Tenor Matthew Polenzani in First Texas Engagement at TDO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, November 14, 2014
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

Mark Your Calendars!
The Dallas Opera Presents
TENOR MATTHEW POLENZANI
IN AN EXCLUSIVE RECITAL
WITH ACCLAIMED PIANIST JULIUS DRAKE
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015
2:00 P.M. AT CARUTH AUDITORIUM
ON THE CAMPUS OF SMU
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THE ROBERT E. AND JEAN ANN TITUS
ART SONG RECITAL SERIES
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$25 GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS

DALLAS, TX, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 – The Dallas Opera, in the latest installment of The Robert E. and Jean Ann Titus Art Song Recital Series, will present the phenomenal American tenor, Matthew Polenzani, in an exclusive, one-time-only recital on the afternoon of Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Southern Methodist University’s popular Caruth Auditorium (an intimate 490-seat venue located in the Owen Arts Center, 6101 Bishop, Dallas, TX 75205). The two o’clock recital will also feature the exciting and accomplished playing of Mr. Polenzani’s frequent recording partner, pianist Julius Drake.
Their collaboration evokes the “golden age” of recitalists, unafraid to blend and emote as the musical phrase strikes them. Their acclaimed collaboration at Wigmore Hall is available on CD. Furthermore, their recent CD celebrating the music of Franz Liszt prompted Tim Ashley of The Guardian (U.K.) to write: “This stupendous disc, issued ahead of the Liszt bicentenary next year, marks the start of Hyperion’s survey of his complete songs, still a grey area for many despite past attempts by major artists such as Brigitte Fassbaender and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau to rehabilitate them…in musico-dramatic terms, the originals are often vastly preferable to the revisions, and tenor Matthew Polenzani and pianist Julius Drake opt for the first versions of the Petrarch Sonnets and the Lieder aus Schiller’s Wilhelm Tell interwoven with shorter pieces, familiar or otherwise. Most of Liszt’s songs are big statements, usually described as virtuoso. But as with so much of his music, their difficulty in performance is to be found in their emotional and expressive extremes. The challenges are more than met here, with Polenzani doing things in songs such as ‘Der Fischerknabe’ or ‘Pace Non Trovo’ that you never thought possible for a human voice, while Drake’s intensity is total and unswerving.”

Matthew Polenzani has been astounding audiences at New York’s Metropolitan Opera and around the world in recent years with his expressive musicality and passionate performances, prompting Opera News to write: “Few singers today command the sheer beauty of timbre and dynamic control of Matthew Polenzani.” John von Rhein, longtime critic for The Chicago Tribune praised his “striking performance whose beauty of tone, elegance of line and gravitas of manner remind us that there are few finer Mozart singers around.” The New York Times’ Anthony Tommasini noted: “A born lyric tenor, he has been branching into heavier repertory that requires vocal heft and carrying power…honeyed sound, melting pianissimos…sublime.” Added Wall Street Journal Classical Music Critic Heidi Waleson, “He was all about passion, and you felt it.”

This recital marks Polenzani’s hotly anticipated Texas debut.

“Beginning with an outstanding recital by British tenor Ian Bostridge last January,” says Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny, “the Titus Art Song Recital Series has already accomplished the first of several goals—making new converts to this most personal of musical art forms. It is a particular thrill to be able to invite Matthew Polenzani to make his first appearance in Dallas, where music lovers have eagerly awaited their chance to hear him in person.
“After witnessing Polenzani’s exceptional artistry at Covent Garden last season, where he performed the role of Des Grieux in Massenet’s Manon under the baton of Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume,” Cerny added, “I longed to share that experience with dedicated music lovers here in Texas.
“There is nothing quite so exciting as a world-class singer in his prime, performing with refinement, passion and conviction!”

The program (subject to alteration) will open with Beethoven’s “Adelaide,” Op. 46, based on an early German poem of the Romantic Era about an unattainable woman, and continue with songs by Franz Liszt; Five Popular Greek Melodies, a song cycle by Maurice Ravel; Three Melodies by Erik Satie and Samuel Barber’s Hermit Songs, Op. 29, based on Irish poems from the Middle Ages translated by 20th century literary luminaries including W.H. Auden, Chester Kallman, Seán Ó’Faoláin and Howard Mumford Jones.
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Seating is limited but through the generosity of the Titus Family, all tickets are just $25. Seating is general admission; there are no reserved seats. This recital series was created just last year to showcase well-established artists in programs dedicated to preserving the fine art of “art song.”

At the time, Dallas Opera Executive Committee Member Sarah Titus explained, the series “was created by our family to honor my parents’ lifetime commitment to the arts in Dallas, as well as their history of giving to the Dallas Opera. My parents’ commitment to the organization dates back to its inception in the late 1950s.
“This particular art form has been a lifelong passion of my mother’s, so, endowing an annual recital featuring world-class artists and accompanists seemed a natural fit.
“Speaking for the entire family, we are excited to be bringing this glorious music to Dallas audiences; and we commend Keith Cerny’s responsible leadership of—and vision for—the Dallas Opera.”

