The Dallas Opera is co-producing a new opera by composer John Adams and librettist/director Peter Sellars called Girls of the Golden West. The companies that are co-commissioning the work are San Francisco Opera, Dutch National Opera (Amsterdam) and Teatro La Fenice (Venice). The opera will premiere first in San Francisco in November 2017 as part of its 2017-2018 season. The Dallas Opera plans to present the opera in its 2020-2021 season.
Please click for the full story from Opera News.
Congratulations to Board Chair-Elect Holly Mayer on winning the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals “Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser” Honor for its 2016 National Philanthropy Day!
According to Gae Whitener, Director of Development for The Dallas Opera, the company and our community is extremely privileged to have her support and dedication. “I have the good fortune of working closely with Holly Mayer and am delighted with this recognition for her tireless work to make Dallas a better place to live. Whether it’s quality education, the wonder of nature, or the transformational power of music, Holly pursues her passions with boundless energy and enthusiasm. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient for this award,” she said.
All the 2016 honorees will be recognized at the annual luncheon on Friday, November 18, 2016 presented by the Dallas Chapter. Please visit its website www.afpdallas.org, call 972-233-9107 ext. 204 or email afpchapteroffice@afpdallas.org for updates on this wonderful event!
Congratulations Holly and thank you!!!
DEDICATED PHILANTHROPISTS ELLEN AND DON WINSPEAR
APPOINTED AS CHAIRS FOR FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT
~~~~
DALLAS, TX, JUNE 3, 2016 – The Dallas Opera is proud to announce that Ellen and Don Winspear have accepted the appointments as Chairs of FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT to head up the dazzling 60th Season kick-off celebrations. Honorary Chairs are Joyce and Harvey Mitchell.
The Dallas Opera’s 2016-2017 Season begins with the captivating FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and Luncheon, NorthPark Center presenting sponsor, on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. In an outstanding pairing of two world-class companies, The Dallas Opera will present fashions by Italian luxury brand Versace.
Red carpet glamour welcomes patrons to FIRST NIGHT, Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management presenting sponsor. Sammons Park in front of the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House is the setting for the splendid Pre-Performance Dinner, Friday, October 28, 2016 beginning at 5:30 p.m with a reception. The event will also showcase spectacular opera costumes from previous productions.
The black-tie fete continues with a scrumptious dinner by Wolfgang Puck Catering which begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Sammons Park tent. It precedes the Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin at 8:00 p.m. (note the curtain time). Immediately following the performance, opera-goers will flow into the FIRST NIGHT After Party where The Hunter Sullivan Band will provide the party tunes for patrons, and Puck will provide a variety of themed palate pleasers. 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/first-night/.
“We are honored to chair the opening events for The Dallas Opera’s 60th Season! Our hope is that we have created a weekend of festivities that people will cherish and remember,” said Mrs. Winspear.
“The 60th Season of The Dallas Opera is a remarkable milestone. Most exciting is that the company is setting industry standards for its innovation, production quality and community engagement. The season opening will celebrate all that we have accomplished so far with anticipation of the many magnificent productions to come,” added Mr. Winspear.
“We are so grateful for the continued leadership and enthusiasm of Ellen and Don Winspear and are thrilled that they are heading up the exciting events for our 60th Season kick-off!” said Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny. “We know our patrons will love the festivities they have planned and we invite opera newcomers and aficionados alike to join us as we celebrate decades of success of The Dallas Opera. Our organization depends on the ongoing support of wonderful philanthropists such as Ellen and Don, and we salute their dedication and generosity.”
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, and the Annette Simmons School of Education at SMU. She has been married to Don for nearly 35 years and they have two sons. The younger son is a newlywed who graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and is a maritime engineer in Lafayette, Louisiana. Their older son serves in the United States Army at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where he lives with his wife.
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.
