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    The Epic Tale of Lust and Betrayal – SAMSON & DALILA

    THE DALLAS OPERA OPENS THE 2017-18 SEASON WITH

     CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS’ 

    SAMSON & DALILA

    LIBRETTO BY FERDINAND LEMAIRE

    (BASED ON THE BOOK OF JUDGES)

    ~~~~

    STARRING TENOR CLIFTON FORBIS AS SAMSON

    MEZZO-SOPRANO OLGA BORODINA AS DALILA

    IN HER DALLAS OPERA DEBUT

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    ALSO STARRING BARITONE RICHARD PAUL FINK, BARITONE MICHAEL CHIOLDI AND BASS-BARITONE RYAN KUSTER

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    CONDUCTED BY DALLAS OPERA MUSIC DIRECTOR

    EMMANUEL VILLAUME

    AND PIERRE VALLET (WED., OCT. 25TH PERFORMANCE)

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    STAGED BY DIRECTOR BRUNO BERGER-GORSKI

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    THE LINDA AND MITCH HART SEASON OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 at 8:00 PM

    The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the

    AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas TX

     

    ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES

    October 22 (m), 25, 28, and November 5(m)

    DALLAS, OCTOBER 5, 2017 – The Dallas Opera is proud to present the initial mainstage offering of the 2017-2018 “Motives Unmasked!” Season: Camille Saint-Saëns’ glorious nineteenth-century grand opera, SAMSON & DALILA, opening with The Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. (note special curtain time), the first of five performances in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Downtown Dallas.  Saint-Saëns’ 1877 masterpiece features a tremendous ensemble cast that includes Russian superstar Olga Borodina, Clifton Forbis, Richard Paul Fink, Michael Chioldi and Ryan Kuster.

    Performances continue on October 22(m), 25, 28 and November 5(m), 2017 in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House.  Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., (except for the opening night performance mentioned above) and the curtain rises on our Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.  There is absolutely no late seating.

    SAMSON & DALILA will be performed in its original language, French, with English-language translations projected above the stage at every performance.

    Tickets may be purchased by phone (214.443.1000), online (www.dallasopera.org) or at the door—starting at the low price of just $19.

    ~~~~

    Samson is the only hope of his people, the Hebrews, in the oppressive grip of the Philistines.
    Enter Dalila, the calculating seductress capable of capturing men’s hearts with ease.  Her temptation of Samson continues until she gets what she wants: the secret of his strength.  Camille Saint-Saëns’ opera builds to the familiar, spectacular climax, taken straight from the Book of Judges in this libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire.

    Dramatic tenor Clifton Forbis has sung some of the most challenging roles in the operatic repertoire.  He has mesmerized Dallas Opera audiences as Siegmund in Die Walküre, as well as a “forceful and manly” Tristan.  Samson is a signature role for Mr. Forbis, who has performed this part at Bilbao, San Francisco Opera and New York’s Metropolitan Opera.  He was last seen on The Dallas Opera stage in 2012’s groundbreaking production of Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, directed by Christian Räth, after inaugurating Dallas Opera productions in the Winspear Opera House in October of 2009 in the title role of Otello.

    He will star opposite the legendary Russian mezzo-soprano, Olga Borodina, who came to prominence in the West in 1992 when she starred opposite Plácido Domingo in Samson at London’s Covent Garden.  This Grammy Award-winner is considered the ultimate Dalila of her generation, according to London-based critic Rupert Christiansen of The Telegraph.

    Adam Wasserman of Opera News observed “…to watch Borodina is to see the masterful emergence of a truly human, fully formed character…buttressed by some of the most luxurious, thrilling vocalism that one can hope to encounter in an opera house.” The artist is closely associated with the historic Mariinsky Theatre in her birthplace, Saint Petersburg, Russia, but performs and records throughout the Western world, as well. Ms. Borodina’s recording of the Verdi Requiem with Riccardo Muti conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, won two 2011 Grammy Awards, including Best Classical Album.

    Music Director Emmanuel Villaume (The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director) will conduct the renowned Dallas Opera Orchestra in “one of the brightest jewels of French opera.”  Maestro Villaume triumphed in a revival of Jonathan Kent’s production of Tosca at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; prompting Hannah Nepil of The Financial Times to praise Villaume for “teasing out sultry, sumptuous playing from his orchestra.”  He also earned uniformly outstanding notices for his superb conducting of The Dallas Opera’s 2016 revival of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s Moby-Dick, prompting Gregory Sullivan Isaacs of Theater Jones to write, “…with Villaume on the podium, Heggie’s score comes across as much more neo-tonal, lush, magnificently constructed and neo-romantic opera than what I perceived in the score back then. Vocal lines soar, giving singers some great bel-canto phrases that are grateful for the voice.”

    Over the past summer, Villaume conducted a critically acclaimed Dallas Opera-Santa Fe Opera co-production of Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Golden Cockerel in its debut as part of the Santa Fe Opera 2017 Season.  Directed by Paul Curran and designed by Gary McCann, this new production will take centerstage in Dallas in an upcoming season.

    The Samson & Dalila performance on Wednesday, October 25th will be conducted by special guest Pierre Vallet, in his Dallas Opera debut. Praised for the elegance and intensity of his performances, Maestro Vallet is a long-serving member of the Metropolitan Opera Conductors Staff.  He also conducts at Paris National Opera; the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow; Sweden’s Göteborg Opera; Barcelona’s Gran Teatro del Liceu; the Saito Kinen Festival and in many other prestigious houses and venues throughout Europe and Asia.  The New York Times even cited Vallet for conducting one of the “Ten Best Classical Performances in New York City” in 2016. Maestro Vallet’s symphonic work includes several appearances at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London; the Royal Camerata in Bucharest; the Spoleto Festival USA; and the Greenwich Village Orchestra in New York. With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Elizabeth Sombart, Vallet has recorded the Chopin piano concertos, as well as a CD of adagios from piano concertos.

    SAMSON & DALILA will be staged by internationally acclaimed German director Bruno Berger-Gorski in his TDO debut.  He has been described as “the only active German opera director who has staged operas on four continents”—including more than a hundred from the standard repertoire.  Mr. Berger-Gorski is also considered a champion of rarely performed, unusual, or contemporary works, such as Dirk d’Ase’s Einstein, Gomes’ Condor for the Festival, Wolf-Ferrari’s Sly, and Offenbach’s Rheinnixon hailed as “the discovery of the year” by Opernwelt magazine.

    Keith Cerny, the Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO noted: “We’ve assembled a superb cast and off-stage team for our season opening production, to breathe life into an exciting and accessible grand opera that hasn’t been seen on our stage in nearly half a century!

    We are especially pleased to be giving Dallas audiences the chance to personally experience the world-class artistry of Olga Borodina and Clifton Forbis; however, I’m certain patrons will be just as swept away by the power and beauty of this terrific ensemble of principal singers and the amazing Dallas Opera Chorus.

    If any show is guaranteed to bring the house down on opening night—it’s this one!”

    Other members of this cast include Grammy-winning baritone Richard Paul Fink as the High Priest of Dagon, baritone Michael Chioldi in his TDO debut as Abimélech (the Philistine provincial governor), and bass-baritone Ryan Kuster as the Old Hebrew.

    The sets were designed by Peter Dean Beck for Pittsburgh Opera.  Carrie Robbins designed the costumes for San Francisco Opera.  Both will be making their house debuts.  Lighting design is by Allen Burrett and choreography by Nycole Ray, artistic director of Dallas Black Dance Theatre: Encore!, in her Dallas Opera debut.

