Six Women Selected for Institute for Women Conductors!

103 Applicants for Elite Program; Institute Makes Room for Four Additional Women Conductors to Observe

An International Inaugural Session of The Institute for Women Conductors At The Dallas Opera

Nov. 28 – Dec. 6, 2015

~~~~

Launched with Generous Support from the Richard and Enika Schulze Foundation

DALLAS, JUNE 5, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is proud to announce the names of the six distinguished professionals selected to participate in the inaugural session of the Institute for Women Conductors at The Dallas Opera:

Jennifer Condon (Australia/Germany)
Jessica Gethin (Australia)
Natalie Murray Beale (UK)
Stephanie Rhodes (USA)
Anna Skryleva (Russia/Germany)
Lidiya Yankovskaya (USA)

Working to address a long-standing career issue in the opera world, The Dallas Opera is launching a unique, new residential program designed to provide training and career support for distinctively talented women conductors. Female conductors age forty and younger, as well as accomplished women singers, opera coaches and accompanists, and instrumentalists with established careers seeking a new career at the podium, were encouraged to apply.

A total of 103 women conductors and professional musicians heeded the call and applied by the April 15^th deadline. Of that number, nearly half the applicants (44%) came from the United States. Other nations making a strong showing included Germany, Italy, Israel and Taiwan (followed by Greece, Canada, Australia and Spain).

Applicants from 27 countries included principal and assistant conductors, concertmasters and music staff from top-ranked symphonies, opera companies, and conservatories.

“As a female conductor,” explained IWC Fellow Anna Skryleva, “I’m interested, of course, in programs supporting women—there are still so few of them; I don’t know of any other program of this type in the opera field. These days in Dallas promise to be very intensive.”

Jennifer Condon heartily agreed, writing: “The Dallas Opera’s recognition of the need for encouragement and support of women conductors is fabulous. The programme – so generously offered – touches on all aspects relevant to a career in conducting. So far as I am aware, there is no programme of its kind anywhere else in the world.

“I simply leapt at the chance to be included.”

“I was so thrilled to see The Dallas Opera offer such an innovative initiative for female conductors to further develop their opera skills on the podium,” responded Jessica Gethin. “As a young, female, Australian conductor based in Perth, the opportunity to be a part of the inaugural Institute for Women Conductors is invaluable at this stage of my conducting career.

“Through a generous combination of intense masterclasses on the podium with international mentors, seminars on the challenges we face within the industry and networking opportunities provided, I am looking forward to developing my technical skills and broadening my repertoire knowledge in a uniquely supportive environment and earning my place as an alumna in this brilliant and vital program, watching it grow and nurture the careers of many female conductors from around the world.

“I can’t wait to get my hands on the scores,” added Ms. Gethin, “and head over to the other side of the globe to get started!”

This new institute will be inaugurated on November 28, 2015 and run through December 6, 2015, with key support from the Richard and Enika Schulze Foundation.

The IWC will consist of master classes and one-on-ones with Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume and Principal Guest Conductor Nicole Paiement; seminars, discussions, and networking opportunities; as well as the chance to conduct The Dallas Opera Orchestra in a public concert performance the evening of December 5, 2015 onstage in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, Texas.

When asked what she hoped to gain from the experience, Stephanie Rhodes replied: “Everything! The insights of both Emmanuel Villaume and Nicole Paiement into conducting technique, interpretation, and the various business aspects of the profession are something I imagine will be invaluable, given the wealth of experience they bring to the table.

