Our acclaimed music director adds to his already impressive international resume:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Jeffrey Vanderveen, Opus 3 Artists
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org jvanderveen@opus3artists.com
Contact: Barbora Dušková
duskova@pkf.cz
THE PKF – PRAGUE PHILHARMONIA
IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE APPOINTMENT OF
EMMANUEL VILLAUME
AS MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CHIEF CONDUCTOR
OF THE ESTEEMED CZECH ORCHESTRA
FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2015
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VILLAUME BECOMES THE FOURTH CHIEF CONDUCTOR
IN THE ORCHESTRA’S HISTORY
PRAGUE (Czech Republic), OCTOBER 15, 2014 —The PKF – Prague Philharmonia is pleased to announce the appointment of internationally renowned conductor Emmanuel Villaume to the position of Music Director and Chief Conductor of the PKF – Prague Philharmonia for a three-year term, effective September 1, 2015.
The announcement was made today in the Czech Republic by the orchestra’s Managing Director Radim Otépka, who praised Villaume’s musical leadership and creative vision together with his command of varying musical styles, bringing a perfect balance of orchestral colors and musical drama.
The agreement marks an important new chapter for the PKF – Prague Philharmonia and was signed just minutes after Maestro Villaume took his final bow at this year’s glittering Richard Tucker Music Foundation Gala Concert at New York’s Avery Fisher Hall. The signing took place amid the historic scores and manuscripts (including conductor Anton Seidl’s score from the premiere of Dvo?ák’s “New World” Symphony) that line the walls in the Maestro Room at the iconic venue.
“It is a wonderful joy and a privilege to be offered the artistic leadership of such a prestigious musical institution,” Emmanuel Villaume remarked. “I have always been inspired by the professionalism, commitment, and elegance of its musicians, who strike a perfect balance in performance between musical precision and passion.
“I am very much looking forward to building the relationship further, and sharing our love for music with every listener.”
The French-born conductor, who has successfully performed and recorded with the orchestra, has already been engaged to lead the PKF – Prague Philharmonia in two New Year’s Concerts at the Royal Opera House in Oman at the end of this year. Previous collaborations between Maestro Villaume and the orchestra include a Deutsche Grammophon recording with Anna Netrebko, a Warner Classics release with Bryan Hymel, seasonal concerts and several European tours. Through Maestro Villaume’s leadership and deep connections within an international musical community, the PKF – Prague Philharmonia has embarked upon an ambitious long-term plan for global touring, multiple recordings with leading artists, and special projects around the world to increase the orchestra’s profile and to expand its reputation as a world-class ensemble.
“Emmanuel’s appointment continues our tradition of musical excellence and strong leadership. It additionally opens new opportunities for the orchestra in Prague, as well as internationally,” explains PKF Chairman Martin Klimpl. “These are going to be very exciting years for all of us and we are so thrilled to have him as our next music director and chief conductor.”
The PKF – Prague Philharmonia, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, was founded by acclaimed Czech Maestro Jiri B?lohlávek. The centerpiece of PKF’s activities in Prague is its orchestral series at the Rudolfinum Concert Hall. The orchestra has also been the first Czech orchestra to successfully pioneer innovative educational activities after the “Velvet Revolution.” It has been described by The Washington Post as “fully competitive with world-renowned names such as the English Chamber Orchestra, Orpheus or the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.”
PKF – Prague Philharmonia has recorded more than 60 award-winning releases and is a regular, honored guest at music festivals and prestigious venues throughout the world. Accolades for this innovative and polished orchestra include the RAC Canada Gold Disc (2000), the Harmonie Award (2001) and the Diapason d’Or (2007).
The PKF has developed highly successful artistic collaborations with some of the world’s finest classical conductors, musicians and singers, including Anna Netrebko, Natalie Dessay, Rolando Villazón, Plácido Domingo, Elina Garan?a, Juan Diego Flórez, Sarah Chang, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Jefim Bronfman, Fazil Say, András Schiff and Mischa Maisky. The orchestra plays with “warmth, deep feeling, and swinging rhythmic energy” (All Music Guide).
The PKF – Prague Philharmonia has expanded its mission in recent years to include tremendously popular Family Performances, as well as the development of more outstanding young orchestral musicians. Applicants are admitted to the PKF – Prague Philharmonia Orchestral Academy through a highly competitive audition process, in order to receive generous scholarships, comprehensive training, invaluable “real world” experience onstage, and individual coaching and guidance from the orchestra’s concert masters and leading players, in the first project of its kind in the modern Czech Republic.