    As always, chorus preparation is by Dallas Opera Chorus Master Alexander Rom.

    ~~~~

    Student Rush Tickets are available at the door 90 minutes prior to curtain – a valid student ID is required for each ticket purchased.  Contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214.443.1000.  For additional information about the cast, artistic/production team, and synopsis, or to purchase this “hot ticket”—visit www.dallasopera.org today.

    SAMSON & DALILA: SYNOPSIS

    ACT I

    Palestine, 1150 B.C. In a square in Gaza, a group of Hebrews beg Jehovah for relief from their bondage to the Philistines; Samson, their leader, rebukes them for their lack of faith. When the Philistine commander, Abimélech, denounces the Hebrews and their God, Samson kills him and leads the Hebrews away. The High Priest of Dagon comes from the Philistine temple and curses Samson’s prodigious strength, leaving with the slain man’s bier. An Old Hebrew praises the returning Samson. The outer walls of the temple disappear to reveal Samson’s former lover, the Philistine woman Dalila, who invites him to come that night to her nearby dwelling. She and her maidens dance seductively for Samson, who becomes deaf to the Old Hebrew’s dour prophecies.

    ACT II

    In the Valley of Sorek, Dalila calls on her gods to help her ensnare and disarm Samson, promising the High Priest to find a way to render the hero powerless. Samson appears, passionate in spite of himself; when Dalila has him in her power, she feigns disbelief in his constancy and demands that he show his love by confiding in her the secret of his strength, weeping when he refuses. Samson hears rolling thunder as a warning from God but cannot resist following Dalila inside. Not long afterward, having finally learned that the secret of Samson’s strength is his long hair, she calls to hidden Philistine soldiers, who rush in to capture and blind Samson.

    ACT III

    In a dungeon at Gaza, the sightless Samson pushes a grist mill in a circle, praying for his people, who will suffer for his sin. He hears their voices castigating him.  During a bacchanal in the Temple of Dagon, Dalila and the High Priest taunt Samson. When they force him to kneel to Dagon, he asks a boy to lead him to the two main pillars of the temple. Samson prays to Jehovah to restore his strength, and with a mighty effort he pulls down the pillars and the temple, crushing himself and his foes.

    By John W. Freeman – courtesy of Opera News

    ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA

    Founded in 1957, The Dallas Opera is an internationally-recognized innovator dedicated to the overall advancement of the operatic art form and the support of established and emerging artists, as well as the education and development of new opera audiences in North Texas—and beyond.  These goals are achieved by commissioning and producing world-class opera; through groundbreaking institutes, national competitions and topical programs; and by presenting opera in both traditional and non-traditional formats and venues in order to attract patrons of every background, educational level, and ethnicity—while engaging with more than 87,000 people in our community each year.  TDO is equally committed to the task of responsible stewardship and is managed with efficiency and accountability, to the highest possible standards.

    2017-2018 SEASON SPONSOR

    The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family
    ~~~~

    EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA

    IS AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7.  VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG

    FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS

    Contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and PR at suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org

    Or Celeste Hart, Communications Manager at celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

    The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Elsa von Seggern Foundation, Texas Instruments Foundation, the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs; the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).  American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera.  Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera.

    Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News.

    The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by

    Texas Instruments, Lockheed Martin, and

    The Betty and Steve Suellentrop Educational Outreach Fund

    TDO Family Performances are a part of the

    Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs

    TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE 2017-2018 DALLAS OPERA SEASON

    All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise indicated.  Single Tickets range from $19 to $289. Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.

     

    THE DALLAS OPERA 2017-2018 SEASON MAINSTAGE INFORMATION

    The Dallas Opera celebrates its Sixty-First International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated.  English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired.  With the exception of FIRST NIGHT, The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances.

     

    Dancer Audition for SAMSON & DALILA Friday, August 18, 2017

    THE DALLAS OPERA ANNOUNCES AUDITION

    SEEKING DANCERS FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY

    Those with ballet and modern dance experience are highly encouraged to audition.

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    Performers to Appear in SAMSON & DALILA at the Winspear Opera House

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    Audition:  Friday, August 18, 2017, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

    All Auditions at the Dallas Opera Rehearsal Center

                 DALLAS, August 10, 2017 – The Dallas Opera announces a fabulous opportunity to perform in the magnificent Winspear Opera House in the production of SAMSON & DALILA by Camille Saint-Saëns. Talented male and female dancers are needed for the classic opera which opens on Friday, October 20, 2017.

                The Dallas Opera is seeking a wide range of candidates with a solid level of training in dance. Performers with experience in ballet, modern, and other dance styles will be considered. The audition will take place on Friday, August 18, 2017, from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Karayanis Rehearsal Production Center, 4301 S. Fitzhugh, Dallas, TX 75210.

                SAMSON & DALILA will be directed by Bruno Berger-Gorski and choreographed by Nycole Ray of Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Rehearsals begin on September 19, 2017 culminating in five performances on October 20, 22, 25, 28 and November 5, 2017 in the Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

                The performers will be compensated for rehearsal time, provided a per-performance fee and will be issued an AGMA contract.

                 To schedule an audition, send your headshot and resume to Cayley Carroll at cayley.carroll@dallasopera.org. 

                 SAMSON & DALILA is based on the biblical tale and stars internationally renowned Olga Borodina as Dalila, and distinguished Clifton Forbis as Samson. The French composition features the famous bacchanale scene which will feature the dancers. It will be led by acclaimed conductor Emmanuel Villaume.

                The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House is conveniently located in the heart of the Arts District at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201. 

    The Dallas Opera Rehearsal Center, where the auditions will take place, is just outside Fair Park (follow the signs to Gate 12) at 4301 S. Fitzhugh, Dallas, TX 75210.

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    ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA

    Founded in 1957, The Dallas Opera is an internationally-recognized innovator dedicated to the overall advancement of the operatic art form and the support of established and emerging artists, as well as the education and development of new opera audiences in North Texas—and beyond. These goals are achieved by commissioning and producing world-class opera; through ground-breaking institutes, national competitions and topical programs; and by presenting opera in both traditional and non-traditional formats and venues in order to attract patrons of every age, background, educational level, and ethnicity—while engaging with more than 87,000 people in our community each year.  TDO is equally committed to the task of responsible stewardship and is managed with efficiency and accountability, to the highest possible standards.

    ~~~~

    2017-2018 SEASON SPONSOR

    The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family

    ~~~~

    EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA

    IS AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7.  VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG

     

    FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS

    Contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and PR at suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org

    Or Celeste Hart, Communications Manager at celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

     

    The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Elsa von Seggern Foundation; Texas Instruments Foundation; the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs; the Texas Commission on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

    American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News.

     

    The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by

    Texas Instruments, Lockheed Martin, and the Betty and Steve Suellentrop

    Educational Outreach Fund.