Tickets go on sale Thursday, November 20th at 10:00 a.m. and may be purchased either online at www.dallasopera.org or by contacting the friendly professionals in the Dallas Opera Ticket/Patron Services Office at 214.443.1000.

MATTHEW POLENZANI, BIOGRAPHY:

One of the most gifted and distinguished lyric tenors of his generation, Matthew Polenzani has been praised for the artistic versatility and fresh lyricism that he brings to concert and operatic appearances on leading international stages. Mr. Polenzani’s 14/15 season opens with his return to the Royal Opera House in London for Idomeneo, followed by productions of Les contes d’Hoffmann, led by James Levine at the Metropolitan in New York. He will sing Nemorino and Tamino in L’Elisir d’Amore andDie Zauberflöte at Bayerische Staatsoper along with his debut at the Opernhaus Zurich, in La Traviata. On the concert platform, he appears in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Chicago Symphony conducted by Riccardo Muti, he sings the Verdi Requiem at La Scala, under the baton of Riccardo Chailly, and sings a New Year’s concert with Maria Agresta at Teatro La Fenice, Venezia, conducted by Daniel Harding. He will also tour the States for a series of Recitals with pianist Julius Drake, with whom he will also perform in Recital at London’s Wigmore Hall, and will sing Schubert’s Die Schöne Müllerin accompanied by pianist Ken Noda with Parlance Chamber Concerts.
The 13/14 season saw Mr. Polenzani’s return to the Metropolitan Opera in Mozart’s Cosìfan tutte, and in Verdi’s Rigoletto. He was Massenet’s Des Grieux in Laurent Pelly’s production of Manon at the Royal Opera Covent Garden, and he was Tito in David McVicar’s production of La Clemenza di Tito at Lyric Opera of Chicago. The tenor made his debut at the Deutsche Oper Berlin as Berlioz’s Faust, and then returned to the Bayerische Staatsoper forI Capuleti e i Montecchi.
Among the many highlights from recent Metropolitan Opera seasons are the premieres of Bartlett Sher’s production of L’elisir d’amore, which opened the 2012 season, and David McVicar’s production of Maria Stuarda (issued on DVD by Erato), Willy Decker’s production of La traviata, Julie Taymor’s legendary Die Zauberflöte (DVD available from the Metropolitan Opera), Jürgen Flimm’s production of Salome and revivals of Don Pasquale(issued on DVD by Deutsche Grammophon), Don Giovanni, Roméo et Juliette, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Cosìfan tutte, Falstaff, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (DVD also available from Deutsche Grammophon)and L’Italiana in Algeri. To date, he has sung over 300 performances at the Met, many conducted by his musical mentor James Levine. In other American theaters, appearances include Werther, Les Contes d’Hoffmann, La traviata, Roméo et Juliette and Die Entführung aus dem Serail with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Die Entführung and Il barbiere di Siviglia for San Francisco Opera, andDie Zauberflöte with James Conlon at Los Angeles Opera.
Following Matthew Polenzani’s debut as Gérald in Delibes Lakméwith Opera Bordeaux in France in 1998, appearances in other major European theatres include productions of Don Pasquale and La traviata at the Teatro Comunale in Florence, the Aix en Provence Festival (DVD available on Bel Air Classiques) and on a tour of Japan with Turin’s Teatro Regio; I Capuleti e I Montecchi at the Paris Opera; L’elisir d’amore at the Vienna State Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Naples’ Teatro San Carlo and Rome Opera; Cosìfan tutte at Covent Garden with Sir Colin Davis and in Paris with Philippe Jordan; Lucia di Lammermoor at Frankfurt Opera, the Paris Opera and Vienna State Opera; La Damnation de Faust in Frankfurt; Manon on a tour of Japan with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden under Antonio Pappano; Idomeneo in Turin with Gianandrea Noseda, Manon with Fabio Luisi and La traviata at La Scala; Rigoletto at the Vienna State Opera conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos, and at the Salzburg Festival in Don Giovanni (DVD available on EuroArts). Mr. Polenzani is in great demand for symphonic work for the world’s most influential conductors including Pierre Boulez, James Conlon, Sir Colin Davis, Riccardo Frizza, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Louis Langrée, James Levine, Jesús López-Cobos, Lorin Maazel, Riccardo Muti, Simon Rattle, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Leonard Slatkin, Sir Jeffrey Tate, Michael Tilson Thomas, Franz Welser-Möst and David Zinman, and with many major orchestras both in the United States and Europe, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Orchestra del Santa Cecilia, Orchestre National de France, Orchestra Giovanile “L. Cherubini” at the Salzburg Whitsun Festival and the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris at the Saint Denis Festival.
In recital, Matthew Polenzani has appeared in recital with Julius Drake at Wigmore Hall (available on CD from the Wigmore Hall label), Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Celebrity Series Boston at Jordan Hall and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society; with noted pianist Richard Goode in a presentation of Janá?ek’s The Diary of One Who Vanished at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall, and in recital at the Verbier Festival with pianist Roger Vignoles (commercially available on CD on VAI). Mr. Polenzani was honored to have appeared on all three stages of Carnegie Hall in one season: in concert with the MET Chamber Ensemble at Zankel Hall; in solo recital with James Levine at the piano in Weill Hall; and in a Schubert Liederabend on the stage of Isaac Stern Auditorium with colleagues Renée Fleming, Anne Sofie Von Otter, and René Pape, again with James Levine as pianist.
Matthew Polenzani was the recipient of the 2004 Richard Tucker Award and Metropolitan Opera’s 2008 Beverly Sills Artist Award. An avid golfer, he makes his home in suburban New York with his wife, mezzo-soprano Rosa Maria Pascarella and their three sons.
JULIUS DRAKE, BIOGRAPHY:

The pianist Julius Drake lives in London and specializes in the field of chamber music, working with many of the world’s leading artists, both in recital and on disc. He appears at all the major music centres: in recent seasons concerts have taken him to the Aldeburgh, Edinburgh, Munich, Salzburg, Schubertiade, and Tanglewood Music Festivals; to Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Centre, New York; the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam and Philarmonie, Cologne; the Châtelet and Musée de Louvre, Paris; the Musikverein and Konzerthaus, Vienna; and the Wigmore Hall and BBC Proms, London.
Director of the Perth International Chamber Music Festival in Australia from 2000 – 2003, Julius Drake was also musical director of Deborah Warner’s staging of Janá?ek’s Diary of One Who Vanished, touring to Munich, London, Dublin, Amsterdam and New York. In 2009 he was appointed Artistic Director of the Machynlleth Festival in Wales.
Julius Drake is also a committed teacher and is regularly invited to give master classes, this season in Aldeburgh, Basle, Toronto, Utrecht, and at the Schubert Institute in Baden bei Wien. He is Professor at Graz University for Music and the Performing Arts in Austria, where he has a class for song pianists.
Julius Drake’s passionate interest in song has led to invitations to devise song series for the Wigmore Hall, London, the BBC and the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. A series of song recitals – Julius Drake and Friends – in the historic Middle Temple Hall in London, has featured recitals with many outstanding vocal artists including Thomas Allen, Olaf Bär, Ian Bostridge, Angelika Kirchschlager, Sergei Leiferkus, Felicity Lott, Katarina Karneus, Simon Keenlyside, Christopher Maltman, Mark Padmore, Christoph Pregardien, Amanda Roocroft, and Willard White.
Julius Drake is frequently invited to perform at international chamber music festivals – recently Kuhmo in Finland, Delft in the Netherlands, Oxford in England and West Cork in Ireland – while his instrumental duo with Nicholas Daniel has been described in The Independent newspaper as “one of the most satisfying in British chamber music: vital, thoughtful and confirmed in musical integrity of the highest order.”
Julius Drake’s many recordings include a widely acclaimed series with Gerald Finley for Hyperion, for which the Barber Songs, Schumann Heine Lieder and Britten Songs and Proverbs have won the 2007, 2009 and 2011 Gramophone Awards; award winning recordings with Ian Bostridge for EMI; several recitals for the ‘Wigmore Live’ label, with among others Lorraine Hunt Liebersen, Matthew Polenzani, Joyce Didonato and Alice Coote; and recordings of Tchaikovsky and Mahler with Christianne Stotijn for Onyx and English song with Bejun Mehta for Harmonia Mundi.
Julius Drake is now embarked on a major project to record the complete songs of Franz Liszt for Hyperion: the second disc in the series, with Angelika Kirchschlager, won the BBC Music Magazine Award for 2012.
Highlights in his present schedule include an extensive tour of the USA with Matthew Polenzani; a four part Schumann Series at the Concergebouw in Amsterdam; recordings with Sarah Connolly, Eva-Maria Westbroek, Christoph Pregardien, Ian Bostridge and Gerald Finley; recitals in his own series at the historic Middle Temple Hall, London; and a tour of Japan and Korea with Anne Sophie von Otter and Camilla Tilling.
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Single tickets for the remaining mainstage productions of the Dallas Opera’s “Heights of Passion” Season—including the world premiere production of Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer’s EVEREST—are on sale now, starting at just $19, 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 as little as $25 (one per valid Student I.D.) ninety minutes prior to each performance.
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EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “NOVEMBER AT THE DALLAS OPERA”
IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7
VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG AND CHECK THE CALENDAR LISTINGS

For high-resolution, digital photographs suitable for print
To arrange an interview
Or for additional information
Please contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and Public Relations
214.443.1014 or suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
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TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2014-2015 SEASON SPONSOR
FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “HEIGHTS OF PASSION” SEASON
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 will 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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Last Call for Applicants – Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