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Emmanuel Villaume was born in Strasbourg, France in 1964. His musical education commenced at the Strasbourg Conservatory and continued in Paris, where he received multiple degrees in literature, philosophy and musicology. Appointed Music Director of the Dallas Opera in 2013, Maestro Villaume also serves as Chief Conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra in Bratislava (since 2009). Previously, Villaume served as Chief Conductor of the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra (2008-2013) and as Music Director of the Spoleto Festival USA from 2001 until 2010.
Mr. Villaume’s recent engagements include critically acclaimed performances of Massenet’s Manon with London’s Royal Opera-Covent Garden, Meyerbeer’s rarity L’Africaine with Venice’s Teatro La Fenice, and a dazzling Cendrillon at The Juilliard School that prompted Martin Bernheimer of The Financial Times (U.K.) to observe: “Emmanuel Villaume, the seasoned specialist on the podium, conveyed equal parts savoir-faire and inspiration…and reinforced a delicate balance between lyrical restraint and dramatic exuberance.” He will return to New York’s Metropolitan Opera to conduct Manon next March.
His international obligations will bring Villaume to Dallas this season for productions of Le nozze di Figaro – and Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta, before conducting the opera rarity on tour with Anna Netrebko in Monaco, London, Copenhagen and Lucerne.
Mr. Villaume has both thrilled and charmed audiences around the world, from Covent Garden to the Met, inspiring The Chicago Sun-Times to praise his “almost unique ability to give undervalued works their musical due and move them up several notches in a listener’s estimation.”
Additional information about the Villaume appointment and high-resolution photographs may be found on his website at www.emmanuelvillaume.com, or by contacting PKF – Prague Philharmonia Director of PR and Marketing Barbora Dušková at duskova@pkf.cz.
To arrange an interview with Emmanuel Villaume, contact Jeffrey Vanderveen at Opus 3 Artists at jvanderveen@opus3artists.com or +1 212.584.7532.
BIOGRAPHY:
EMMANUEL VILLAUME
Emmanuel Villaume is in his second season as music director of the Dallas Opera and will conduct Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta for the American company this season. Maestro Villaume is a frequent guest conductor at the world’s leading opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, the Washington National Opera, Santa Fe Opera, London’s Royal Opera, the Paris Opera, Monte Carlo Opera, Venice’s La Fenice, the Munich Staatsoper, Berlin’s Deutsche Oper, the Hamburg Staatsoper, Madrid’s Teatro Real, and Buenos Aires’ Teatro Colon. He has led the Montreal Symphony in Montreal and at Carnegie Hall, the Chicago Symphony, the Boston Symphony, the orchestras of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, St. Louis, Detroit, Minnesota, Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Beethovenhalle Orchestra of Bonn, and the China National Opera Orchestra for the 2008 Olympic Games. He is currently Chief Conductor of the National Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. He served as the Spoleto Festival USA’s Music Director for Opera and Orchestra from 2001 to 2010. Maestro Villaume has recorded for Deutsche Grammophon, Decca and EMI.
ABOUT THE PKF – PRAGUE PHILHARMONIA
The PKF – Prague Philharmonia was founded in 1994 at the initiative of the world-famous conductor Ji?í B?lohlávek. Soon after its founding, the PKF – Prague Philharmonia joined the ranks of the most respected Czech orchestras and established great renown in Europe and elsewhere in the world.
The PKF – Prague Philharmonia is beloved for its characteristic sound, created in large part by the key focus of its repertoire: Viennese Classicism, pieces by Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. The repertoire also includes Romantic compositions, as well as modern and contemporary music, performed within a Special Concert series unique among the selections of Czech orchestras.
The ensemble’s founder, the globally celebrated Czech conductor Ji?í B?lohlávek, was at its helm until 2005, when he was named the orchestra’s conductor Laureate. Renowned Swiss flutist and conductor, Kaspar Zehnder assumed the role of chief conductor until 2008, when Jakub Hr?ša was appointed chief conductor and music director.
The PKF – Prague Philharmonia is a regular guest at international music festivals, frequently performs at prestigious world concert halls and is a regular partner of world-famous conductors and soloists. To date the orchestra has recorded more than sixty CDs for prominent Czech and foreign labels and some of its albums have received prestigious accolades.
When it comes to music education, the PKF – Prague Philharmonia nurtures the talent of young musicians through its Orchestral Academy project.
The PKF – Prague Philharmonia is supported by by the City of Prague and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.
More information at www.praguephilharmonia.com.
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Subscriptions for the mainstage productions of the Dallas Opera’s “HEIGHTS OF PASSION” Season are on sale now, starting at just $75, through the Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or online at www.dallasopera.org. Student Rush best-available tickets can be purchased at the lobby box office for $25 or $50 (one per valid Student I.D.) ninety minutes prior to each performance. Single tickets start at just $19.
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2014-2015 SEASON SPONSOR
FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “HEIGHTS OF PASSION” SEASON
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 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 (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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