     

    TDO Family Performances are a part of the

    Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs

     

    Opera Administrators Chosen for 2017 Hart Institute

    IWC-webbanner-flyer

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    Wednesday, August 9, 2017
    Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart at 214.443.1071
    suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

    The Dallas Opera is Proud to Announce the
    Inaugural Class of Women Administrators
    For the 2017 Linda and Mitch Hart Institute
    ~~~~
    Nov. 5 – 19, 2017 in Dallas, Texas
    ~~~~
    Four Americans Selected for Elite Opera Professional Development Program
    ~~~~
    Distinguished Faculty Include Marin Alsop, Nicole Paiement, Carlo Montanaro, and Alec Treuhaft
    ~~~~
    Initial Support from the Richard and Enika Schulze Foundation Additional Support from
    The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Baker Botts LLP

    DALLAS, AUGUST 9, 2017 – The Dallas Opera is proud to announce the four distinguished professionals selected for the inaugural class of women opera administrators in the newly-expanded Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors and Administrators at The Dallas Opera:
    • Anh Le (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis)
    • Stefanie Mercier (Washington National Opera)
    • Sara Noble (Chautauqua Opera Company)
    • Jennifer Rivera (Long Beach Opera)
    The third annual residency of the Hart Institute is scheduled to take place in Dallas, Texas, from November 5 – 19, 2017.
    Working to address a long-standing career issue in the opera world, The Dallas Opera in 2015 launched a unique, new residential program designed to provide training and career support for distinctively talented women conductors. This year, the goals of the program were expanded to address the needs of American opera administrators.

    “Although women have played vital roles in politics, corporate culture, the front office, and the boardroom for many years, the so-called ‘glass ceiling’ is real,” explains Dallas Opera Chairman Holly Mayer, “and few women occupy the top jobs in our industry. That’s why the Hart Institute for Women Conductors and Administrators is such an important initiative for The Dallas Opera.
    “This relatively new program already has an impressive track record of helping accomplished women achieve their career goals, as shown by the appointments of Lidiya Yankovskaya as Music Director of Chicago Opera Theater and Tianyi Lu as a Dudamel Fellow at the Los Angeles Philharmonic,” Ms. Mayer adds. “The Hart Institute is making a difference in the lives of qualified music professionals—who just happen to be women!”

    For the next six years, TDO will invite between two and four American opera administrators to join the institute each season. These women will be selected on the basis of their potential to become leaders of one of America’s top opera companies later in their careers.
    The selected opera administrators will attend all sessions during the annual fall residency in Dallas. This curriculum includes examining the role of the board, leadership development, personal branding, media and PR training, effective artist management, and navigating the recruiting processes for senior level positions.
    To continue to develop their musical skills, which is essential for any opera executive, the administrators will observe rehearsals with The Dallas Opera Orchestra and conducting master classes by Marin Alsop, The Dallas Opera’s Martha R. and Preston A. Peak Principal Guest Conductor Nicole Paiement, and Italian conductor Carlo Montanaro. Special sessions on Development, Finance, and Marketing will be offered as well.
    One of TDO’s goals is to build a network of talented leaders. In addition to the residency, selected administrators will be invited to participate in quarterly conference calls to continue to develop their personal networks and leadership skills.
    The administrators program will accept applications each spring from women who are either American citizens or green-card holders; there is no age limit. Institute Fellows will receive a stipend, travel, and housing for the duration of this year’s Hart Institute.

    Keith Cerny, The Dallas Opera’s Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO notes: “The Dallas Opera has demonstrated its commitment to reshaping the opera field through the use of innovative public outreach, by exploring new technologies, commissioning new works to expand the operatic repertoire, and programming with passion, courage and imagination.”
    “This already proven program,” Mr. Cerny added, “will enable more women to add to their skills in a wide range of areas, and provide them with the tools to accelerate their careers still further.”

    The institute had vital foundational support from the Richard and Enika Schulze Foundation. Naming support came through the generosity of Linda and Mitch Hart. Additional support for the institute comes from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Baker Botts LLP, Susan and Mark Geyer, Holly and Tom Mayer, Betty and Steve Suellentrop, Martha and Max Wells, and Jenifer and Peter Flynn.

    Marc A. Scorca, President and CEO of OPERA America, earlier remarked: “The Dallas Opera continues to expand its influence and stature among American opera companies, as shown by this exciting new initiative. The company is to be applauded for taking a significant step to remedy the existing gender imbalance on the podium. This effort complements OPERA America’s support of the work of female opera composers and promises to enrich the art form by encouraging more gifted artists to express themselves through opera.”

    ~~~~

    2017 Hart Institute Administrators
    (Inaugural Class)

    ANH LE
    Anh Le is the Publications and Brand Manager at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Prior to moving to St. Louis, she served as the Communications Associate for The Santa Fe Opera and the Associate Director of Marketing at Yale Rep. A lifelong arts lover, she has also worked with companies including the Yale School of Music (New Haven, CT), Opera Holland Park (London), and A.R.T. (Cambridge, MA). Anh received her BA from Harvard University in 2012, where she was awarded the Robert E. Levi Prize for excellence in arts administration. In 2015, she also received an MFA in Theater Management from the Yale School of Drama.
    Anh Le writes: “It is a tremendous honor to be a member of this institute’s inaugural class, and I look forward to two weeks of inspiration, learning, and professional growth next November. I cannot thank The Dallas Opera enough for its flagship commitment to women in our field.”

    STEFANIE MERCIER
    Stefanie Mercier is the Manager of Rehearsal Planning and Artist Services at Washington National Opera, where she oversees the creation of the overall season rehearsal and performance calendar as well as the daily rehearsal schedule. She was responsible for the rehearsal schedule for WNO’s 2016 Ring Cycle, which required three years of advance planning. Stefanie has been a lover of the performing arts since her first ballet lessons at the age of three. She danced with the School of the Richmond Ballet through high school, performing with the professional company annually in The Nutcracker. At the University of Virginia, she served in leadership roles with two student-run arts groups. After earning a bachelor’s degree, she came to WNO as an intern and has held four different staff positions in the past eleven years.
    Stefanie Mercier writes: “I am thrilled to be chosen to participate in the Hart Institute at Dallas Opera this fall. I look forward to joining this diverse network of women and learning from the forward-thinking curriculum to take my career in opera to the next level.”

    SARA NOBLE
    Sara Noble is in her third year as Company and Media Manager for the Chautauqua Opera Company. Since 2013, she has curated the unconventional operatic concert series ‘Home Brewed Opera’ as Executive Producing diva for Opera on Tap’s New York City chapter. For Opera on Tap, Sara produced the world premiere of James Barry’s comedic opera SMASHED: The Carrie Nation Story and scenes from Daniel Felsenfeld’s opera-in-development The Inner Circle. She served three terms as the Executive Secretary for the New York Opera Alliance, and has collaborated with organizations including American Opera Projects, The BEAT Festival, Opera Slavica, and Fifth House Ensemble. Sara is a strong advocate for contemporary classical music as an administrator, producer, and performer based in New York City.
    Sara Noble writes: “I am thrilled to have been chosen for the first Hart Institute for Women Opera Administrators. I have been greatly inspired by Dallas Opera’s commitment to increase diversity and inclusion in the field and look forward to this opportunity to connect with a network of peers and mentors who share those goals.”

    JENNIFER RIVERA
    Two time Grammy nominee Jennifer Rivera has performed leading roles with opera companies on five continents including the Berlin Staatsoper, the Teatro Regio di Torino, and the Dallas Opera among many others. She was selected as the “Debut Artist of the Year” at the New York City Opera and won a Helpmann Award (Australia’s Tony Award) in 2015. She has created leading roles in three world premieres and her discography includes recordings of Agrippina, Il Ritorno D’Ulisse, L’Olimpiade and the soon to be released Becoming Santa Claus. Jennifer has been writing popular essays for the Huffington Post Arts and Culture section since 2012. In the beginning of 2017 she transitioned to a full-time arts administrator, and was named Assistant Director of Development at Long Beach Opera where she is tasked with major gift fundraising.  Jennifer Rivera writes: “I am thrilled to be returning to The Dallas Opera in order to participate in the inaugural Institute for Women Administrators. The leadership at The Dallas Opera has already inspired me a great deal with their commitment to innovation within the opera industry alongside artistic excellence, and I am excited to be challenged and galvanized by leaders within the field in a program geared towards advancing women into leadership positions.”