Deadline for Entries This Saturday!
THE 2015 DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION
Now, Bigger than Texas!
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Thousands in cash prizes; plus, a chance to
perform with the Dallas Opera Orchestra
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BLUE-RIBBON JUDGES PANEL NAMED
– CHAIRED BY DR. BRIAN ZEGER
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The clock is ticking! – Enter today at YAPTracker.com

DALLAS, TX, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 – The November 15th deadline is rapidly approaching, as the Dallas Opera Guild prepares for the most exciting vocal competition in its history! For the very first time, the 27th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition is accepting applicants from all fifty states and U.S. territories, aged 21 to 32. Applications must be submitted online at YAPTracker.com by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2014. The entry fee is $35.
Besides significant cash prizes and the extraordinary opportunity to perform before an influential world-class panel of judges, chaired by Dr. Brian Zeger, a major innovation at this year’s Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition (April 18-19, 2015) is the introduction of an orchestral accompaniment for the Finals Round. Competing artists will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Dallas Opera Orchestra led by internationally renowned Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, recently praised by The New York Times for his conducting of the prestigious 2014 Richard Tucker Music Foundation Gala. Richard Sasanow of Broadway World observed: “the evening was filled with many pleasures, under the baton of Maestro Emmanuel Villaume.” The maestro of choice for a host of renowned opera artists like Anna Netrebko, this is an aspiring opera singer’s chance to work, one-on-one, with one of the most sought-after conductors of our time.
The judges for the upcoming 2015 competition reads like an American Opera “Who’s Who.”

Judges for the 2015 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 of The Dallas Opera

Ian Derrer
Artistic Administrator, The Dallas Opera

Gregory Henkel
Director of Artistic and Music Planning, San Francisco Opera

Andreas Melinat
Director of Artistic Administration, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Emmanuel Villaume
Music Director, The Dallas Opera

Joshua Winograde
Senior Director of Artistic Planning, Los Angeles Opera

Dallas Opera Guild President Susan Fleming explained that “The Guild has long been proud of the annual Vocal Competition, and our members who work countless hours behind the scenes to bring the competition to life. We are pleased to be working together with General Director & CEO Keith Cerny, Maestro Emmanuel Villaume, and Brian Zeger to build on our past success and to increase the national prominence of this competition.”

Dallas Opera Guild 2015 Vocal Competition Chair Ketty Fitzgerald added, “Building on the foundation of all those who came before us, we have a unique opportunity to restructure this competition to enable it to do even more to advance the careers of the best young singers in opera. That is our ultimate goal, in taking this event to the next level.”

Semifinalists will be notified on January 15, 2015. Additional details regarding the changes to the competition may be found at www.dallasopera.org/vocal. Mark your calendars now!
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Single tickets for the remaining mainstage productions of the Dallas Opera’s “Heights of Passion” Season—including the world premiere production of Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer’s EVEREST—are on sale now, starting at just $19, 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 as little as $25 (one per valid Student I.D.) ninety minutes prior to each performance.

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EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “NOVEMBER AT THE DALLAS OPERA”
IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7
VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG AND CHECK THE CALENDAR LISTINGS

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

A RARE DALLAS OPERA DOUBLE BILL:

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Major Milestones in Simulcasting

The numbers are in – and they are staggering! Thanks to you and 6,999 of your friends, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances. Please read on.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

THE DALLAS OPERA IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE
A Crowd of 7,000
ATTENDED THE OCTOBER 24TH KLYDE WARREN PARK SIMULCAST OF MOZART’S “THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO” LIVE FROM THE MARGOT AND BILL WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE
AT THE AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
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TDO SIMULCAST PROGRAM TOPS 50,000!
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THOUSANDS—WITH KIDS, PETS AND PICNICS—EXPERIENCED MOZART BY STARLIGHT ON A PICTURE-PERFECT NIGHT IN ONE OF THE CITY’S MOST POPULAR OUTDOOR DESTINATIONS

DALLAS, OCTOBER 28, 2014 —The Dallas Opera is thrilled to announce that last Friday evening’s live simulcast of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro in Klyde Warren Park, the company’s ninth simulcast in four years, attracted a record-breaking crowd for any Dallas Opera performance outside a sports stadium.

“Our official estimate,” explained Tara Green, President, Klyde Warren Park, “puts the attendance on October 24, 2014 at approximately seven thousand, making this the second-largest crowd ever recorded in the park’s history. The Dallas Opera’s superb production of The Marriage of Figaro not only drew people to this wonderful park to sit with loved ones beneath the stars and the city lights in anticipation of a terrific performance—it kept them engaged throughout the evening—proving once again the power of ‘marrying’ great art to great public spaces like this one.”
“I couldn’t be more delighted with the huge demonstration of public interest in our Opening Night Simulcast,” remarked Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny.
“We hoped this brilliant classic opera with its phenomenal ensemble cast would generate the kind of interest we saw at last year’s season opener in Klyde Warren Park. In retrospect, however, it appears we underestimated the magnetism of Mozart. Our analysis of initial data indicates this Dallas Opera park simulcast managed to attract the youngest, most ethnically diverse audience ever to experience one of our mainstage performances—in any setting.
“It was a genuine community event,” Cerny added, “in the very best sense of the word, and I find that both humbling and deeply gratifying.”