“I’m particularly looking forward to building relationships with fellow female conductors,” Ms. Rhodes added, “as I think the support, strength, and perspective we can offer each other now will be critical throughout our careers.”

IWC Fellow Natalie Murray Beale expressed similar sentiments: “This program is a vital acknowledgement of female conducting talent and a rare opportunity for women conductors.

“I have great hopes to develop my conducting at the Institute for Women Conductors at The Dallas Opera and to make new, positive working relationships with artists and managers alike. I look forward,” she added, “to emerging a stronger and more visible conductor.”

In addition to the six Institute participants, four more conductors – all from the United States – have been invited to observe the proceedings. They are: Arianne Abela, Luçik Aprahämian, Avlana Eisenberg and Co Boi Nguyen.

Those attending will also be encouraged to take part in an annual two-day networking event, beginning in the summer of 2016.

Stated Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny: “The Dallas Opera has demonstrated, in multiple ways, 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 and imagination.”

“This much-needed program,” Mr. Cerny added, “will enable more women conductors to add their talents and insights to our collective understanding of this art form, while encouraging conversation about the necessity of women in leadership roles.”

The Dallas Opera’s Principal Guest Conductor, Nicole Paiement, who also serves as the Artistic Director and Conductor for San Francisco’s renowned contemporary opera company, Opera Parallèle, commented, “In tandem with my work as a professional conductor, I have spent many years striving to develop and support exceptional young talent, both onstage and in the orchestra pit. I am tremendously pleased to be able to continue this aspect of my career in a leadership role here in Dallas, and to be responsible for guiding each carefully selected group through this newly developed Dallas Opera program.

“The women taking part in this program will have the all-too-rare opportunity to observe another woman in this leadership role, “ Paiement added, “something that, regrettably, I never experienced in my early career as I sought role models from among my professional peers. I sincerely hope my work with the women in this institute can serve as a source of both valuable insights and inspiration.”

Marc A. Scorca, President and CEO of OPERA America, 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.”

Lidiya Yankovskaya, another IWC Fellow, wrote: “The Dallas Opera is known for doing innovative and exciting work that has placed the company at the forefront of American Opera and continues to inspire many within the field, myself included. I relish the opportunity to see this work from the inside and to learn from the company’s phenomenal leadership.

“Taking part in Dallas Opera’s program for Women Conductors will be crucial in giving me the push I need to gain exposure and move forward into more regular high-level work in the opera world. The institute will not only provide the opportunity to receive experience working with the company’s fantastic artists and feedback on my work, but it also represents a chance to gain exposure, and to discover how to make the leap into the next career level.”

Internationally renowned Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume observed: “No conductor ever stands at the podium alone. We raise our baton with those who came before us, and those who will follow in our footsteps.

“It takes a lifetime to become completely at home on the podium,” Villaume adds. “It was my privilege to be guided and taught by geniuses like Spiros Argiris and Seiji Ozawa, who, in turn, always quoted their own masters. In fact, they claimed that, only near the end of their performing careers, did they entirely understand some of the comments and advice they received from their mentors.

“We are always trying to perfect our work. I feel I am now at a place in my career, where I can begin to effectively share my experiences with the next generation of conductors.”