    ~~~~
    ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
    Founded in 1957, The Dallas Opera is an internationally-recognized innovator dedicated to the overall advancement of the operatic art form and the support of established and emerging artists, as well as the education and development of new opera audiences in North Texas—and beyond. These goals are achieved by commissioning and producing world-class opera; through ground-breaking institutes, national competitions and topical programs; and by presenting opera in both traditional and non-traditional formats and venues in order to attract patrons of every age, background, educational level, and ethnicity—while engaging with more than 87,000 people in our community each year. TDO is equally committed to the task of responsible stewardship and is managed with efficiency and accountability, to the highest possible standards.

    2017-2018 SEASON SPONSOR
    The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family

    ~~~~
    EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
    IS AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7. VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG

    FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS
    Contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and PR at suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
    Or Celeste Hart, Communications Manager at celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

    The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Elsa von Seggern Foundation; Texas Instruments Foundation; the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs; the Texas Commission on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
    American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News.

    TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE 2017-2018 DALLAS OPERA SEASON
    All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise indicated. Single Tickets range from $19 to $289. Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.

    THE DALLAS OPERA 2017-2018 SEASON MAINSTAGE INFORMATION
    The Dallas Opera celebrates its Sixty-First International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired. With the exception of FIRST NIGHT, The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances.

    SAMSON & DALILA by Camille Saint-Saëns
    October 20, 22 (m), 25, 28, and November 5 (m), 2017
    A passionate drama of biblical proportions!
    Libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire
    Time: 1150 B.C.E.
    Place: Ancient Palestine
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Director: Bruno Berger-Gorski*
    Set Designer: Peter Dean Beck*
    Costume Designer: Carrie Robbins*
    Lighting Designer: Alan Burrett
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Choreographer: Nycole Ray*
    Starring: Olga Borodina* (Dalila), Clifton Forbis (Samson), Richard Paul Fink (High Priest of Dagon), Michael Chioldi* (Abimélech) and Ryan Kuster (Old Hebrew)
    A traditional period production from Pittsburgh Opera!

    LA TRAVIATA (“The Fallen Woman”) by Giuseppe Verdi
    October 27, 29 (m), November 1, 4, 10 and 12 (m), 2017
    Come toast the greatest love story in all of opera!
    Time: Mid-19th century
    Place: Paris, France and the French countryside
    Conductor: Carlo Montanaro*
    Original Director: Frank Galati*
    Revival Director: Stefania Panighini**
    Production Designer: Desmond Heeley
    Lighting Designer: Alan Burrett
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Choreographer: John de los Santos
    Starring: Georgia Jarman (Violetta Valery), René Barbera* (Alfredo Germont), Vladislav Sulimsky (Giorgio Germont), Abigail Levis* (Flora Bervoix), Brenton Ryan* (Gastone), Dale Travis (Baron Douphol), Daniel Armstrong* (Marchese D’Obigny), Ryan Kuster (Doctor Grenvil) and Rachel Sterrenberg* (Annina)
    A gorgeous, classic production from Lyric Opera of Chicago!

    A Double Bill!
    THE RING OF POLYKRATES AND VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR
    A sweeping Viennese concerto paired with a charming domestic comedy!
    By Erich Wolfgang Korngold
    February 9, 11 (m), 14 and 17, 2018

    THE RING OF POLYKRATES
    Sumptuous Viennese music laced with orchestral color and wit!
    Libretto by Leo Feld
    Time: Early 20th century
    Place: Vienna, Austria
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Director: Peter Kazaras
    Set Designer: Donald Eastman*
    Costume Designer: Tommy Bourgeois
    Lighting Designer: Krista Billings
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Starring: Paul Groves* (Wilhelm Arndt), Laura Wilde* (Laura), Brenton Ryan (Florian Döbllinger), Susannah Biller* (Lieschen), and Craig Colclough* (Peter Vogel).
    One of the most rarely performed opera gems! In its third professional U.S. production!

    Violin Soloist (KORNGOLD CONCERTO): Augustin Dumay*
    The Dallas Opera Orchestra conducted by Emmanuel Villaume

    SUNKEN GARDEN by Michel van der Aa
    March 9, 11 (m), 14 and 17, 2018
    A phenomenal visual, musical and emotional adventure – live and in 3-D!
    Libretto by David Mitchell
    Time: Present Day
    Place: Unknown
    Conductor: Nicole Paiement
    Director: Michel van der Aa*
    Set Designer: Theun Mosk**
    Costume Designer: Astrid Schulz**
    Lighting Designer: Theun Mosk**
    Sound Designer: Tom Gelissen*
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Starring: Roderick Williams* (Toby Kramer), Katherine Manley* (Zenna Briggs), and Miah Persson* (Iris Marinus).
    Combining live actors with 2-D and 3-D film, to take you where opera has never gone before!

    DON GIOVANNI by W.A. Mozart
    April 13, 15 (m), 18, 21, 27 and 29 (m), 2018
    Mozart’s operatic masterpiece brought vividly to life under the baton of Music Director Emmanuel Villaume!
    Time: 20th century
    Place: Seville, Spain and the surrounding countryside
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Director: Robert Falls*
    Set Designer: Walt Spangler*
    Costume Designer: Ana Kuzmanic*
    Original Lighting Designer: Duane Schuler
    Lighting Designer: Chris Maravich*
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Starring: Mariusz Kwiecie? (Don Giovanni), Laura Claycomb (Donna Anna), David Portillo* (Don Ottavio), Ellie Dehn* (Donna Elvira), Kyle Ketelsen* (Leporello), Virginie Verrez (Zerlina), Craig Verm (Masetto), and Morris Robinson (The Commendatore).
    An evocative and thrilling production from Lyric Opera of Chicago!

    * Dallas Opera Debut
    ** American Debut
    ____________________________________________________________________________________

    ###

    Announcing FIRST NIGHT – Season Opening Events! Presented by Deutsche Bank Wealth Management

    THE DALLAS OPERA FIRST NIGHT FESTIVITIES
    BEGIN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 AT 5:30 PM

    THE MARGOT AND BILL WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE

    AT THE AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

    Red Carpet Arrival

    Gourmet Pre-Performance Dinner
    ~~~~

    The Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance of SAMSON & DALILA
    by Camille Saint-Saëns

    Curtain Time, 8:00 p.m.
    ~~~~

    Dazzling After Party with Cast

    FIRST NIGHT CHAIRS

    Dianne and Mark H. LaRoe

    Honorary Chairs Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger

                DALLAS, July 26, 2017 –The Dallas Opera announces its magnificent kick-off event of the 2017-2018 Season FIRST NIGHT. Dedicated philanthropists Dianne and Mark H. LaRoe chair the festivities and Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger are Honorary Chairs. The Presenting Sponsor is Deutsche Bank Wealth Management.

                The evening begins with a red carpet entrance outside the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. The Pre-Performance Dinner, which starts at 6:00 p.m., will be inspired by the opera Samson & Dalila, and is chaired by Betty and Steve Suellentrop. The event takes place in Sammons Park in an elegant tent, and will be catered by culinary master Wolfgang Puck. Tables for the dinner range from $25,000 to $10,000 with individual tickets available for $1,000. All dinner tickets include After Party tickets. Please visit www.dallasopera.org/firstnight to purchase tickets.

