“AND THE WINNERS ARE…”
Top Honors Announced This Evening
In the 30th Annual
Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition
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Outstanding Young Artists Awarded
$18,500 in Cash Prizes
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Countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen
Takes Top Prize and $10,000 Cash!
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Second Prize ($5,000) Goes to Canadian Tenor Josh Lovell
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Third Prize ($2,500) Awarded to Mexican Tenor Mario Rojas
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The “People’s Choice Award” ($1,000) Determined by Audience Ballot Goes to Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen
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Springs Gala Co-Chairs, Susan Geyer and Lynn Mock
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Phyllis and Tom McCasland Honored for Their Generous Support of The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild
DALLAS, APRIL 28, 2018 – An elite group of twenty of the most talented young opera singers in the country competed this weekend for prestige and cash prizes in the 30th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition. At the conclusion of this evening’s exciting Finals Round, the thrilling centerpiece of The Dallas Opera’s annual Springs Gala co-chaired by Susan Geyer and Lynn Mock, the winners were announced from the stage of the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas:
- The $10,000 Bessylee Penland First Prize, presented by 2018 Vocal Competition Co-Chairs Patsy and Bob Brooks, was awarded to American countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen
- The $5,000 Second Prize, presented by 2018 Dallas Opera Guild Co-Presidents Jan and James Clay, went to Canadian tenor Josh Lovell
- The Third Prize of $2,500, was presented by this year’s special honorees, Phyllis and Tom McCasland, to Mexican tenor Mario Rojas
- The $1,000 “People’s Choice Award,” presented by Katherine and Michael Phillips, was awarded to countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen
This year, the twenty semi-finalists were selected from a group of 310 applicants from 35 states (residents of the U.S. territories are eligible to apply for the prestigious competition, as well) by a panel of preliminary judges that included American pianist and educator Dr. Brian Zeger of the Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts at The Juilliard School, and David Lomeli, Casting and Hart Institute for Women Conductors Manager.
“We are very proud to collaborate with our Guild on this extraordinary showcase,” says Kern Wildenthal, The Dallas Opera’s Interim General Director and CEO. “This is a great opportunity for the entire community to experience opera’s exciting ‘next wave,’ and to show their enthusiastic support for the dreams of these outstanding young artists—including those destined to dazzle us with their gifts for many years to come.”
The Semi-Finals Round took place yesterday, Friday, April 27th as twenty young artists vied for the coveted position of finalist. The six finalists competed this evening, accompanied by the Dallas Opera Orchestra under the baton of the internationally renowned Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director, Emmanuel Villaume.
After lengthy deliberations from the judges’ panel, six singers were selected to move into today’s Finals Round: tenor Taylor Comstock, bass Patrick Guetti, tenor Josh Lovell, mezzo-soprano Lindsay Metzger, countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, and tenor Mario Rojas.
Dallas Opera Guild Co-Presidents Jan and James Clay explain, “Our exciting annual competition is the most high-profile facet of The Dallas Opera Guild’s year-long commitment to support exceptionally talented young opera artists. The future of opera, not only in Texas, but throughout the world, is dependent on the discovery and development of bright new talent. The Guild takes that part of our mission very seriously, and we are delighted at the number of people who turned out tonight to show their support for these fine young singers!”
Dallas Opera Guild 2018 Vocal Competition Chairs Patsy and Bob Brooks wrote: “The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition gives singers pursuing a professional opera career the opportunity to showcase their talents and compete with other singers for financial rewards. Best of all is the chance to perform before a panel of distinguished judges celebrated throughout the opera world.”
The Finals Round was preceded by a seated gala dinner prepared by Wolfgang Puck Catering, as well as a special dinner for 100 high school and university students from Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, Southern Methodist University, Uplift Williams Preparatory, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Dallas, and Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center who attended the vocal competition finals this year.
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WINNERS BIOS
First Prize Winner and “People’s Choice Award”- ARYEH NUSSBAUM COHEN:
American countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen has been acclaimed as a “young star” and “complete artist” by The New York Times. In 2017, he was named a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, First Prize Winner of the Houston Grand Opera Eleanor McCollum Competition, and a Sara Tucker Study Grant recipient from the Richard Tucker Music Foundation. This season, he is a member of the Houston Grand Opera Studio (the first countertenor in the studio’s history) and next season, he joins San Francisco Opera as an Adler Fellow. This summer, his first commercial recording will be released: the world premiere recording of Kenneth Fuchs’ “Poems of Life” with the London Symphony Orchestra.
During this evening’s Finals Round, Mr. Cohen performed “Inumano fratel…Stille amare” from Handel’s Tolomeo and “Dawn, still darkness” (Refugee’s Aria) from Jonathan Dove’s Flight.