~~~~

2015 IWC FELLOWS:

JENNIFER CONDON (Australia/Germany)

Jennifer Condon has been passionate about opera from an absurdly young age – since her teens she has been fortunate to have fellow Australian, Simone Young, as mentor. Jennifer studied piano in Sydney, and conducting in Melbourne and Vienna before commencing work as a souffleuse at the Hamburg State Opera in 2008. She now has a repertoire of over 55 operas. During her time in Hamburg, Jennifer also brought Peggy Glanville-Hicks’ opera Sappho (1963) from the composer’s hand-written manuscript to the recording studio. The CD, with an eminent cast including Deborah Polaski, Sir John Tomlinson and Wolfgang Koch with the Gulbenkian Orchestra, has been released to considerable critical acclaim. Jennifer lives in Berlin and works as a free-lance vocal coach and prompt as she pursues a conducting career. Assistant conducting engagements to date include Lohengrin in Zurich and Salome in Vienna. Future engagements include Reimann’s Lear in Budapest and Ariadne auf Naxos in Tokyo.

JESSICA GETHIN (Australia)

Australian-born conductor Jessica Gethin has won praise from audiences and critics alike for her dynamic energy, outstanding musicianship and abounding presence on the podium. A graduate of the exclusive Symphony Australia Conductor Development Program, Ms. Gethin commenced her official appointment as Chief Conductor of the Perth Symphony Orchestra (Perth, Australia) in 2011. Jessica Gethin has performed on stages throughout Europe, USA, UK, Canada, Asia and Australia as conductor, concert presenter, program writer, orchestrator, guest lecturer, music educator and adjudicator. With a diverse background working across a variety of genres ranging from classical, jazz, opera and ballet to musical theatre, contemporary and film score; Jessica has recorded for numerous CDs, television documentaries, live radio broadcasts and television commercials. Artist collaborations include conducting Welsh bass baritone Bryn Terfel, Divinyl’s Chrissy Amphlette, The Ten Tenors, soprano Rachelle Durkin, Australian screen star Lisa McCune, soprano Marina Prior, tenor David Hobson, jazz trumpeter James Morrison and Dutch violinist Rudolf Koelman, to name a few. Ms. Gethin currently resides in Western Australia with her husband and two children.

NATALIE MURRAY BEALE (UK)

Conductor Natalie Murray Beale is a BBC Performing Arts Fund Fellow and is being mentored by Esa-Pekka Salonen. She has performed with the Welsh National Opera, Opera Holland Park, Spitalfields Festival, Chamber Orchestra of London and the City of London Sinfonia. Ms. Murray Beale has also gained valuable experience as Assistant Conductor for the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Festival d’Aix, Wiener Festwochen and Den Nye Opera with the Philharmonia, Bergen Philharmonic, B’Rock Orchestra, Le Cercle de l’Harmonie and the Freiburger Barockorchester. Previous positions include serving on the music staff of Welsh National Opera; as coach at the Royal Opera House, Young Artist Programme; and as Guest Chorus Director of London Symphony Chorus.

Ms. Murray Beale enjoys collaborating with composers and recently conducted the soundtracks to the video game Alien:Isolation (BAFTA nominated) and the British film Robot Overlords. Her performances of the new opera, We are Shadows, received a Royal Philharmonic Society award. This year she will make her debuts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

STEPHANIE RHODES (USA)

Stephanie Rhodes is a renowned opera collaborator, having served on the music staff of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, The Dallas Opera, Houston Grand Opera, LA Opera, San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera and Wolf Trap Opera, amongst others. She has garnered experience as a conductor, assistant conductor, prompter, chorus master, rehearsal pianist, orchestral keyboardist and diction coach. This summer she joins the Miami Summer Music Festival as the Studio Program Director and conductor of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, additionally participating as a fellow in the festival’s Orchestral Conducting Institute. As a Fulbright award recipient, Ms. Rhodes spent the 2012/13 season in Moscow specializing in Russian repertoire and pronunciation for non-native singers. She was recently commissioned by The Dallas Opera to transliterate Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta and is currently working on a book to standardize Russian diction for singers. An alum of the Houston Grand Opera Studio and San Francisco’s Merola Opera program, she holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Utah State University in Collaborative Piano and Piano Performance.

ANNA SKRYLEVA (Russia/Germany)

Russian conductor Anna Skryleva has lived and worked in Germany for the past 15 years. Currently, Ms. Skryleva is engaged as principal resident conductor at The State Theatre, Darmstadt, in addition to performing as a concert pianist and a chamber musician in Russia, other European nations and Mexico. Anna Skryleva’s career as a conductor began in 2002 in Karlsruhe, where she was engaged at the Music College as music assistant of the conductor Prof. Alicja Mounk. From 2007 to 2012, Anna Skryleva was engaged at the State Opera Hamburg as musical assistant of Simone Young, where she acquired a wide repertoire, from German Romanticism to Italian bel canto to modern music of the 20th century. After successfully conducting Richard Strauss’ Salome at the State Theatre Darmstadt in 2013, Anna Skryleva was named Darmstadt’s Principal Resident Conductor. Since then, she has conducted new productions and revivals of works including Otello, Tristan und Isolde, Il trittico, Madame Butterfly, La traviata and many more. The German publication Main-Echo named Anna Skryleva “Person of the Year 2013.” Earlier this year, she was nominated for the “Emotion Award 2015” in the Category “Women in Leadership”; winners will be announced later this month.