                The Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance of Samson & Dalila by Camille Saint-Saëns begins at 8:00 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House. Tenor Clifton Forbis and Russian mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina—in her eagerly awaited Dallas Opera debut!—portray the doomed twosome, trapped in a love affair of biblical proportions that threatens to “bring the house down!” This mesmerizing jewel of the French Repertoire, not seen on our stage since 1971, will be conducted by Emmanuel Villaume, The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director of The Dallas Opera.

                The dazzling After Party with the cast from 11:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m is certain to be a highlight of the kick-off events with mingling, dining and dancing with the principal performers of Samson & Dalila. The high energy group Dallas String Quartet will be sure to get party-goers shakin’ on the dance floor with their fusion of classical and contemporary music. The quartet performs with both traditional and electric strings with accompaniment from a guitarist, keyboard player and drummer. They have recorded four albums and performed with top acts including Kenny G and Josh Groban. Wolfgang Puck Sweet & Savory will provide more delicious noshes, desserts, coffee and specialty cocktails.

                The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House is located in the heart of the Arts District at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201.

    First-Night-165-Dress by Salvatore Ferragamo; Jewelry by BVLGARI; Photo by Brandon Lyon (640x427)
    Chairs Mark and Dianne LaRoe; Dress by Salvatore Ferragamo; Jewelry by BVLGARI; Photo by Brandon Lyon

                “The fall is such an exciting time in Dallas and opening night of The Dallas Opera will be a pinnacle in the city for the arts! We have a lot of fun and fascination planned for FIRST NIGHT and we invite everyone to join us! The Dallas Opera’s impact here and internationally continues to exceed expectations and the season opening events are a wonderful time to celebrate its success. There are ways for everyone to take part in the splendor, from a $19 ticket to the opera, to sponsoring a table at the Pre-Performance Dinner. We hope to see you there!” said Chair Dianne LaRoe.

                “We have diverse season planned with a combination of treasured classics and lesser-known works, including a United States premiere, and we hope everyone will find inspiration in our 2017-2018 productions. FIRST NIGHT is the culmination of a tremendous amount of planning and preparation, and opening night always gives us much to celebrate! We are very grateful for the hard work and ingenuity of Dianne and Mark in creating spectacular events for us. We appreciate their support, and that of all of our patrons, in continuing to elevate the company’s reputation, locally, nationally, and internationally,” explains Keith Cerny, The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO for The Dallas Opera.

                “David and I are delighted to be the honorary chairs for The Dallas Opera’s splendid season opening events, FIRST SIGHT and FIRST NIGHT. The glamorous festivities and productions are always so memorable year after year, and we know this 61st Season will be no exception. Our city’s world-class Opera is rapidly growing in outreach and impact, and we encourage the entire North Texas community to join us in supporting this spectacular treasure,” said Honorary Chair Nancy A. Nasher.

                “Deutsche Bank continues to be a strong supporter of the arts throughout the world” said Mark LaRoe, Head of the Dallas Private Bank office of Deutsche Bank Wealth Management. “We are so proud to again support FIRST NIGHT at The Dallas Opera and focus on our partnership with the Dallas art community. On a personal note, it is a privilege for Dianne and me to collaborate with such a stellar arts organization.”

                “The beginning of a new season for The Dallas Opera is always an exciting time for this great city. It is an honor and a joy to be part of this two day event, and work with this talented team once again,” said designer Larry Leathers.

    ~~~~

    ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA

    Founded in 1957, The Dallas Opera is an internationally-recognized innovator dedicated to the overall advancement of the operatic art form and the support of established and emerging artists, as well as the education and development of new opera audiences in North Texas—and beyond. These goals are achieved by commissioning and producing world-class opera; through ground-breaking institutes, national competitions and topical programs; and by presenting opera in both traditional and non-traditional formats and venues in order to attract patrons of every age, background, educational level, and ethnicity—while engaging with more than 87,000 people in our community each year.  TDO is equally committed to the task of responsible stewardship and is managed with efficiency and accountability, to the highest possible standards.

    ~~~~

    2017-2018 SEASON SPONSOR

    The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family

    Dallas Opera Single Tickets Go On Sale Monday, July 10

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
    Friday, July 7, 2017
    Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart at 214.443.1071
    suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

    The Dallas Opera is Proud to Announce
    SINGLE TICKETS FOR THE 2017-18 SEASON

    “MOTIVES UNMASKED!”

    GO ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC
    MONDAY, JULY 10TH AT 9 A.M.

    Dallas Opera photo by Maxine Helfman
    Dallas Opera photo by Maxine Helfman

    ~~~~
    Featuring Three Eagerly Awaited Classics
    Samson & Dalila (Oct. 20-Nov. 5, 2017)
    La Traviata (Oct. 27-Nov. 12, 2017) and
    Don Giovanni (April 13-April 29, 2018)
    ~~~~
    Plus the U.S. Premiere of Michel van der Aa’s
    Sunken Garden (March 9-17, 2018)
    And a Delightful Korngold Rarity in its Third U.S. Production
    The Ring of Polykrates (Feb. 9-17, 2018)
    ~~~~
    Tickets Start at Just $19
    ~~~~
    SEASON SPONSOR,
    THE NANCY A. NASHER AND DAVID J. HAEMISEGGER FAMILY

    DALLAS, JULY 7, 2017 – The Dallas Opera is pleased to open single ticket sales for the five outstanding productions of the 2017-2018 “Motives Unmasked!” Season on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. (Central).
    Single tickets starting at just $19 will be available to the general public online at www.dallasopera.org or, by contacting the friendly professionals at The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214-443-1000. Season subscriptions are already available, beginning at $95 for all five mainstage productions.
    The upcoming season of The Dallas Opera mixes classics—and an orchestral favorite—with productions on the cutting edge.
    Considered by many to be the ultimate art form, each opera will feature acclaimed international artists; world-class conductors, directors and designers; the artistry of The Dallas Opera Orchestra and The Dallas Opera Chorus; superb sets and costumes; imaginative technological enhancements—and more—made possible, in part, by the generosity of our season sponsor, The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family.

    “Our 61st International Season, “Motives Unmasked!” will include three beloved classics, a U.S. premiere, an exquisite concerto, and a delightful opera rarity so rare, that we believe it has only had two professional productions in this country since it originally premiered in Munich 100 years ago” explains Keith Cerny, The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO.
    “Great opera will always speak to us, profoundly, as it entertains us.
    “This season, we hope to give Dallas Opera audiences an opportunity to better understand their world through the powerful mediums of music and drama,” Cerny adds. “These five programs, filled with incredible music, remarkable storytelling, visual marvels, and unforgettable performances, will undoubtedly make good on that promise.”

    Every mainstage production will be presented in the magnificent Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, located at 2403 Flora Street in the heart of the Dallas Arts District.
    Each of these amazing operas will be performed in its original language with English-language supertitles projected above the stage for maximum enjoyment.

    2017-2018 DALLAS OPERA SEASON

    SAMSON & DALILA
    By Camille Saint-Saëns
    October 20, 22(m), 25, 28 and November 5(m), 2017
    Tenor Clifton Forbis and Russian mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina—in her eagerly awaited Dallas Opera debut!—portray the doomed twosome, trapped in a love affair of biblical proportions that threatens to “bring the house down”! This mesmerizing jewel of the French Repertoire, not seen on our stage since 1971, will be conducted by Emmanuel Villaume, The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director of The Dallas Opera.

    LA TRAVIATA
    By Giuseppe Verdi
    October 27, 29(m) and November 1, 4, 10 and 12(m), 2017
    Revel in the excitement of 19th century Paris, from private balls to the most intimate soirees! Easily Giuseppe Verdi’s most romantic work, this revival of a magnificent Lyric Opera of Chicago production, originally directed by Frank Galati and designed by Desmond Heeley, is a perennial crowd pleaser. Starring Georgia Jarman and René Barbera as Violetta and her naïve lover, Alfredo. Conducted by Carlo Montanaro in his company debut.

