dallasopera.org Or... Read more →
CALL HIM ISMAIL: THE MAN OPERA FORGOT
“We are now part of Europe,” stated Ismail the Magnificent, Khedive of Egypt, as he maneuvered his ancient kingdom through the maze of international politics during the 1860s and 1870s. To back up his otherwise incorrect claim, he founded a modern postal system, instituted an expansionist military policy, built an enviable railway system, and oversaw... Read more →