LIDIYA YANKOVSKAYA (USA)

Lidiya Yankovskaya’s recent work as a symphonic and opera conductor has been hailed as “superb,” “expert,” and “coax[ing] every possible expressive note from the instrumentalists.” Currently, Ms. Yankovskaya serves as Music Director of Harvard University’s Lowell House Opera, Artistic Director of Juventas New Music Ensemble, and Music Director with Commonwealth Lyric Theater. She also works regularly with Gotham Chamber Opera, Center for Contemporary Opera, and New York Lyric Opera. Last summer, Ms. Yankovskaya served as a conducting fellow under renowned conductor Lorin Maazel at the Castleton Festival, where she had the privilege of assisting Maestro Maazel and filled in for him regularly in rehearsal and performance. Recent productions have received multiple awards ranging from The American Prize to the National Opera Association Award. In addition to her work as a conductor, Lidiya is a pianist and coach, recently serving as Music Director for Opera Boston’s education tours. Presently, she is working as a Russian Diction Coach and occasional rehearsal conductor for Tanglewood Festival Chorus (the chorus of the Boston Symphony). www.LidiyaYankovskaya.com

~~~~

2015 IWC OBSERVERS:

ARIANNE ABELA (USA)

Known for her work promoting charitable organizations, conductor Arianne Abela has appeared on NBC’s Today Show and America’s Got Talent as artistic director of “3 Penny,” a non-profit chorus and orchestra, and co-founder of “House of Clouds.” Arianne served as music director of Saybrook College Orchestra and has conducted the Yale Symphony Orchestra, Wesleyan University Orchestra and the Vidin State Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria. As a chorusmaster, Abela has prepared choirs for Michael Tilson Thomas, Leonard Slatkin, Rafael Payare, and Martin Katz, as well as for the University of Michigan Opera in productions of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. As a soloist and professional ensemble singer, Abela has performed with major ensembles across North America, Europe and Asia. Abela is currently a doctoral candidate in conducting at the University of Michigan under the tutelage of Jerry Blackstone. She holds a master’s degree in conducting from Yale University and a bachelor’s degree from Smith College.

LUÇIK APRAHÄMIAN (USA)

Luçik Aprahämian’s versatility as a conductor makes her equally at home in front of an orchestra, leading a vocal ensemble, or guiding outstanding performances on the opera stage. With her profound passion for opera, Dr. Aprahämian has served as co-artistic director of Southern Arizona Opera, worked with Opera Parallèle and Bayshore Lyric Opera (both located in the Bay area), and served as assistant conductor and director of the Opera Theatre Program at the University of California at Santa Cruz. She is an avid exponent of new music and has commissioned and premiered works for choir, orchestra, and opera with ensembles in the Bay Area and Arizona. Recent premieres include Andrew Pascoe’s opera, God: The Opera and David Evan Jones’s chamber opera, The Rehearsal. Dr. Aprahämian received her bachelor’s degree in fortepiano performance practice, as well as a master’s degree in conducting, from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She pursued additional graduate studies to earn her doctorate in conducting from the University of Arizona.

AVLANA EISENBERG (USA)

Music Director of the Boston Chamber Symphony, Avlana Eisenberg has conducted orchestras throughout the United States and in France, Germany, Austria, Scotland, Spain, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Her debut CD, with soloist Zina Schiff and the Budapest Symphony Orchestra MAV, features violin concertos by Sibelius and Barber and the world premiere orchestral recording of Ben-Haim’s Three Songs without Words. Eisenberg received a Fulbright Fellowship for conducting study in Paris and apprenticeship at the Paris National Opera and was one of Glamour magazine’s “Top Ten College Women of the Year.” As an undergraduate at Yale University, she founded and directed the Silliman Symphony and was honored with Yale’s “V. Browne Irish Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts.” An alumna of Interlochen Arts Camp and the Aspen Music Festival, Eisenberg holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan and a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Institute.

CO BOI NGUYEN (USA)

Ms. Co Boi Nguyen has been on the faculty of the University of Redlands, School of Music since 2006, serving as music director of the University of Redlands Orchestra and Opera. From 2005 to 2007, Ms. Nguyen was conductor and faculty member of the C.W. Post Chamber Music Festival at Long Island University, New York. At the same time, she also worked as assistant conductor to Oscar-winning composer Tan Dun in New York. As an alumna of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, Ms. Nguyen returns to Hanoi regularly to perform and to give master classes. She made her highly acclaimed debut with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra at the Hanoi Opera House in July 2002, making her the first woman ever to lead the ensemble. Ms. Nguyen is a graduate of the conducting programs at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the Juilliard School in New York.