    THE RING OF POLYKRATES
    &
    VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR, OP. 35
    By Erich Wolfgang Korngold
    February 9, 11(m), 14 and 17, 2018
    Revered French violinist Augustin Dumay will be the featured soloist with The Dallas Opera Orchestra for Korngold’s sweeping Violin Concerto. Dumay is considered “an absolute master” (Fanfare) and “a violinist of remarkable individuality” (The Daily Telegraph). Paired with Korngold’s one-act domestic comedy, The Ring of Polykrates, in this once-in-a-lifetime musical event! The stellar ensemble cast includes Paul Groves, Laura Wilde, and Craig Colclough in their Dallas Opera debuts. Directed in this brand-new production by Peter Kazaras and conducted by Emmanuel Villaume.

    SUNKEN GARDEN
    By Michel van der Aa
    March 9, 11(m), 14 and 17, 2018
    Applauded by both critics and audiences as “a fantastical tale to set the ears and eyes popping” Sunken Garden, described by its creator as an “occult mystery film opera,” fuses film and live singers (including 3-D and other visual effects) to deliver what Steve Smith of The New York Times called “a bold, rewarding venture” in contemporary opera performance. Directed by the composer, Michel van der Aa, and conducted by Nicole Paiement, The Martha R. and Preston A. Peak Principal Guest Conductor, in its U.S. Premiere; Sunken Garden stars Roderick Williams, Katherine Manley, and Miah Persson in their TDO debuts.

    DON GIOVANNI
    By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    April 13, 15(m), 18, 21, 27 and 29(m), 2018
    Mozart’s hell-raising masterpiece in the most acclaimed new production of this opera in recent years. Mariusz Kwiecie? stars as the insatiable womanizer who becomes the stuff of legend. William Burnett of Opera Warhorses writes, “Kwiecien was extraordinary, an utterly charming but lethally sociopathic bad boy” in this buzz-worthy interpretation by Robert Falls. The all-star cast includes Laura Claycomb, Ellie Dehn, David Portillo, Kyle Ketelsen, Virginie Verrez, Craig Verm and Morris Robinson.

    “One of the most satisfying perks of being a music director,” observes Maestro Villaume (who will take the podium for the season finale), “is the opportunity to conduct productions that I find of particular interest—musically, dramatically, or both.
    “This season is no exception and I am thrilled to be conducting a masterpiece from the late Classical Period, a splendid example of 19th century French Romanticism, and a pair of works from the neo-Romantic Viennese School of the early 20th century.
    “I sincerely hope, when you leave these performances—even if you only experience one or two—that you will feel just as passionate about opera as we do.”

    ~~~~

    ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
    Founded in 1957, The Dallas Opera is an internationally-recognized innovator dedicated to the overall advancement of the operatic art form and the support of established and emerging artists, as well as the education and development of new opera audiences in North Texas—and beyond. These goals are achieved by commissioning and producing world-class opera; through ground-breaking institutes, national competitions and topical programs; and by presenting opera in both traditional and non-traditional formats and venues in order to attract patrons of every background, educational level, and ethnicity—while engaging with more than 87,000 people in our community each year. TDO is equally committed to the task of responsible stewardship and is managed with efficiency and accountability, to the highest possible standards.

    2017-2018 SEASON SPONSOR
    The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family

    ~~~~

    EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
    IS AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7. VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG

    FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS
    Contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and PR at suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
    Or Celeste Hart, Communications Manager at celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

    The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by
    Texas Instruments, Lockheed Martin, and the Betty and Steve Suellentrop
    Educational Outreach Fund.

    TDO Family Performances are a part of the
    Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs

    TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE 2017-2018 DALLAS OPERA SEASON
    All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise indicated. Single Tickets range from $19 to $289. Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.

    THE DALLAS OPERA 2017-2018 SEASON MAINSTAGE INFORMATION
    The Dallas Opera celebrates its Sixty-First International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired. With the exception of FIRST NIGHT, The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances.

    SAMSON & DALILA by Camille Saint-Saëns
    October 20, 22 (m), 25, 28, and November 5 (m), 2017
    A passionate drama of biblical proportions!
    Libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire
    Time: 1150 B.C.E.
    Place: Ancient Palestine
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Director: Bruno Berger-Gorski*
    Set Designer: Peter Dean Beck*
    Costume Designer: Carrie Robbins*
    Lighting Designer: Alan Burrett
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Choreographer: Nycole Ray*
    Starring: Olga Borodina* (Dalila), Clifton Forbis (Samson), Richard Paul Fink (High Priest of Dagon), Michael Chioldi* (Abimélech) and Ryan Kuster (Old Hebrew)
    A traditional period production from Pittsburgh Opera!

    LA TRAVIATA (“The Fallen Woman”) by Giuseppe Verdi
    October 27, 29 (m), November 1, 4, 10 and 12 (m), 2017
    Come toast the greatest love story in all of opera!
    Time: Mid-19th century
    Place: Paris, France and the French countryside
    Conductor: Carlo Montanaro*
    Original Director: Frank Galati*
    Revival Director: Stefania Panighini**
    Production Designer: Desmond Heeley
    Lighting Designer: Alan Burrett
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Choreographer: John de los Santos
    Starring: Georgia Jarman (Violetta Valery), René Barbera* (Alfredo Germont), Vladislav Sulimsky (Giorgio Germont), Abigail Levis* (Flora Bervoix), Brenton Ryan* (Gastone), Dale Travis (Baron Douphol), Daniel Armstrong* (Marchese D’Obigny), Ryan Kuster (Doctor Grenvil) and Rachel Sterrenberg* (Annina)
    A gorgeous, classic production from Lyric Opera of Chicago!

    A Double Bill!
    VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR & THE RING OF POLYKRATES
    A sweeping Viennese concerto paired with a charming domestic comedy!
    By Erich Wolfgang Korngold
    February 9, 11 (m), 14 and 17, 2018

    Violin Soloist (KORNGOLD CONCERTO): Augustin Dumay*
    The Dallas Opera Orchestra conducted by Emmanuel Villaume

    THE RING OF POLYKRATES
    Sumptuous Viennese music laced with orchestral color and wit!
    Libretto by Leo Feld
    Time: Early 20th century
    Place: Vienna, Austria
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Director: Peter Kazaras
    Set Designer: Donald Eastman*
    Costume Designer: Tommy Bourgeois
    Lighting Designer: Krista Billings
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Starring: Paul Groves* (Wilhelm Arndt), Laura Wilde* (Laura), Brenton Ryan (Florian Döbllinger), Susannah Biller* (Lieschen), and Craig Colclough* (Peter Vogel).
    One of the most rarely performed opera gems! In its third professional U.S. production!

    SUNKEN GARDEN by Michel van der Aa
    March 9, 11 (m), 14 and 17, 2018
    A phenomenal visual, musical and emotional adventure – live and in 3-D!
    Libretto by David Mitchell
    Time: Present Day
    Place: Unknown
    Conductor: Nicole Paiement
    Director: Michel van der Aa*
    Set Designer: Theun Mosk**
    Costume Designer: Astrid Schulz**
    Lighting Designer: Theun Mosk**
    Sound Designer: Tom Gelissen*
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Starring: Roderick Williams* (Toby Kramer), Katherine Manley* (Zenna Briggs), and Miah Persson* (Iris Marinus).
    Combining live actors and 2-D and 3-D film, to take you where opera has never gone before!