The evening marked another major milestone: The Dallas Opera’s Public Simulcast Program surpassed 50,000 in total attendance, as it continues to attract audiences from across North Texas.

“It was an altogether remarkable night of music,” said Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, “that made an exceptional opera more fully accessible to everyone. The entire city, young and old, rich or poor, was invited to experience Beaumarchais’ timeless characters and Mozart’s incomparable genius—and the people came, filling both the Winspear Opera House and Klyde Warren Park.
‘I have never seen the company’s vision for community outreach and inclusion more perfectly realized than it was last Friday evening through a performance that proclaimed one simple truth: ‘all patrons are created equal.’ It’s an idea that, no doubt, would have received the hearty approval of those who created this revolutionary 18th century masterpiece.”

“During Friday night’s grand opening performance,” Stage Director Kevin Moriarty (Artistic Director of the Dallas Theater Center) revealed: “I snuck out of the theater in the second act to visit the park. I was amazed at what I saw: a massive, diverse crowd, inspiring in its friendliness, rapt attention and joyful energy.
“I’m certain that if they were alive today, Mozart, Da Ponte and Beaumarchais would agree with me that this event confirmed the rightful place of the arts as a cultural birthright of all citizens in a great democracy,” adding, “It was a highlight in a night filled with joyful, triumphant moments.”

Last year’s Klyde Warren Park Dallas Opera Simulcast (Carmen) drew just under 4,000.
This year, park patrons were entertained by a classic 1945 Three Stooges short, “Micro-phonies” in which Curly impersonates an Italian diva, prior to the live simulcast, in addition to a “Worst Bridesmaid’s Dress EVER!” contest, and bouquet tosses for assorted prizes.
Underwritten by the Sheila and Jody Grant Opera Discovery Program, additional support was provided by the AT&T Performing Arts Center, celebrating the second anniversary of Klyde Warren Park, and Chase.
Radio personality Jody Dean and Dr. Stephen Dubberly of UNT’s Opera Program delighted the park crowd with trivia, musical interludes and running commentary.
Performances of The Marriage of Figaro will continue on October 29, November 1, 7 & 9(m), 2014 in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, selected by Southern Living as the best new venue for opera. All evening performances will begin promptly at 7:30 PM. Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 PM.
Dallas Morning News Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell wrote: “A splendidly sung and played Marriage of Figaro on Friday night was a fine season opener for the Dallas Opera…you’d be hard pressed anywhere to hear more consistently satisfying singing. Even ensembles were remarkably taut.”
David Weuste of Opera Pulse praised the production for “one of the strongest casts in recent memory.”
And Zachariah Stoughton of Theater Jones added: “It was in some ways a relief to hear and see this work performed so ideally.”
A free pre-performance lecture (“The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talks”) will be conducted one hour prior to curtain at most performances.

Flex subscriptions begin at $75 for the 2014-2015 Season, with full subscriptions starting at $95. Single tickets are also available and start at $19. Contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214-443-1000 or purchase online, 24/7 at www.dallasopera.org.
~~~~
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

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.

A RARE DALLAS OPERA DOUBLE BILL:

###

Exciting News from The Dallas Opera About Music Director Emmanuel Villaume

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
~~~~
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.

~~~~

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.

~~~~

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

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.

A RARE DALLAS OPERA DOUBLE BILL:

###

The Dallas Opera Presents “The Marriage of Figaro”

(Photo by Dan Rest for Lyric Opera of Chicago)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

THE DALLAS OPERA PRESENTS
ONE OF MOZART’S MOST MEMORABLE COMEDIC OPERAS
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
(“Le nozze di Figaro”)
LIBRETTO BY LORENZO DA PONTE AFTER
THE PLAY BY PIERRE-AUGUSTIN CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS
~~~~
CONDUCTED BY MUSIC DIRECTOR EMMANUEL VILLAUME
STAGED BY DTC ARTISTIC DIRECTOR KEVIN MORIARTY
IN HIS WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE DEBUT
~~~~
STARRING ITALIAN BASS-BARITONE MIRCO PALAZZI AS FIGARO,
SOPRANO BEATE RITTER AS SUSANNA, BARITONE JOSHUA HOPKINS AS COUNT ALMAVIVA, AND SOPRANO NICOLE CAR AS COUNTESS ALMAVIVA
~~~~
OPENING NIGHT: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014 AT 8:00 PM
(NOTE SPECIAL TIME) WITH ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES
Oct. 26(m), 29, Nov. 1, 7, 9(m)
~~~~
LINDA AND MITCH HART SEASON OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE OF THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