~~~

EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For high-resolution, digital photographs suitable for print or to arrange an interview

Please contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and Public Relations

214.443.1014 or suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSOR FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “SEEKING THE HUMAN ELEMENT” SEASON

Ticket Information for the 2015-2016 Dallas Opera Season

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 2015-2016 FALL SEASON INFORMATION

The Dallas Opera celebrates its Fifty-Ninth 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.

GREAT SCOTT by Jake Heggie

October 30, November 1(m), 4, 7 & 15(m), 2015

A Thrilling Dallas Opera World Premiere!

Libretto by Terrence McNally*

Time: Present Day

Place: A Major American City

Conductor: Patrick Summers

Stage Director: Jack O’Brien*

Production Design: Bob Crowley

Lighting Design: Brian MacDevitt*

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Starring: Joyce DiDonato* (Arden Scott), Ailyn Pérez (Tatyana Bakst), Frederica von Stade (Mrs. Edward “Winnie” Flato), Nathan Gunn (Sid Taylor), Anthony Roth Costanzo* (Roane Heckle), Kevin Burdette (Eric Gold) and Michael Mayes* (Wendell Swan). A Brand-New Dallas Opera Production!

TOSCA by Giacomo Puccini

November 6, 8(m), 11, 14, 20 & 22(m), 2015

A passionate and timeless masterpiece in a beloved period production

An opera in three acts first performed in Rome, Italy on January 14, 1900

Text by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa after Victorien Sardou’s 1887 French-language play, La Tosca

Time: Early 19^th century

Place: Locations in and around the City of Rome

Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume

Stage Director: Ellen Douglas Schlaefer*

Production Design: Ulisse Santicchi

Lighting Design: Marie Barrett

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Children’s Chorus Master: TBA

Starring: Emily Magee (Floria Tosca), Giancarlo Monsalve* (Mario Cavaradossi), Raymond Aceto (Baron Scarpia), William Ferguson (Spoletta), Dale Travis* (A Sacristan) and Ryan Kuster (Angelotti).

One of The Dallas Opera’s Most Popular!

BECOMING SANTA CLAUS by Mark Adamo

December 4, 6(m), 9 & 12, 2015

An Eagerly Awaited Dallas Opera World Premiere!

Libretto by the composer, Mark Adamo.

Time: Now

Place: An Elven kingdom in the far, far north; also, the stable of the first Christmas

Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume

Stage Director: Paul Curran

Production Design: Gary McCann*

Video Design: Driscoll Otto*

Lighting Design: Paul Hackenmueller*

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Starring: Jennifer Rivera* (Queen Sophine), Juan José de León (Prince Claus), Matt Boehler* (Donkey) Another New Dallas Opera Production

* 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.