Second Prize Winner JOSH LOVELL:
Canadian tenor Josh Lovell, a first-year member of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago, was a 2017 semi-finalist at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Mr. Lovell made his Lyric Opera of Chicago mainstage debut this season as The Emperor Altoum in Puccini’s Turandot. Other assignments included covers of the title role in Orphée et Eurydice, as well as Bruno and Arturo in I Puritani. Past operatic work includes Ferrando in Così fan tutte, Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi. An artist with the 2016 Merola Opera Program at San Francisco Opera, Mr. Lovell performed scenes from The Rake’s Progress and Le Comte Ory.
In today’s Finals Round, Josh Lovell performed “Languir per una bella” from Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri and “Ah! Mes amis, quel jour de fête” from Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment.
Third Prize Winner MARIO ROJAS:
Mexican tenor Mario Rojas is a first-year member of the Ryan Opera Center in Chicago. He has performed Rodolfo in La bohème at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, and elsewhere in Mexico, in addition to making his debut as Borsa in Rigoletto this season at Lyric Opera. He is an alumnus of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he sang Don José in La Tragédie de Carmen and Nemorino in L’Elisir d’Amore. The tenor is one of the youngest singers ever to receive the Plácido Domingo Scholarship from SIVAM, Mexico’s most prominent young artist program.
In this evening’s Finals Round, Mr. Rojas performed “Che gelida manina” from La bohème by Giacomo Puccini and “Kuda, kuda” (Lenski’s Aria) from Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.
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“This competition is one of the most rewarding aspects of our work at The Dallas Opera,” says Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume. “Although it doesn’t seem possible, the caliber of the singers improves every year, and inspires us to continue to support and develop this excellent and much-needed program.”
THE 2018 FINALISTS
FOR THE DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION
- Taylor Comstock, tenor, two-time regional finalist, MONCA
- Patrick Guetti, bass, 2014 Grand Prize Winner MONCA, now at Ryan Center
- Josh Lovell, tenor, Ryan Opera Center, formerly at Merola Opera Program
- Lindsay Metzger, mezzo-soprano, Ryan Opera Center
- Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, countertenor, Houston Grand Opera Studio
- Mario Rojas, tenor, Ryan Opera Center, formerly San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Soprano Virginie Verrez, currently starring as Zerlina in The Dallas Opera’s acclaimed production of DON GIOVANNI, served as Mistress of Ceremonies with co-hosts Patsy and Bob Brooks.
Judges for the 2018 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition:
Brian Zeger, Chair
Artistic Director of the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts
The Juilliard School
Emmanuel Villaume
The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director, The Dallas Opera
Peter Czornyj
Vice President of Artistic Operations, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Kathleen Kelly
Associate Professor of Music, University of Michigan
Former Director of Music Studies, Vienna State Opera
Alain Lanceron
President of Warner Classics
Andreas Melinat
Vice President Artistic Planning, Lyric Opera of Chicago
Pål Moe
Casting Director, Bavarian State Opera;
Casting Consultant, Glyndebourne Festival and Opéra de Lille
Audience members were also able to participate in the decision making by casting a ballot for their favorite singer for the “People’s Choice” award, now is its 18th year.
SPRINGS GALA SPONSORS:
SOPRANO LEVEL SPONSORS
LYNN & PRESLEY MOCK
MEZZO STUDENT SPONSORS
SCOTT CHASE & DEBRA WITTER
CINDY & CHARLIE FELD
SUSAN & MARK GEYER
HAYNES & BOONE
HOLLY & TOM MAYER
LYNN & PRESLEY MOCK
KATHERINE & MICHAEL PHILLIPS
BETTY & STEVE SUELLENTROP
ELLEN & DON WINSPEAR
TENOR LEVEL SPONSORS
STEPHEN BAKER & ALBERTO MORENO
PATTI & JOHN CODY
LISA COOLEY
SUSAN FLEMING
CONNIE KLEMOW
MELINDA & MARK KNOWLES
DIANNE & MARK LaROE
PHYLLIS & TOM McCASLAND
NANCY A. NASHER & DAVID J. HAEMISEGGER
JON PETTEE
ENIKA & RICHARD SCHULZE
CAROLE & NORM SILVERMAN
JOANNA & PETER TOWNSEND
INGE & SAM VASTOLA
MARNIE & KERN WILDENTHAL
MEGAN & JOEY WILKINSON
BARITONE LEVEL SPONSORS
CAROLE BRADEN
DEBORAH HANKINSON
EDUCATION PROGRAM SPONSORS
CINDY & CHARLIE FELD
KATHERINE & MICHAEL PHILLIPS
BETTY & STEVE SUELLENTROP
SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL FOUNDATION
& KATHLEEN GIBSON
CONTRIBUTORS TO THE 2018 GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION INCLUDE:
KATHERINE & MICHAEL PHILLIPS
ENIKA & RICHARD SCHULZE
ELAINE & BILL BLAYLOCK
KETTY FITZGERALD
JAN & JAMES CLAY
THE PUCCINI SOCIETY OF DALLAS
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PATSY & BOB BROOKS
SANDI & DR. FRED CIAROCHI
SUSAN & BOB CRONIN
SUSAN & DR. MARK GEYER
MARILYN & WARD HALLA
NICOLE LeBLANC & MON VOYAGE, LLC
LYNN & PRESLEY MOCK
NEIL DOUGLAS OXFORD
- & MRS. R.V. REGE
SANDRA & BILL SANDERSON
GREG SWALWELL & TERRY CONNOR
INGE & SAM VASTOLA
UNDERWRITERS OF THE 2018 COMPETITION INCLUDE:
GREG SWALWELL & TERRY CONNOR
KATHERINE & MICHAEL PHILLIPS
TEKNION DATA SOLUTIONS
For additional information about the 30th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition or any upcoming Dallas Opera Guild programs and special events, please contact The Dallas Opera Guild at 214-443-1040.
ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
Founded in 1957, The Dallas Opera is an internationally-recognized innovator dedicated to the overall advancement of the operatic art form and the support of established and emerging artists, as well as the education and development of new opera audiences in North Texas—and beyond. These goals are achieved by commissioning and producing world-class opera; through ground-breaking institutes, national competitions and topical programs; and by presenting opera in both traditional and non-traditional formats and venues in order to attract patrons of every age, background, educational level, and ethnicity—while engaging with more than 87,000 people in our community each year. TDO is equally committed to the task of responsible stewardship and is managed with efficiency and accountability, to the highest possible standards.
2017-2018 SEASON SPONSOR
The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family
EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
IS AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7. VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG
FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS
Contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and PR at suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Elsa von Seggern Foundation; Texas Instruments Foundation; the 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.
The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by
Texas Instruments, Lockheed Martin, and the Betty and Steve Suellentrop
Educational Outreach Fund.
TDO Family Performances are a part of the
Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs
TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE 2017-2018 DALLAS OPERA SEASON
All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise indicated. Single Tickets range from $19 to $289. Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.
THE DALLAS OPERA 2017-2018 SPRING SEASON MAINSTAGE INFORMATION
The Dallas Opera celebrates its Sixty-First 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. With the exception of FIRST NIGHT, The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances.
THE RING OF POLYKRATES & VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR
A sweeping Viennese concerto paired with a charming domestic comedy!
By Erich Wolfgang Korngold
February 9, 11 (m), 14 and 17, 2018
Violin Soloist (KORNGOLD CONCERTO): Augustin Dumay*
The Dallas Opera Orchestra conducted by Emmanuel Villaume
THE RING OF POLYKRATES
Sumptuous Viennese music laced with orchestral color and wit!
Libretto by Leo Feld
Time: Early 20th century
Place: Vienna, Austria
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Director: Peter Kazaras
Set Designer: Donald Eastman*
Costume Designer: Tommy Bourgeois
Lighting Designer: Krista Billings
Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
Starring: Paul Groves* (Wilhelm Arndt), Laura Wilde* (Laura), Brenton Ryan (Florian Döbllinger), Susannah Biller* (Lieschen), and Craig Colclough* (Peter Vogel).
One of the most rarely performed opera gems! In its third professional U.S. production!
SUNKEN GARDEN by Michel van der Aa
March 9, 11 (m), 14 and 17, 2018
A phenomenal visual, musical and emotional adventure – live and in 3-D!
Libretto by David Mitchell
Time: Present Day
Place: Unknown
Conductor: Nicole Paiement
Director: Michel van der Aa*
Set Designer: Theun Mosk**
Costume Designer: Astrid Schulz**
Lighting Designer: Theun Mosk**
Sound Designer: Tom Gelissen*
Starring: Roderick Williams* (Toby Kramer), Katherine Manley* (Zenna Briggs), and Miah Persson* (Iris Marinus).
Combining live actors and 2-D and 3-D film, to take you where opera has never gone before!
DON GIOVANNI by W.A. Mozart
April 13, 15 (m), 18, 21, 27 and 29 (m), 2018
Mozart’s operatic masterpiece brought vividly to life under the baton of Music Director Emmanuel Villaume!
Time: 20th century
Place: Seville, Spain and the surrounding countryside
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Director: Robert Falls*
Set Designer: Walt Spangler*
Costume Designer: Ana Kuzmanic*
Original Lighting Designer: Duane Schuler
Lighting Designer: Chris Maravich
Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Craig Verm (Don Giovanni), Laura Claycomb (Donna Anna), David Portillo* (Don Ottavio), Katie Van Kooten* (Donna Elvira), Kyle Ketelsen* (Leporello), Virginie Verrez* (Zerlina), André Courville* (Masetto), and Morris Robinson (The Commendatore).
An evocative and thrilling production from Lyric Opera of Chicago!
* Dallas Opera Debut
** American Debut