DALLAS, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 —The Dallas Opera’s thrilling season-opening production of the 2014-2015 “Heights of Passion” Season is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, a revolutionary romantic comedy filled with memorable music and unforgettable characters. The Marriage of Figaro opens on Friday, October 24, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center located in the Dallas Arts District at 2403 Flora Street.
Opening Night festivities begin with a magnificent red carpet entrance and a sumptuous FIRST NIGHT Pre-Performance Dinner (beginning at 6:00 p.m.) co-chaired by Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger.
The Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance of The Marriage of Figaro will begin at 8:00 p.m. with subsequent performances scheduled on October 26(m), 29, November 1, 7, and 9(m), 2014.
A high-spirited After Party, co-chaired by Jenifer Strauss and Robert Weatherly, begins just as the opera ends. For more information about all FIRST NIGHT events, please visit our website at www.dallasopera.org/support/special-events/first-night.
Flex subscriptions begin at $75 for the 2014-2015 Season, with full subscriptions starting at $95. Single tickets are also available and start at $19. Contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214-443-1000 or purchase online, 24/7 at www.dallasopera.org.

After a series of entertaining twists and turns over the course of one day, Figaro finally weds his true love. At first glance, The Marriage of Figaro appears to be a story about love and desire. Yet beneath the romantic comedy, there is another tale—that of the servant class cleverly outwitting the upper class—a concept that was nothing short of revolutionary in its day. In this 1786 opera buffa, the music conveys the characters and storyline as effectively as Da Ponte’s brilliant libretto, based on the groundbreaking play by Beaumarchais. Patrons will also tap along to one of the best-known overtures in Western Music.
Our distinguished music director, Emmanuel Villaume, will take the podium to conduct this acclaimed 18th century masterpiece. According to a recent review by The Financial Times, Maestro Villaume is “the seasoned specialist on the podium, (who) conveyed equal parts savoir-faire and inspiration. He sustained reasonable momentum…and reinforced a delicate balance between lyrical restraint and dramatic exuberance.”
“I have a special connection to Le nozze di Figaro: it is the first opera I conducted, in 1990, for the Spoleto Festival USA,” explains Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume. “A promising young soprano was singing the countess; her name was Renée Fleming.
“Mozart takes the wit and craziness inherent in Beaumarchais marvelous play and elevates it to another level. The rhythm and pace of the opera are dizzying! Dramatic and musical constructions complement each other in a rare balance of sophistication, grace and expressive power.
“In the end,” adds Maestro Villaume, “The Marriage of Figaro is one of those rare musical achievements that not only depicts the human condition in all its ambivalence and beauty, but is in itself a near-miraculous work of genius. Mozart’s brilliant interpretation is packed with profound insights which reveal how the world works and, in doing so, change it.”

Joining Maestro Villaume in crafting this masterpiece is Stage Director Kevin Moriarty, the acclaimed Artistic Director of the Dallas Theater Center, in his Winspear Opera House debut.

“This will be my first opportunity to direct a major work of the standard repertoire, and will allow everyone involved to kick up our heels with laughter at the hilarious plot, marvel at the musical wonders of Mozart’s beautiful score, and delve into bringing these wonderfully rich characters to life on the Winspear stage.
“What a joy it will be!” exclaimed Mr. Moriarty.

“I am so proud to have this opportunity to bring together two of the most talented and original artists at work today in the Arts District,” adds Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny. “Emmanuel and Kevin have earned the admiration and high esteem of music and theater lovers everywhere, and their first collaboration seems likely to result in a truly memorable and intelligent production—with a phenomenal cast. If I didn’t already have my tickets, I’d be online making that purchase right now.”