    DON GIOVANNI by W.A. Mozart
    April 13, 15 (m), 18, 21, 27 and 29 (m), 2018
    Mozart’s operatic masterpiece brought vividly to life under the baton of Music Director Emmanuel Villaume!
    Time: 20th century
    Place: Seville, Spain and the surrounding countryside
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Director: Robert Falls*
    Set Designer: Walt Spangler*
    Costume Designer: Ana Kuzmanic*
    Original Lighting Designer: Duane Schuler
    Lighting Designer: Chris Maravich*
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Starring: Mariusz Kwiecien (Don Giovanni), Laura Claycomb (Donna Anna), David Portillo* (Don Ottavio), Ellie Dehn* (Donna Elvira), Kyle Ketelsen* (Leporello), Virginie Verrez (Zerlina), Craig Verm (Masetto), and Morris Robinson (The Commendatore).
    An evocative and thrilling production from Lyric Opera of Chicago!

    * Dallas Opera Debut
    ** American Debut
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    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.

    ###

    Dallas Opera Announces 2017 Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year

    Marina Costa-Jackson in her award-winning role as Adalgisa in The Dallas Opera’s NORMA.  Photo by Karen Almond, Dallas OperaNormaFinal_170 (640x427)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
    Thursday, June 15, 2017
    Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart at 214.443.1071
    suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

    THE DALLAS OPERA IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
    AMERICAN SOPRANO
    MARINA COSTA-JACKSON

    HONORED TONIGHT AS THE 2017
    “MARIA CALLAS DEBUT ARTIST OF THE YEAR”
    ~~~~
    SINGER RAISED IN PALERMO, ITALY, CAPTIVATED NORTH TEXAS AUDIENCES WITH HER
    BEAUTIFULLY SUNG, DRAMATICALLY COMPELLING PERFORMANCES IN NORMA

    DALLAS, JUNE 15, 2017 – The Dallas Opera is delighted to announce the winner of the 2017 “Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year” Award: luminous Italian-American soprano Marina Costa-Jackson.
    This prestigious award, named after one of the most renowned opera artists of the 20th century, is given to a single performer each season in recognition of a particularly memorable and outstanding company debut. The winner was announced earlier this evening at the annual Dallas Opera Board and Trustee Appreciation Dinner held in the Crescent Ballroom of the Hotel Crescent Court in Dallas, TX.
    Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, but raised in Palermo, Italy, the vocally gifted and strikingly beautiful artist initially resisted the idea of following in the footsteps of two successful sisters who sing opera. That changed when Marina Costa-Jackson was admitted into the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and advanced through various competitions to become the Metropolitan Opera National Council winner (2015), winner of the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation International Vocal Competition (2015) and the second place winner of the 2016 Operalia.
    In recent years, she has also performed in concert overseas with Dmitri Hvorostovsky and with Andrea Bocelli at Madison Square Garden.
    Responding to her recent portrayal of Mimi in Welsh National Opera’s production of La Bohème, critic Nigel Jarrett for Wales Art Review proclaimed that Ms. Costa-Jackson “was the real find here. She’s clearly a powerhouse, her voice beautifully modulated to reflect Mimi’s tubercular character.” Bachtrack’s Rohan Shotton expressed awe at her “wonderfully full, rich tone…By the end of Act IV, she was almost translucent in her consumption but demanded one’s attention at the centre of the drama.”

    Here in Dallas, critics responded to her TDO debut as the conflicted young priestess, Adalgisa, in our April/May production of Bellini’s Norma, with unbridled enthusiasm:
    “Marina Costa-Jackson proved to be a gloriously-voiced Adalgisa,” wrote William Burnett of Opera Warhorses. “She was hauntingly beautiful in the passages that begin Mira, o Norma, the most famous of Adalgisa’s great duets with Norma…Costa-Jackson perfectly matched Elza van den Heever’s vocal fireworks.”
    Reviewing for The Dallas Morning News, Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell noted, “as the junior priestess Adalgisa, (Costa-Jackson) is, if anything, even more powerful vocally, with a brilliant, but never cutting, edge on her soprano: she can also buff off the gleam for a warm satin finish.”
    Monica Smart, reviewing for the Dallas Observer, found her the perfect complement to Elza van den Heever’s Norma: “The lightness and delicacy of Costa-Jackson’s singing, with its floating and spinning high note, was a perfect balance to van den Heever. Each made the other’s performance shine and their stunning duet was a high point of the evening.”

    “Patrons flocked to our first Norma keenly anticipating Elza van den Heever’s acclaimed mastery of the title role,” explained Keith Cerny, The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO, “but Marina Costa-Jackson added an extra element of surprise to these performances with her extraordinarily nuanced acting and thrilling vocalism.
    “Dramatically, she proved to be a breathtaking ‘mirror image’ of the anguished and more world-weary high priestess, and Adalgisa’s emotional struggle to balance love and loyalty had wrenching impact in Miss Costa-Jackson’s expressive and sympathetic portrayal.
    “I’m not at all surprised,” Cerny added, “that our subscribers were moved to select her for this prestigious award.”

    ~~~~

    The voting for the Callas Award was conducted entirely online by electronic ballot and was open to season subscribers only. The results were verified by the independent accounting firm of Armanino, L.L.P.
    The winner will receive a beautiful etched-crystal plaque created by award-winning designers from Tiffany & Co. for The Dallas Opera. The plaque bears the likeness of The Dallas Opera’s unofficial Godmother, Greek soprano Maria Callas. “La Divina” launched The Dallas Opera with a 1957 recital at the Music Hall in Fair Park and continued to grace TDO’s stage in those early years with a series of now-legendary performances.

    The 2017 award recipient responded to the news, by email, with a statement read to the dinner guests this evening by General Director and CEO Keith Cerny:

    “Debuting with The Dallas Opera as Adalgisa was a dream come true!

    Now, the unexpected honor of being selected as the 2017 recipient of the Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year Award has left me breathless! “La Divina” has long been my inspiration—a figure who fuels my passion and aspirations as a singer.
    I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the outstanding Dallas Opera season subscribers for this expression of support and encouragement. Throughout the run of Norma, I felt the Dallas audiences exhibited such incredible warmth and receptiveness. Thank you to the Dallas Opera for allowing me to participate in that joy!

    Again, with abundant gratitude and love to all, I remain humbly yours,

    Marina Costa-Jackson
    ~~~~

    Ms. Costa-Jackson’s upcoming engagements include performances this summer at Paris National Opera in the role of Micaëla in Carmen, followed by star turns as Violetta in Cologne Opera’s La Traviata, Fiordiligi in Seattle Opera’s production of Così Fan Tutte (with sister Ginger Costa-Jackson singing the role of Dorabella), and Maria in the bel canto rarity, Maria di Rohan, for Washington Concert Opera.

