The festive season opening plans are well underway thanks to the leadership of our wonderful Co-Chairs Lynn McBee and Nicholas Even!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2014
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org
THE DALLAS OPERA IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
THE APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRS
LYNN MCBEE AND NICHOLAS EVEN
FOR FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT
EXCITING SEASON KICK-OFF
EVENTS FOR TDO’S 2014-2015
“HEIGHTS OF PASSION” SEASON
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DALLAS, JULY 18, 2014 – The Dallas Opera is delighted to announce the Chairs for the magnificent 2014-2015 FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT events: Ms. Lynn McBee and Mr. Nicholas Even.
The thrilling season-opening festivities that kick off the Dallas Opera’s upcoming “Heights of Passion” Season begin on Thursday, October 23 at 11:00 a.m. with a glamorous FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and Luncheon, the place “to see and be seen” this fall, featuring fabulous custom-designed gowns from internationally renowned designers along with an exclusive show by the iconic Italian designer Robert Cavalli.
The excitement continues the following day with an elegant FIRST NIGHT Pre-Performance Dinner on Friday, October 24 in a beautifully appointed tent on the approach to the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. The evening will begin on the red carpet at 5:30 p.m., as models provide our best look yet at each of the breathtaking, one-of-a-kind opera-inspired creations unveiled at FIRST SIGHT.
A palate-pleasing three-course formal dinner at 6:00 p.m., prepared by Wolfgang Puck Catering will precede the Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro at 8:00 p.m. (note the unusual curtain time). This spectacular season launch concludes with an on-site bash featuring popular DJ Lucy Wrubel spinning tunes at the FIRST NIGHT After Party, immediately following the performance.
“I’m truly delighted to be a part of the wonderful events that open the Dallas Opera’s 2014-2015 Season! It’s a pleasure to work with and represent an organization that not only brings magnificent opera to the stage, but also enriches our community by touching thousands with its education and outreach programs. Nick and I invite everyone to take part in these fabulous events not only to have fun and be entertained, but also to support this wonderful arts organization,” explains Ms. McBee.
“There is something for everyone to enjoy with the season kick-off events from the fashion show and luncheon, to the pre-opera dinner, the performance itself and the after party. If you haven’t yet experienced the fun and inspiration that comes from the extraordinary events that the Dallas Opera produces, this is a great season to get involved!” adds Mr. Even.
“The Dallas Opera is truly grateful for the support and involvement of Chairs Lynn McBee and Nick Even. It is only through the dedication and commitment of these generous philanthropists that organizations like ours can thrive to successfully serve our audiences and community. With the enthusiasm and wide range of experience these accomplished individuals bring to our season-opening events, we are prepared to be both dazzled and delighted!” says Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny.
Ms. McBee is a seventh-generation Texan and Great, Great, Great, Great-Granddaughter of Emily Austin, sister to Stephen F. Austin, the Father of Texas. She is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. She has been employed as a consultant with New England Biolabs, a privately held Biotech firm, for 22 years. Ms. McBee is best known for her leadership roles in the Dallas community. She has been on The Women’s Board for the Dallas Opera since 2012. Most recently she was named the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for the Education of Young Women. She served as the Chairman of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Opening Weekend Celebration, the Centennial Dinner Chairman for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Celebration and The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Tocqueville Society Chairman and 25th Anniversary Chairman, as well as, several other non-profit organizations.
Mr. Even is an attorney and partner with the firm of Haynes and Boone, LLP, where he has practiced for over fifteen years. He is Chair of the firm’s Securities and Class Action Litigation practice and Co-Chair of its Attorney Diversity Committee. He is a graduate of Cornell College and Harvard Law School and has been rated Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and Top Rated Lawyer in Securities Law by American Lawyer Media. Prior to moving to Dallas, Mr. Even was an attorney with the New York law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. His community leadership activities include currently serving as Vice-President of the Nominating Committee for the Dallas Opera and he has been on the Board of Directors since 2011. He is also a Trustee on the Dallas Opera Foundation Board and serves on the Board of the Arts Community Alliance (TACA). He served as Co-Chair of TACA’s Custom Auction Gala in 2012.
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FIRST SIGHT FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON is a stunning fashion show featuring styles by Italian designer Roberto Cavalli and custom-made gowns created by nationally renowned Dallas-based designers; six gowns—each reflecting the theme of one of the operas to be presented during the 2014-15 “Heights of Passion” season. The lavish event will be held at the Winspear Opera House and includes a delectable gourmet luncheon. The opera-themed gowns will also be presented on the red carpet on Opening Night. These one-of-a-kind designs will later be auctioned by international auction house Heritage Auctions as a fundraiser for the Dallas Opera, a non-profit arts organization.