Starring as Figaro is Italian bass-baritone Mirco Palazzi, who made his U.S. debut with The Dallas Opera in 2010 starring as the cagey Leporello, opposite Paulo Szot, in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. The Associated Press hailed his performance as showing “great spirit and comic timing”.
Our female leading lady is the lovely Austrian soprano Beate Ritter, starring as Susanna, Figaro’s love interest and bride-to-be. She makes her American debut in this production after establishing herself as an audience favorite in Europe, specializing in Mozart roles, including The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute and Blonde in The Abduction from the Seraglio. Her character, Susanna, conspires with Countess Almaviva to set up the Countess’ husband in order to expose his lustful desires.
Described by Opera Insider as “sensational, with one of the most beautifully lyric, full-bodied and honeyed voices I have ever heard”, lovely Australian soprano Nicole Car stars as the deceived Countess. She is making her exciting American debut with this performance after thrilling audiences “down-under” with several spectacular leading lady portrayals for Opera Australia.
For our philandering Count Almaviva, The Dallas Opera has cast “one of the twenty-five artists poised to define opera for this generation,” (Opera News)—Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins. He has also been described as “…an outstanding young baritone with a virile, vigorous yet velvety sound and an immediately evident dramatic authority,” by The Globe and Mail (U.K.).
The vivacious “pants role” of Cherubino, a young man who becomes enamored with every woman he meets, will be performed by mezzo-soprano Emily Fons. The Chicago Tribune asked “has there ever been a more winning impersonation? Her ‘Voi che sapete’ is enough to melt the Countess’ heart, and our own as well.”
This exceptional ensemble also includes bass Kevin Langan, who stars in the buffo role of Doctor Bartolo. As one of America’s most sought-after basses, he has performed with The Dallas Opera in 11 productions including his debut in 1985 in La Fanciulla del West.
The other principal artists in this outstanding cast are world renowned British mezzo-soprano Diana Montague who makes her long-awaited TDO debut as Marcellina, acclaimed character tenor Doug Jones as Don Basilio, soprano Deanna Breiwick in her company debut as Barbarina, bass Adam Lau in his TDO debut as Antonio, the gardener, and tenor Jon Kolbet as Don Curzio.
Production design for The Marriage of Figaro is by John Bury in this classic stage setting from Lyric Opera of Chicago. Joel Ferrel, the Associate Artistic Director of the Dallas Theater Center, is the production choreographer. The Dallas Opera Chorus will be prepared by Chorus Master Alexander Rom.
Performances will continue on October 26(m), 29, November 1, 7 & 9(m), 2014 in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, selected by Southern Living as the best new venue for opera. All evening performances besides the Opening Night of the Season will begin promptly at 7:30 PM. Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 PM.
A free pre-performance lecture (“The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talks”) will be conducted one hour prior to curtain at most performances. The Dallas Opera Guild also hosts “Opera Insights,” a lively panel discussion featuring artists, directors and designers, on the Sunday afternoon prior to opening. For more details, visit dallasopera.org.
~~~~

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS FOUNDATION, SEASON SPONSOR
FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “HEIGHTS OF PASSION” SEASON

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO KEY BIOS:

EMMANUEL VILLAUME (Conductor)
(Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director in honor of Graeme Jenkins)
Emmanuel Villaume is in his second season as music director of Dallas Opera and will conduct Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta this season. He made his debut with the company in 1998 conducting Faust and returned to conduct Le nozze di Figaro. He 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.
Kevin Moriarty (Stage Director)
Kevin Moriarty is the artistic director of Dallas Theater Center, where he has directed It’s a Bird … It’s a Plane … It’s Superman, The Who’s Tommy, The Wiz, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henry IV, The Tempest, Fat Pig, Next Fall, his original adaptation of A Christmas Carol, and Oedipus el Rey. He made his operatic directing debut with The Lighthouse (2012) for the Dallas Opera. For DTC he headed up the move into the Wyly Theatre, the creation of the Brierley Resident Acting Company, and an extensive series of productions of new plays. Mr. Moriarty is the Vice-Chair of the Dallas Arts District, Theatre Communications Group, and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, and is a Trustee for the Booker T. Washington Advisory Board.

Mirco Palazzi (Figaro)
Bass Mirco Palazzi made his American debut in 2010 at The Dallas Opera as Leporello in Don Giovanni in 2010. Born in Rimini, he graduated from Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro. He has sung with the most important opera houses in Italy (Bologna, Naples, Rome, Parma, Genova, Turin, Venice, Florence, La Scala) and abroad (Edinburgh, Barcelona, London, Liège, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Koln, Athens and Moscow). Some of his most recent engagements include La damnation de Faust in London and at Deutsche Oper Berlin, Maometto II in Rome, Guillaume Tell in Amsterdam Turin, and at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Lucia in Washington, La gazza ladra and L’Italiana in Algeri in Verona. His discography includes Zelmira, Adelaide di Borgogna, Sofonisba, and Il diluvio universale (Opera Rara), and Lucia di Lammermoor (DVD TDK).

Beate Ritter (Susanna)
Austrian soprano Beate Ritter makes her U.S. operatic debut as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro for The Dallas Opera. Ms. Ritter debuted at Vienna’s Theater an der Wien in Pelléas et Mélisande. She later debuted at the Vienna Volksoper as Blonde in Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seragli and has performed with its ensemble as the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Carmina Burana, and Adele in Die Fledermaus. Other notable appearances include Blonde at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Angers, and Nantes, along with Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute for Komische Oper Berlin, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and upcoming performances in Leipzig. In 2015, she will make her debut as Fiakermilli in Arabella at the Cologne Opera.
