The Dallas Opera is Proud to Announce
THE APPOINTMENT OF CO-CHAIRS ELLEN AND DON WINSPEAR
FOR FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT
EXCITING KICK-OFF EVENTS FOR TDO’S 2015-2016 SEASON!
“Seeking the Human Element”
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DALLAS, JUNE 2, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is thrilled to announce the Co-Chairs for the eagerly anticipated 2015-2016 FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT events: Ellen and Don Winspear; Honorary Co-Chairs are Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings.
The Dallas Opera’s 2015-2016 Season “Seeking the Human Element” kicks off on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with the exhilarating FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and Luncheon, NorthPark Center presenting sponsor. This fantastic event features five custom styles inspired by the season’s operas, created by internationally renowned designers from Dallas, as well as fashions by British designer Mulberry.
The excitement continues with the elegant events of FIRST NIGHT, presenting sponsor Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management. The Pre-Performance Dinner will be held on Friday, October 30, 2015 in Sammons Park in front of the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Patrons will enjoy celebrity treatment with a red-carpet arrival that begins at 5:30 p.m. which also features models showing the opera-inspired designs revealed at FIRST SIGHT.
A delectable, three-course gourmet dinner prepared by Wolfgang Puck Catering begins at 6:00 p.m. in a lovely, adorned party
tent on the lawn. It precedes the much awaited Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance of the world premiere of Great Scott by Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally at 8:00 p.m. (note the unusual curtain time). The fun and festivities continue at the FIRST NIGHT After Party immediately following the performance, with popular DJ Lucy Wrubel rockin’ the tunes to get patrons groovin’ on the dance floor.
“We are thrilled to Co-Chair FIRST SIGHT and FIRST NIGHT and to represent such a stellar organization. The Dallas Opera continues to bring exceptional arts and entertainment to North Texas and the world premiere of Great Scott is a perfect production to kick-off a spectacular season! We invite everyone to take part in these fantastic events and share in the magnificence that this company brings to our community and the world stage!” said Mrs. Winspear.
“Ellen and I invite everyone to our season opening, regardless of whether you are a first-time or long-time lover of opera! This company is creating magic, not just with its phenomenal opera productions, but with its outreach efforts like the simulcasts, family and education programs that reach thousands. Come join in all the festivities and experience the excitement while supporting this great arts organization!” added Mr. Winspear.
“We couldn’t be more delighted to have Ellen and Don Winspear at the helm of FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT!” said Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny. “Their passion for our organization and willingness to share their extraordinary talents will ensure an outstanding opening for our bold upcoming season! The generosity of the Winspear family has contributed greatly to The Dallas Opera’s ongoing growth and viability and we are truly grateful for their leadership!”
Ellen Winspear is a native of Dallas who graduated from the Hockaday School. Following her undergraduate degree at Texas Christian University, she completed her graduate education at Southern Methodist University as a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She has many interests ranging from the arts and animals to education. She either has served or currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Dallas Opera, the Dallas Zoo, the Annette Simmons School of Education at SMU and the Dallas Film Society. She has been married to Don for nearly 35 years and they have two sons. Their older son serves in the United States Army at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where he lives with his wife. The younger graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and is a maritime engineer in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Donald Winspear is president of Crescent Research, Inc., a full service market research company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Crescent conducts strategic marketing research for a variety of different companies across multiple industry sectors, including many Fortune 100 companies. He is currently on the Board of The Dallas Opera having previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He also serves on TDO’s Executive Committee and Finance Committee. Mr. Winspear has also served as a committee member on the Board of Directors of The Dallas Opera Foundation. He has served on the Board of Directors for the AT&T Performing Arts Center and currently serves on both the Executive Committee and Programming Committee. Mr. Winspear has lectured at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at area universities on the topics of marketing research and entrepreneurialism.
In addition to his role at Crescent Research, he is active with the Boy Scouts of America and a former Scoutmaster of Troop 577. Mr. Winspear has also held a number of leadership roles with his church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Dallas, including the Board of Directors of the church foundation.
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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/.