    There were twenty-one additional 2016-2017 Season nominees for the Callas Award (artists making outstanding company debuts in a principal role)—listed below in alphabetical order:

    ADDITIONAL NOMINEES FOR 2017 MARIA CALLAS AWARD

    Svetlana Aksenova – “Tatyana” – Eugene Onegin
    Lindsay Ammann – “Quartet” – Arjuna’s Dilemma
    Emma Bell – “The Governess” – The Turn of the Screw
    Tony Boutté – “Arjuna” – Arjuna’s Dilemma
    Jacqueline Echols – “Pip” – Moby-Dick
    Ashley Emerson – “Flora” – The Turn of the Screw
    Katrina Galka – “Quartet” – The Turn of the Screw
    Hui He – “Cio-Cio-San” – Madame Butterfly
    Humayun Khan – “Krishna” – Arjuna’s Dilemma
    Yonghoon Lee – “Pollione” – Norma
    Alexandra LoBianco – “Miss Jessel” – The Turn of the Screw
    Alyssa Martin – “Quartet” – Arjuna’s Dilemma
    Mithra Mastropierro – “Clotilde” – Norma
    Peter McGillvray – “Stubb” – Moby-Dick
    Lucas Meachem – “Sharpless” – Madame Butterfly
    Oliver Nathanielsz – “Miles” – The Turn of the Screw
    Musa Ngqungwana – “Queequeg” – Moby-Dick
    Kai Rüütel – “Olga” – Eugene Onegin
    Reginald Smith, Jr. – “The Bonze” – Madame Butterfly
    Gianluca Terranova – “B. F. Pinkerton” – Madame Butterfly
    Dolora Zajick – “Mrs. Grose” – The Turn of the Screw

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    The “Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year Award” was launched during the 1991-1992 Dallas Opera Season.
    The first recipient was Sharon Sweet for her impressive performance in the title role of Aida. The list of subsequent winners reads like an opera’s “Who’s Who” from Susan Graham, Cecilia Bartoli, Mary Dunleavy, Elizabeth Futral, Hei-Kyung Hong, Denyce Graves, Indira Mahajan, Mary Mills, Patricia Racette, Latonia Moore, Christopher Ventris, Catherine Naglestad, James Valenti, and Ben Heppner, to Greek-born Soprano Myrtò Papatanasiu (Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata), mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard (Rosina in The Barber of Seville), Ekaterina Scherbachenko (the title role in Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta) and last year’s winner, superstar mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato for the title role in Great Scott, a 2015 Dallas Opera world premiere by Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally.

    ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
    Founded in 1957, The Dallas Opera is an internationally-recognized innovator dedicated to the overall advancement of the operatic art form and the support of established and emerging artists, as well as the education and development of new opera audiences in North Texas—and beyond. These goals are achieved by commissioning and producing world-class opera; through groundbreaking institutes, national competitions and topical programs; and by presenting opera in both traditional and non-traditional formats and venues in order to attract patrons of every background, educational level, and ethnicity—while engaging with more than 87,000 people in our community each year. TDO is equally committed to the task of responsible stewardship and is managed with efficiency and accountability, to the highest possible standards.

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    2017-2018 SEASON SPONSOR
    The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family

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    EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
    IS AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7. VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG

    FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS
    Contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and PR at suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
    Or Celeste Hart, Communications Manager at celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

    The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by
    Texas Instruments, Lockheed Martin, and the Betty and Steve Suellentrop
    Educational Outreach Fund.

    TDO Family Performances are a part of the
    Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs

    TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE 2017-2018 DALLAS OPERA SEASON
    All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise indicated. Single Tickets range from $19 to $289. Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.

    THE DALLAS OPERA 2017-2018 SEASON MAINSTAGE INFORMATION
    The Dallas Opera celebrates its Sixty-First International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired. With the exception of FIRST NIGHT, The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances.

    SAMSON & DALILA by Camille Saint-Saëns
    October 20, 22 (m), 25, 28, and November 5 (m), 2017
    A passionate drama of biblical proportions!
    Libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire
    Time: 1150 B.C.E.
    Place: Ancient Palestine
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Director: Bruno Berger-Gorski*
    Set Designer: Peter Dean Beck*
    Costume Designer: Carrie Robbins*
    Lighting Designer: Alan Burrett
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Choreographer: Nycole Ray
    Starring: Olga Borodina* (Dalila), Clifton Forbis (Samson), Richard Paul Fink (High Priest of Dagon), Michael Chioldi* (Abimélech) and Ryan Kuster (Old Hebrew)
    A traditional period production from Pittsburgh Opera!

    LA TRAVIATA (“The Fallen Woman”) by Giuseppe Verdi
    October 27, 29 (m), November 1, 4, 10 and 12 (m), 2017
    Come toast the greatest love story in all of opera!
    Time: Mid-19th century
    Place: Paris, France and the French countryside
    Conductor: Carlo Montanaro*
    Original Director: Frank Galati*
    Revival Director: Stefania Panighini**
    Production Designer: Desmond Heeley
    Lighting Designer: Alan Burrett
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Choreographer: John de los Santos
    Starring: Georgia Jarman (Violetta Valery), René Barbera* (Alfredo Germont), Vladislav Sulimsky (Giorgio Germont), Abigail Levis* (Flora Bervoix), Brenton Ryan* (Gastone), Dale Travis (Baron Douphol), Daniel Armstrong* (Marchese D’Obigny), Ryan Kuster (Doctor Grenvil) and Rachel Sterrenberg* (Annina)
    A gorgeous, classic production from Lyric Opera of Chicago!

    VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR & THE RING OF POLYKRATES
    A sweeping Viennese concerto paired with a charming domestic comedy!
    By Erich Wolfgang Korngold
    February 9, 11 (m), 14 and 17, 2018

    Violin Soloist (KORNGOLD CONCERTO): Augustin Dumay*
    The Dallas Opera Orchestra conducted by Emmanuel Villaume

    THE RING OF POLYKRATES
    Sumptuous Viennese music laced with orchestral color and wit!
    Libretto by Leo Feld
    Time: Early 20th century
    Place: Vienna, Austria
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Director: Peter Kazaras
    Set Designer: Donald Eastman*
    Costume Designer: Tommy Bourgeois
    Lighting Designer: Krista Billings
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Starring: Paul Groves* (Wilhelm Arndt), Laura Wilde* (Laura), Brenton Ryan (Florian Döbllinger), Susannah Biller* (Lieschen), and Craig Colclough* (Peter Vogel).
    One of the most rarely performed opera gems! In its third professional U.S. production!

    SUNKEN GARDEN by Michel van der Aa
    March 9, 11 (m), 14 and 17, 2018
    A phenomenal visual, musical and emotional adventure – live and in 3-D!
    Libretto by David Mitchell
    Time: Present Day
    Place: Unknown
    Conductor: Nicole Paiement
    Director: Michel van der Aa*
    Set Designer: Theun Mosk**
    Costume Designer: Astrid Schulz**
    Lighting Designer: Theun Mosk**
    Sound Designer: Tom Gelissen*
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Starring: Roderick Williams* (Toby Kramer), Katherine Manley* (Zenna Briggs), and Miah Persson* (Iris Marinus).
    Combining live actors and 2-D and 3-D film, to take you where opera has never gone before!

    DON GIOVANNI by W.A. Mozart
    April 13, 15 (m), 18, 21, 27 and 29 (m), 2018
    Mozart’s operatic masterpiece brought vividly to life under the baton of Music Director Emmanuel Villaume!
    Time: 20th century
    Place: Seville, Spain and the surrounding countryside
    Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
    Director: Robert Falls*
    Set Designer: Walt Spangler*
    Costume Designer: Ana Kuzmanic*
    Original Lighting Designer: Duane Schuler
    Lighting Designer: Chris Maravich*
    Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
    Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
    Starring: Mariusz Kwiecie? (Don Giovanni), Laura Claycomb (Donna Anna), David Portillo* (Don Ottavio), Ellie Dehn* (Donna Elvira), Kyle Ketelsen* (Leporello), Virginie Verrez (Zerlina), Craig Verm (Masetto), and Morris Robinson (The Commendatore).
    An evocative and thrilling production from Lyric Opera of Chicago!

    * 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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