Joshua Hopkins (Count Almaviva) Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins returns to Dallas Opera for the first time since his company debut as Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette. Recent performances include Marcello in La bohème for the Canadian Opera Company, and Schaunard for the Metropolitan Opera; Argante in Händel’s Rinaldo and Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro for the Glyndebourne Festival. Mr. Hopkins also sang in recital at Carnegie Hall with pianist Julius Drake. Highlights of past seasons include performances at the Metropolitan Opera in a new production of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda, La bohème with the Houston Grand Opera, Le nozze di Figaro with the Verbier Festival, and Papageno in Die Zauberflöte at Santa Fe Opera. Mr. Hopkins’ first recital disc, Let Beauty Awake, has been released by ATMA Classique label.
Nicole Car (Countess Almaviva)
Australian soprano Nicole Car marks her United States debut with these performances at Dallas Opera. In 2013 she was the winner of the prestigious international Neue Stimmen competition in Germany. She has portrayed the roles of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Mimi in La Bohème, the Italian Singer in Capriccio, Pamina in The Magic Flute, Leila in The Pearl Fishers, Valencienne in The Merry Widow, Tatyana in Eugene Onegin, and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni for Opera Australia. Her performance as Micaela in Carmen from Sydney Harbor was internationally broadcasted and is now available on CD and DVD. In 2009 she debuted as Donna Anna in Victorian Opera’s production of Don Giovanni. Concert appearances have included Brahms’ Deutsches Requiem, and Mozart’s Requiem.

Kevin Langan (Dr. Bartolo)
American bass Kevin Langan returns to The Dallas Opera for Dr. Bartolo, a role he first sang with the company in 2002. He debuted here in 1986 as Ashby in La fanciulla del West and returned for performances in L’incoronazione di Poppea, Hoiby’s The Tempest, Ariodante, Roméo et Juliette, Turandot and Die Zauberflöte. His career spans 35 years and almost 1,300 performances covering a vast repertoire of over 80 roles. Mr. Langan recently became the first artist to reach 300 performances in leading roles at San Francisco Opera. For Lyric Opera of Chicago he has given over 125 performances and over 165 performances with the Santa Fe Opera. Other engagements have included Colline in La bohème and Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia at the Metropolitan Opera.

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

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.

A RARE DALLAS OPERA DOUBLE BILL:

###

Dallas Opera Perspectives: “When Art & Religion Collide”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

ONE OF THE KEY CULTURAL ISSUES OF OUR DAY!
THE DALLAS OPERA, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, PRESENTS

DALLAS OPERA PERSPECTIVES:
“WHEN ART AND RELIGION COLLIDE”
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
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Inspired by Richard Strauss’ “Salome” but encompassing so much more! Moderated by SMU’s Dr. Christopher Anderson with a star-studded arts leadership panel featuring Dallas Museum of Art Director Maxwell Anderson, Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty and Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny.

Visit dallasopera.org/conversations

DALLAS, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 – The Dallas Opera is proud to present the first of this season’s Dallas Opera Perspectives: “When Art and Religion Collide,” a free, in-depth exploration of the role of religion in the creation of both visual and performing arts, including works like The Dallas Opera’s second production of the 2014-2015 Season, Salome by Richard Strauss. The panel will also explore how this relationship is evolving in an increasingly interactive, yet balkanized and secular world.
This lively discussion will take place in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 2014. The Arts District landmark is located at 1928 Ross Avenue, approximately three blocks from the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House and the public is encouraged to attend.
Moderated by Dr. Christopher Anderson, an award-winning author and Associate Professor of Sacred Music at the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, the panel will consist of three influential leaders representing different branches of the arts: the Eugene McDermott Director of the Dallas Museum of Art Maxwell Anderson, Dallas Theater Center Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty and Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny.

“Although our primary means of engaging the community is through performance,” explains Keith Cerny, “I believe it is just as important for The Dallas Opera to lend our brand to meaningful public discourse on a variety of timely and important topics. The complex relationship between art and religion throughout human history gives us much to analyze and discuss from the perspective of three hugely influential art forms—and we are eager for the audience to share their thoughts on the subject as well.”

“What is the underlying purpose of art?” asks Dr. Christopher Anderson. “How do secular or even anti-religious currents in the community affect the role of the artist? Is there a place for transcendence in art divorced from religion? How successfully has religion guided the artistic expression of society and family values? What about those occasions when art or religion are misappropriated in order to suppress?”
“These are just a few of the questions that will fuel our conversation,” he adds, “in an evening that may spark deeply personal responses.”

The evening will conclude with an open Q and A with members of the audience. No question is too controversial.
Walk-ups are welcome; however, we recommend that you reserve your seat now by going to www.dallasopera.org/conversations.
Parking is available in Bryan Tower at the corner of San Jacinto and Harwood, diagonally opposite the church, with a special event price of $3. Paid parking may also be found in one of several surface lots nearby and on the street. Handicapped parking is available at the church.

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The Dallas Opera’s 2014-2015 Season is sponsored by
Texas Instruments Foundation

Flex subscriptions begin at $75 for the 2014-2015 Season. Full Subscriptions begin at $95. For additional information about the coming season, call The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214-443-1000 or visit us online at www.dallasopera.org.

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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

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, 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

A RARE DALLAS OPERA DOUBLE BILL:

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 Rath
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

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The Dallas Opera Presents “The Marriage of Figaro”

Dallas Opera Perspectives: “When Art & Religion Collide”