The FIRST NIGHT Pre-Performance Dinner begins with a dramatic “Red Carpet” and champagne arrival featuring the six opera-inspired gowns. The elegant three-course, gourmet seated dinner will be held in a fabulous tent in Sammons Park in front of the Winspear Opera House. The ambiance will be enhanced by décor inspired by the operas of the season. Guests will then be escorted into the opera house for the Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance.
The FIRST NIGHT After Party begins just as the opera ends with popular D.J. Lucy Wrubel rocking the house while guests mix and mingle with the cast. Patrons will enjoy a fabulous breakfast bar, decadent desserts and featured opera-inspired cocktails.
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The Winspear Opera house is located at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX, 75201.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit: https://dallasopera.org/support/special-events/first-night/.
FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and Luncheon
Thursday, October 23, 2014; 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Chairs Lynn McBee and Nicholas Even
Fashion Show Producer and Chair—Rhonda Sargent Chambers
Luncheon Chair —Elizabeth Kimple
Winspear Opera House Lobby
Cost: Tables start at $10,000 each to individual tickets for $250.00
Featuring: Custom gowns, Fashion by Roberto Cavalli, gourmet luncheon
All proceeds benefit the Dallas Opera
FIRST NIGHT Pre-Performance Dinner
Friday, October 24, 2014; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Chairs Lynn McBee and Nicholas Even
Dinner Co-Chairs—Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger
Sammons Park (Adjacent to Winspear Opera House) Tent
Cost: Tables starting at $25,000. Individual tickets for $750.00 (includes After Party ticket)
(Opening night Opera tickets sold separately)
Featuring: Red carpet arrival and three-course gourmet dinner, also includes ticket to the After Party
All proceeds benefit the Dallas Opera
The Dallas Opera FIRST NIGHT After Party
Friday, October 24, 2014; 11:00 pm to 1:30 am
Chairs Lynn McBee and Nicholas Even
After Party Co-Chairs—Jenifer Strauss and Robert Weatherly
Sammons Park (Adjacent to Winspear Opera House) Tent
Individual tickets for $125.00
(Opening night Opera tickets sold separately)
Featuring: DJ Lucy Wrubel, Wolfgang Puck Sweet & Savory, Open Bar
EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7
VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG AND CHECK THE CALENDAR LISTINGS
Ticket Information for the 2014-2015 Dallas Opera Season
All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise described. Single Tickets range from $19 to $275 and Flex Subscriptions are on sale starting at $75. Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.
THE DALLAS OPERA 2014-2015 SEASON INFORMATION
The Dallas Opera celebrates its Fifty-EighthInternational Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired. The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk begins one hour prior to curtain, at most performances excluding FIRST NIGHT of the season.
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
October 24, 26(m), 29, November 1, 7 and 9(m), 2014
In a single crazy, romantic day, doors will be locked and unlocked, disguises donned, kisses exchanged and innermost hearts revealed—to some of the most memorable music Mozart ever composed.
An opera in four acts first performed in Vienna on May 1, 1786
Text by Lorenzo Da Ponte after the 1784 play La folle journée, ou Le mariage de Figaro by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais
Time: The late 18th century
Place: Aguasfrescas near Seville, Spain, the Almaviva’s country house
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Stage Director: Kevin Moriarty
Production Design: John Bury*
Lighting Design: Mark McCullough
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Choreography: Joel Ferrell*
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Mirco Palazzi (Figaro) , Beate Ritter** (Susanna), Joshua Hopkins (Count Almaviva), Nicole Car** (Countess Almaviva), Emily Fons (Cherubino), Diana Montague* (Marcellina), Kevin Langan (Doctor Bartolo), Doug Jones (Don Basilio), Angela Mannino (Barbarina), Adam Lau* (Antonio) and Jon Kolbet (Don Curzio).
Production Owned by Lyric Opera of Chicago
SALOME by Richard Strauss
October 30, November 2(m), 5, 8, 2014
Once in a great while, the term “over the top” doesn’t seem nearly high enough.