QUICK FACTS
FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and Luncheon
NorthPark Center Presenting Sponsor
Thursday, October 29, 2015; 11:00 am to 1:30 pm
Co-Chairs – Ellen and Don Winspear
Honorary Chairs – Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings
Fashion Show Producer and Chair – Rhonda Sargent Chambers
Luncheon Chair – Mrs. Micki Rawlings
Event Architect – Jeffrey Horn
Event Designer – Larry Leathers
Winspear Opera House Lobby
Cost: Tables start at $10,000. Individual tickets for $250.00
Featuring: Fashion Show by Mulberry Boutique at NorthPark Center; Unveiling of Opera-Inspired Designs
All proceeds benefit the Dallas Opera
FIRST NIGHT – Presenting Sponsor Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management
Pre-Performance Dinner
Friday, October 30, 2015; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Co-Chairs – Ellen and Don Winspear
Honorary Chairs – Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings
Dinner Chairs Anne and Steven Stodghill
Sammons Park in front of the Winspear Opera House – Tent
Cost: Tables starting at $25,000. Individual tickets for $1,000.00 (All Dinner tickets include After Party ticket)
(Opening night Opera performance tickets sold separately)
Featuring: Three-course gourmet dinner and “red carpet” arrival (Dessert at the After Party)
Black Tie
All proceeds benefit The Dallas Opera
After Party
Friday, October 30, 2015; 11:00 pm to 1:30 am
Co-Chairs – Ellen and Don Winspear
Honorary Chairs – Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings
Sammons Park in front of the Winspear Opera House – Tent
Featuring: DJ Lucy Wrubel, Wolfgang Puck Sweet & Savory, Open Bar
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TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSOR FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “SEEKING THE HUMAN ELEMENT” SEASON
Ticket Information for the 2015-2016 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 will be available July 15. Full and Flex Subscriptions are on sale now starting at $75. Family performance tickets (available June 1) 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 2015-2016 FALL SEASON INFORMATION
The Dallas Opera celebrates its Fifty-Ninth 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 Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances excluding FIRST NIGHT of the season.
GREAT SCOTT by Jake Heggie
October 30, November 1(m), 4, 7 & 15(m), 2015
A Thrilling Dallas Opera World Premiere!
Libretto by Terrence McNally*
Time: Present Day
Place: A Major American City
Conductor: Patrick Summers
Stage Director: Jack O’Brien*
Production Design: Bob Crowley
Lighting Design: Brian MacDevitt*
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Joyce DiDonato* (Arden Scott), Ailyn Pérez (Tatyana Bakst), Frederica von Stade (Mrs. Edward “Winnie” Flato), Nathan Gunn (Sid Taylor), Anthony Roth Costanzo* (Roane Heckle), Kevin Burdette (Eric Gold), Michael Mayes* (Wendell Swan).
A Brand-New Dallas Opera Production!
TOSCA by Giacomo Puccini
November 6, 8(m), 11, 14, 20 & 22(m), 2015
A passionate and timeless masterpiece in a beloved period production
An opera in three acts first performed in Rome, Italy on January 14, 1900
Text by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa after Victorien Sardou’s 1887 French-language play, La Tosca
Time: Early 19th century
Place: Locations in and around the City of Rome
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Stage Director: Ellen Douglas Schlaefer*
Production Design: Ulisse Santicchi
Lighting Design: Marie Barrett
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Children’s Chorus Master: TBA
Starring: Emily Magee (Floria Tosca), Giancarlo Monsalve* (Mario Cavaradossi), Raymond Aceto (Baron Scarpia), William Ferguson (Spoletta), Dale Travis* (A Sacristan) and Ryan Kuster (Angelotti).
One of The Dallas Opera’s Most Popular!
BECOMING SANTA CLAUS by Mark Adamo
December 4, 6(m), 9 & 12, 2015
An Eagerly Awaited Dallas Opera World Premiere!
Libretto by the composer, Mark Adamo.
Time: Where time divides into “before” and “after”
Place: An Elven kingdom in the far, far north
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Stage Director: Paul Curran
Production Design: Gary McCann*
Video Design: Elaine J. McCarthy
Lighting Design: Paul Hackenmueller*
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Jennifer Rivera* (Queen Sophine), Juan José de León (Prince Claus), Matt Boehler* (Donkey)
Another New Dallas Opera Production
* Dallas Opera Debut
** American Debut