~~~~
QUICK FACTS
2016-2017 FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT
PRESENTED BY THE DALLAS OPERA
FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and Luncheon
NorthPark Center Presenting Sponsor
Thursday, October 27, 2016
11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Kick-Off Event for 60 Year Celebration
Chairs: Ellen and Don Winspear
Honorary Chairs: Joyce and Harvey Mitchell
Luncheon Chairs: Tiffany Divis, Kara Goss, Rhonda Marcus
Featuring: Fashions by Italian Luxury Brand Versace; Distinctive Opera Costumes
Catering: Wolfgang Puck
Location: Winspear Opera House
Tickets: Start at $300
www.dallasopera.org/firstsight
FIRST NIGHT
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management Presenting Sponsor
Pre-Performance Dinner and After Party
Friday, October 28, 2016
5:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Celebrating the 60th Year of The Dallas Opera
Chairs: Ellen and Don Winspear
Honorary Chairs: Joyce and Harvey Mitchell
First Night Dinner Chairs: Matrice Ellis-Kirk and Ambassador Ron Kirk
Featuring: Red carpet glamour; gourmet black tie dinner prior to the Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance
Location: Sammons Park in Front of the Winspear Opera House – Tent
Catering: Wolfgang Puck
Tickets start at $1000 (After Party ticket included)
www.dallasopera.org/firstnight
AFTER PARTY
Friday, October 28, 2016
11:00 pm to 1:30 am
Chairs: Ellen and Don Winspear
Honorary Chairs: Joyce and Harvey Mitchell
Location: Sammons Park in Front of the Winspear Opera House – Tent
Featuring: The Hunter Sullivan Band
Catering: Wolfgang Puck Sweet & Savory, Open Bar
Tickets: Included with First Night Ticket Purchase
~~~~
The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by
Texas Instruments, the Betty and Steve Suellentrop
Educational Outreach Fund, and Lockheed Martin.
TDO Family Performances are a part of the
Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs
2016-2017 DALLAS OPERA SEASON
EUGENE ONEGIN
By Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky
October 28, 30(m), November 2, 5, 2016
MOBY-DICK
By Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer
November 4, 6(m), 9, 12, 18, 20(m), 2016
MADAME BUTTERFLY
By Giacomo Puccini
March 10, 12(m), 15, 18, 24, 26(m), 2017
THE TURN OF THE SCREW
By Benjamin Britten
March 17, 19(m), 22, 25, 2017
NORMA
By Vincenzo Bellini
April 21, 23(m), 26, 29, May 7(m), 2017
~~~~
Season subscriptions are on sale and prices start at $95 for all five opera productions. The benefits of becoming a Dallas Opera subscriber include substantial savings off single ticket prices, priority seating, lost ticket replacement, ticket exchanges and invitations to special events. For more information, please contact the friendly staff in The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214-443-1000 or visit us online at www.dallasopera.org.
The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House is located in the heart of the Arts District at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201.
______________________________________________________________________________
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.
###
Tune in to KERA-TV and KERA radio for a fascinating interview with our General Director and CEO Keith Cerny by host and veteran journalist Lee Cullum. “CEO” features the best corporate and non-profit leaders in North Texas and beyond.
According to KERA’s website, the show explores what it takes to make a company successful in today’s global marketplace, covering topics like leadership style and ethics.
Please click here for the online video! 
Mr. Cerny’s “CEO”
interview will air on KERA-TV:
Friday, June 3, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, June 13, 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 26, 11:30 a.m.
It will also air on KERA Radio 90.1 FM:
Sunday, June 5, 5:00 p.m.
Thanks to Lee Cullum and KERA for this fabulous segment!
THE DALLAS OPERA IS SEEKING TALENTED MEN FOR
AUXILIARY MALE CHORUS FOR MOBY-DICK!
AUDITION DATE/TIME:
Sunday, June 5, 2016, 2:00-5:00 p.m.
DALLAS, TX, May 12, 2016 – The Dallas Opera is pleased to invite talented local male singers to audition for the company’s Auxiliary Male Chorus for the production of Moby-Dick by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer. This is an excellent opportunity to perform onstage in a paid, professional ensemble, with world-class singers in the magnificent Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center!
The Dallas Opera is seeking men in all voice categories. Back by popular demand, Moby-Dick has been met with thunderous applause around the world after its successful Dallas Opera premiere in 2010. Based on the Herman Melville epic tale of Captain Ahab’s obsession with the great white whale, Moby-Dick features an incredible cast, stage direction by Leonard Foglia and will be conducted by internationally acclaimed Emmanuel Villaume, TDO’s Music Director.