An opera in one act first performed in Dresden, Germany on December 9, 1905
Hedwig Lachmann’s German translation of Oscar Wilde’s French language play
Time: During the time of Jesus Christ
Place: King Herod’s palace on the Sea of Galilee
Conductor: Evan Rogister*
Stage Director: Francesca Zambello
Original Production: Francesca Zambello
Scenic Design: Peter J. Davison*
Costume Design: Anita Yavich
Lighting Design: Mark McCullough
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Choreography: Yael Levitin*
Starring: Deborah Voigt* (Salome), Robert Brubaker (Herod), Greer Grimsley* (Jokanaan), Susan Bickley* (Herodias), Scott Quinn (Narraboth), Heather Johnson* (Herodias’Page), Bradley Garvin (First Nazarene), Grigory Soloviov* (First Soldier), Jason Grant (Second Soldier), Joseph Hu (First Jew), Jay Gardner (Second Jew), John Robert Lindsey (Third Jew), Steven Haal (Fourth Jew), Patrick Guetti* (Fifth Jew), Tyler Simpson* (Second Nazarene), NaGuanda Nobles (A Slave) and Matthew Stump* (A Cappadocian).
Production Owned by Washington National Opera
A RARE DALLAS OPERA DOUBLE BILL:
LA WALLY by Alfredo Catalani
January 30, February 1(m), 4 and 7, 2015
The Climactic Final Act!
First performed in Milan, Italy on January 20, 1892
Text by Luigi Illica after Wilhelmine von Hillern’s story, Die Geyer-Wally
Time: Around the year 1800
Place: The Austrian Alps
Conductor: Anthony Barrese
Stage Director: Candace Evans
Scenic Design: TBD
Costume Design: TBD
Lighting Design: TBD
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Latonia Moore (Wally), Carl Tanner* (Giuseppe Hagenbach) and Jennifer Chung (Walter)
A Brand-New Dallas Opera Production!
With EVEREST by Joby Talbot
January 30, February 1(m), 4 and 7, 2015
A Dallas Opera World Premiere!
Text by Gene Scheer
Time: Modern Day
Place: In the Death Zone on Mount Everest
Conductor: Nicole Paiement
Stage Director: Leonard Foglia
Scenic Design: Robert Brill
Costume Design: TBD
Video Design: Elaine J. McCarthy
Lighting Design: TBD
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Andrew Bidlack (Rob Hall), Sasha Cooke (Jan Arnold), Kevin Burdette* (Beck Weathers) and Craig Verm* (Doug Hansen).
LA BOHÈME by Giacomo Puccini
March 13, 15(m), 18, 21, 27 and 29(m), 2015
A passionate and timeless masterpiece in a beloved period production
An opera in four acts first performed in Turin, Italy on February 1, 1896
Text by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica after Henry Murger’s novel Scènes de la vie de bohème
Time: mid-19th century
Place: The Latin Quarter of Paris, France
Conductor: Riccardo Frizza*
Stage Director: Peter Kazaras
Scenic Design: Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Costume Design: Peter J. Hall
Lighting Design: Thomas C. Hase
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Children’s Chorus Master: Melinda Cotton
Starring: Ana Maria Martinez (Mimi), Bryan Hymel (Rodolfo), Davinia Rodriguez* (Musetta), Jonathan Beyer (Marcello), Alexander Vinogradov* (Colline), Stephen LaBrie (Schaunard) and Stefan Szkafarowsky (Benoit).
One of the Dallas Opera’s Most Popular!
IOLANTA by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
April 10, 12(m), 15 and 18, 2015
A rarely performed Tchaikovsky gem, set in Medieval Provence!
First performed in St. Petersburg, Russia on December 18, 1892
Text by Modest Tchaikovsky based on the Danish play King Rene’s Daughter by Henrik Hertz
Time: The 15th century
Place: Provence, a mountainous region in Southern France
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Stage Director: Christian Räth
Scenic Design: TBD
Costume Design: TBD
Video Design: Elaine J. McCarthy
Lighting Design: Thomas C. Hase
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Ekaterina Scherbachenko* (Iolanta), Sergey Skorokhodov* (Count Vaudémont), Joanna Mongiardo* (Brigitta), Lauren McNeese (Laura), Tamara Mumford* (Marta), Andrei Bondarenko** (Robert, Duke of Burgandy), Mikhail Kolelishvili (Renè, King of Provence), Andrew Bidlack (Alméric), Vladislav Sulimsky** (Ibn-Hakia) and Jordan Bisch (Bertrand).
Another New Dallas Opera Production
* Dallas Opera Debut
** American Debut
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The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Texas Instruments Foundation, TACA, City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs; the Texas Commission on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News. A special thanks to the Elsa von Seggern Foundation for its continuing support.
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