FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 19, 2014
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart at 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org
THE DALLAS OPERA IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE COMPANY HAS ACHIEVED A SECOND CONSECUTIVE BALANCED OPERATING RESULT!
For the First Time in 15 Years, TDO Records Two Balanced Budgets in a Row—a Rare Display of Post-Recessionary Growth and Stability in the Arts
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Company Remains on Track to Present
Five or More Operas Each Season
DALLAS, TX, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 – Building on last year’s announcement that The Dallas Opera had achieved a balanced operating budget for the 2012-2013 Season, TDO is thrilled to announce that it has maintained that balanced operating result to end the 2013-2014 Season “in the black,” as well. This marks the first time in fifteen years that the company has achieved back-to-back balanced operating results! The company’s latest fiscal year ended on June 30th and the results were subsequently confirmed by an outside audit.
The achieved financial stability and growth have permitted TDO to confidently return to the company’s traditional five-production season in 2014-2015 and to continue to diversify program offerings to cover a wider range of repertoire, as well as exciting new commissions. The inspiring programming for the 2014-2015 Season, which includes the world premiere of Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer’s Everest, has already led to very strong subscription demand for the current year.
Noted Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny: “It is no secret that the company’s finances became precarious following our move in the fall of 2009 to the glittering new Winspear Opera House. Based on the outstanding leadership of three successive Board Chairs – Dr. Kern Wildenthal, Don Winspear, and T. Peter Townsend, and the tireless work of the Board VP, Development, Holly Mayer, the company has been able to dramatically strengthen its financial position, while enhancing its international reputation for artistic excellence.
“A historic $ 2.5 million gift in May 2014 by the recently elected TDO Board Chair, Steve Suellentrop, and his wife Betty (along with Hunt Consolidated, Inc.) in support of the company’s education and community outreach programs, has been a major factor in the company’s enhanced stability, as well as the gift from the Titus Family to support the fine art of art song through the Robert E. and Jean Ann Titus Art Song Recital Series, launched with an exemplary recital by world-renowned English tenor Ian Bostridge last January.”
In recent seasons, TDO donors made significant, multi-year gifts while many other donors increased their level of giving in recognition of the Dallas Opera’s commitment to the highest standards of artistic quality, strict financial discipline and a demonstrated ability to connect with the greater community—and adapt to the changing cultural marketplace.
After careful analysis, the Board and Dallas Opera’s administrative leadership took the necessary steps to put the company’s financial house in order and provide a foundation for continued artistic success, resulting in last year’s announcement of a balanced operating result for the 2012-13 Season—a full two years ahead of schedule.
The following season, The Dallas Opera made more than 90,000 contacts across North Texas through its mainstage opera performances, free public simulcasts, and community outreach and family performances, in addition to education programs for children, teens and adults. For every patron attending a Winspear Opera House performance, The Dallas Opera reached nearly two more patrons through its myriad education and community-based programs and initiatives.
Aided by unwavering donor and community support in 2013-14, the Dallas Opera produced outstanding mainstage performances of Carmen, Death and the Powers by Tod Machover (simulcast to audiences in nine cities from San Francisco to Stockholm, Sweden), Korngold’s Die tote Stadt, and The Barber of Seville; while demonstrating our ability to balance the books and plan for expanded future seasons under the guidance of The Dallas Opera Board of Directors and General Director and CEO Keith Cerny.
Mr. Cerny stands at the head of a leadership team that now includes acclaimed Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, Principal Guest Conductor Nicole Paiement, Director of Production John Toia, newly arrived Artistic Administrator Ian Derrer and additional members of TDO’s experienced Senior Staff.
The Immediate Past Chair T. Peter Townsend commented, “I am very pleased that The Dallas Opera is able to report, for the second year in a row, balanced financial results, while achieving artistic excellence and diverse programming for our patrons. Earlier, we announced a return to five fully staged productions this season, including a double bill that includes a Dallas Opera world premiere. These achievements are made possible through the efforts of our loyal opera family of ticket purchasers, donors and our artistic and operational staff.
“As I step down as chair, I want to express my deep appreciation to all those who have made this possible. I look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming performances in the magnificent Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House.”
Board Chair Steve Suellentrop stated, “I am thrilled that the company has made such significant financial progress, but there is further work to do. I invite the people of this community to join me in generously supporting this outstanding and nationally recognized opera company as it enters its 58th Season. In the meantime, my fellow Board members and I want to express our thanks to all those who have already made a commitment to support the programs, performances and highest aspirations of The Dallas Opera.”
Asked why TDO has been able to achieve this level of success, General Director and CEO Keith Cerny commented, “In addition to the outstanding leadership and generosity shown by the Board, the company has focused under my tenure on revitalizing our programming, launching an ambitious program of new commissions, and reaching out to the community in myriad ways – including the free public simulcasts. I have also made a number of key appointments on the artistic and operational side, including the hiring of Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, Principal Guest Conductor Nicole Paiement, and Artistic Administrator Ian Derrer – thereby giving us one of the strongest leadership teams in the business.”
In addition to the recitals, family performances and mainstage productions of the 2014-2015 “Heights of Passion” Season, the Dallas Opera is currently preparing for FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT (chaired by Lynn McBee and Nicholas Even) and our ninth free public simulcast (underwritten by the Sheila and Jody Grant Opera Discovery Program with support from AT&T Performing Arts Center and Chase), a live performance of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro scheduled to take place on Friday, October 24, 2014 at Klyde Warren Park (curtain time for the Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance is 8:00 p.m., with special events in the park due to kick-off at 6:30 p.m.).
This season will consist of beloved classics, opera rarities, a unique double bill and a world premiere (Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer’s Everest), in addition to several outstanding Family Concerts and Performances, thought-provoking panel discussions, the Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Performance Talks, “Dallas Opera Perspectives” and “Composing Conversations” with the most important creative minds at work in our field today. Furthermore—in the spring of 2015—a newly revamped and expanded Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, with an esteemed panel of judges chaired by
Dr. Brian Zeger, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Program and Artistic Director, Juilliard Vocal Arts.
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TEXAS INSTRUMENTS FOUNDATION, SEASON SPONSOR
FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “HEIGHTS OF PASSION” SEASON
The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by Texas Instruments and the Betty and Steve Suellentrop Educational Outreach Fund. TDO Family Performances are a part of the Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs.
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-Eighth International 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 Talks begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances excluding FIRST NIGHT of the season.
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
October 24 (The Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance), Oct. 26(m), 29, November 1, 7 and 9(m), 2014
In a single crazy, romantic day, doors will be locked and unlocked, disguised 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: Robert Brill
Costume Design: David C. Woolard
Lighting Design: Christopher Akerlind
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: David C. Woolard
Video Design: Elaine J. McCarthy
Lighting Design: Christopher Akerlind
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: Christian Räth
Costume Design: Susan Cox
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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