###

FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT CO-CHAIRS ANNOUNCED!

The Dallas Opera is Proud to Announce

THE APPOINTMENT OF CO-CHAIRS ELLEN AND DON WINSPEAR

FOR FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT

EXCITING KICK-OFF EVENTS FOR TDO’S 2015-2016 SEASON!

“Seeking the Human Element”

~~~~

DALLAS, JUNE 2, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is thrilled to announce the Co-Chairs for the eagerly anticipated 2015-2016 FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT events: Ellen and Don Winspear; Honorary Co-Chairs are Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings.

The Dallas Opera’s 2015-2016 Season “Seeking the Human Element” kicks off on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with the exhilarating FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and Luncheon, NorthPark Center presenting sponsor. This fantastic event features five custom styles inspired by the season’s operas, created by internationally renowned designers from Dallas, as well as fashions by British designer Mulberry.

The excitement continues with the elegant events of FIRST NIGHT, presenting sponsor Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management. The Pre-Performance Dinner will be held on Friday, October 30, 2015 in Sammons Park in front of the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Patrons will enjoy celebrity treatment with a red-carpet arrival that begins at 5:30 p.m. which also features models showing the opera-inspired designs revealed at FIRST SIGHT.

A delectable, three-course gourmet dinner prepared by Wolfgang Puck Catering begins at 6:00 p.m. in a lovely, adorned party
tent on the lawn. It precedes the much awaited Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance of the world premiere of Great Scott by Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally at 8:00 p.m. (note the unusual curtain time). The fun and festivities continue at the FIRST NIGHT After Party immediately following the performance, with popular DJ Lucy Wrubel rockin’ the tunes to get patrons groovin’ on the dance floor.

“We are thrilled to Co-Chair FIRST SIGHT and FIRST NIGHT and to represent such a stellar organization. The Dallas Opera continues to bring exceptional arts and entertainment to North Texas and the world premiere of Great Scott is a perfect production to kick-off a spectacular season! We invite everyone to take part in these fantastic events and share in the magnificence that this company brings to our community and the world stage!” said Mrs. Winspear.

“Ellen and I invite everyone to our season opening, regardless of whether you are a first-time or long-time lover of opera! This company is creating magic, not just with its phenomenal opera productions, but with its outreach efforts like the simulcasts, family and education programs that reach thousands. Come join in all the festivities and experience the excitement while supporting this great arts organization!” added Mr. Winspear.

“We couldn’t be more delighted to have Ellen and Don Winspear at the helm of FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT!” said Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny. “Their passion for our organization and willingness to share their extraordinary talents will ensure an outstanding opening for our bold upcoming season! The generosity of the Winspear family has contributed greatly to The Dallas Opera’s ongoing growth and viability and we are truly grateful for their leadership!”

Ellen Winspear is a native of Dallas who graduated from the Hockaday School. Following her undergraduate degree at Texas Christian University, she completed her graduate education at Southern Methodist University as a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She has many interests ranging from the arts and animals to education. She either has served or currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Dallas Opera, the Dallas Zoo, the Annette Simmons School of Education at SMU and the Dallas Film Society. She has been married to Don for nearly 35 years and they have two sons. Their older son serves in the United States Army at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where he lives with his wife. The younger graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and is a maritime engineer in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Donald Winspear is president of Crescent Research, Inc., a full service market research company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Crescent conducts strategic marketing research for a variety of different companies across multiple industry sectors, including many Fortune 100 companies. He is currently on the Board of The Dallas Opera having previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He also serves on TDO’s Executive Committee and Finance Committee. Mr. Winspear has also served as a committee member on the Board of Directors of The Dallas Opera Foundation. He has served on the Board of Directors for the AT&T Performing Arts Center and currently serves on both the Executive Committee and Programming Committee. Mr. Winspear has lectured at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at area universities on the topics of marketing research and entrepreneurialism.

In addition to his role at Crescent Research, he is active with the Boy Scouts of America and a former Scoutmaster of Troop 577. Mr. Winspear has also held a number of leadership roles with his church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Dallas, including the Board of Directors of the church foundation.