There are six performances of Moby-Dick scheduled for November 4, 6 (matinee), 9, 12, 18, 20 (matinee). Music rehearsals will begin in early August and staging rehearsals in early October. There are occasional weekend-day rehearsals and matinee performances; however, rehearsals are generally conducted in the evening.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
SCHEDULING AN AUDITION:
To schedule an audition, send a resume and headshot to Ahne Schield at ahne.schield@dallasopera.org. Audition times will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis. Please reference “Moby Auxiliary Auditions” in the subject field. A pianist will be provided for these auditions.
LOCATION:
Auditions will be held at the Karayanis Rehearsal Production Center in The Orchestra Room. Please arrive at least 15-20 minutes prior to your scheduled time. Warm-up rooms will be available to use on a first come, first served basis.
Karayanis Rehearsal Production Center
4301 South Fitzhugh Avenue
Dallas, TX 75210
TDO is a signatory to a collective bargaining agreement with the American Guild of Musical Artists.
The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House is conveniently located in the heart of the Arts District at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201.
~~~~
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA IS ACCESSIBLE ONLINE,
24/7 – VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG
________________________________________________________________
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.
###
Finals Round Scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Opening Remarks at 7:20 p.m.
Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House
The AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, Texas
General Admission Seating $5 / Lexus Red Parking $5
DALLAS, TX, APRIL 26, 2016 – The Dallas Opera wishes to remind music lovers that the expanded and revised 2016 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition will take place on Friday, April 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. (Semi-Final Round) and Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. (Finals Round).
Competitors in the critically acclaimed 2015 Competition took home prize monies totaling $18,500. As the competition sought to gain even greater prominence and significance, The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild made two significant changes last year, prompting Dallas Morning News Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell to write that the competition had “considerably upped its ante”:
The impact of these changes was immediately perceived. Senior Classical Music Critic Gregory Sullivan Isaacs of theaterjones.com wrote: “The results surely exceeded expectations for this newly re-envisioned competition…It won’t take long to situate itself at the top of such events and become an important gold star on any young artist’s résumé.”
Judges for the expanded 28th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition have been drawn from distinguished performers and opera administrators and will also include General Director & CEO Keith Cerny, Music Director Emmanuel Villaume and TDO Artistic Administrator Ian Derrer.
Commented General Director & CEO Keith Cerny: “The Guild Competition took a bold step forward last year and the result was electrifying! Emmanuel Villaume and The Dallas Opera Orchestra brought a tangible level of excitement to these performances and clearly inspired the finalists to do their absolute best.
“I’m quite certain that this year’s competition will bring a whole new set of challenges and give us new opportunities to build on our previous success. Working closely with Dr. Brian Zeger, our esteemed adjudicators, and the Guild, we are well on our way to creating an event that attracts the very finest young singers of this generation.”
Judges for the 2016 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition:
Brian Zeger, Chair, Artistic Director of Juilliard’s Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts and Executive Director for the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program of the Metropolitan Opera
Keith Cerny, General Director and CEO, The Dallas Opera
Emmanuel Villaume, Music Director, The Dallas Opera
Ian Derrer, Artistic Administrator, The Dallas Opera
Aidan Lang, General Director, Seattle Opera
Leonore Rosenberg, Associate Artistic Administrator, The Metropolitan Opera
Joshua Winograde, Senior Director of Artistic Planning, Los Angeles Opera
Diane Zola, Director of Artistic Administration, Houston Grand Opera
Dallas Opera Guild Co-President Jana Irwin explained that “the life of The Dallas Opera Guild revolves around this annual competition, because all of us feel so strongly about the need to support the future of opera. Greater prominence within the music industry can only translate into greater benefits for those lucky enough to be selected to participate, making this a win-win situation for all concerned.”
Admission for the Semi-Final Round is free, general admission tickets for the Finals Round are $5 – Lexus Red Parking for either round of the competition is just $5, as well.
Purchase now at dallasopera.org.
~~~~
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA IS CONVENIENTLY 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
Or Celeste Hart, Communications Manager at celeste.hart@dallasopera.org
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSOR FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “SEEKING THE HUMAN ELEMENT” 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