~~~~

The Winspear Opera house is located at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX, 75201.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit:

https://dallasopera.org/support/special-events/first-night/.

QUICK FACTS

FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and Luncheon

NorthPark Center Presenting Sponsor

Thursday, October 29, 2015; 11:00 am to 1:30 pm

Co-Chairs – Ellen and Don Winspear

Honorary Chairs – Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings

Fashion Show Producer and Chair – Rhonda Sargent Chambers

Luncheon Chair – Mrs. Micki Rawlings

Event Architect – Jeffrey Horn

Event Designer – Larry Leathers

Winspear Opera House Lobby

Cost: Tables start at $10,000. Individual tickets for $250.00

Featuring: Fashion Show by Mulberry Boutique at NorthPark Center; Unveiling of Opera-Inspired Designs

All proceeds benefit the Dallas Opera

FIRST NIGHT – Presenting Sponsor Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management

Pre-Performance Dinner

Friday, October 30, 2015; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Co-Chairs – Ellen and Don Winspear

Honorary Chairs – Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings

Dinner Chairs Anne and Steven Stodghill

Sammons Park in front of the Winspear Opera House – Tent

Cost: Tables starting at $25,000. Individual tickets for $1,000.00 (All Dinner tickets include After Party ticket)

(Opening night Opera performance tickets sold separately)

Featuring: Three-course gourmet dinner and “red carpet” arrival (Dessert at the After Party)

Black Tie

All proceeds benefit The Dallas Opera

After Party

Friday, October 30, 2015; 11:00 pm to 1:30 am

Co-Chairs – Ellen and Don Winspear

Honorary Chairs – Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings

Sammons Park in front of the Winspear Opera House – Tent

Featuring: DJ Lucy Wrubel, Wolfgang Puck Sweet & Savory, Open Bar

~~~~

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSOR FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “SEEKING THE HUMAN ELEMENT” SEASON

Ticket Information for the 2015-2016 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 will be available July 15. Full and Flex Subscriptions are on sale now starting at $75. Family performance tickets (available June 1) 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 2015-2016 FALL SEASON INFORMATION

GREAT SCOTT by Jake Heggie

October 30, November 1(m), 4, 7 & 15(m), 2015

A Thrilling Dallas Opera World Premiere!

Libretto by Terrence McNally*

Time: Present Day

Place: A Major American City

Conductor: Patrick Summers

Stage Director: Jack O’Brien*

Production Design: Bob Crowley

Lighting Design: Brian MacDevitt*

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

A Brand-New Dallas Opera Production!

TOSCA by Giacomo Puccini

November 6, 8(m), 11, 14, 20 & 22(m), 2015

A passionate and timeless masterpiece in a beloved period production

An opera in three acts first performed in Rome, Italy on January 14, 1900

Text by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa after Victorien Sardou’s 1887 French-language play, La Tosca

Time: Early 19^th century

Place: Locations in and around the City of Rome

Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume

Stage Director: Ellen Douglas Schlaefer*

Production Design: Ulisse Santicchi

Lighting Design: Marie Barrett

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Children’s Chorus Master: TBA

One of The Dallas Opera’s Most Popular!

BECOMING SANTA CLAUS by Mark Adamo

December 4, 6(m), 9 & 12, 2015

An Eagerly Awaited Dallas Opera World Premiere!

Libretto by the composer, Mark Adamo.

Time: Where time divides into “before” and “after”

Place: An Elven kingdom in the far, far north

Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume

Stage Director: Paul Curran

Production Design: Gary McCann*

Video Design: Elaine J. McCarthy

Lighting Design: Paul Hackenmueller*

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Starring: Jennifer Rivera* (Queen Sophine), Juan José de León (Prince Claus), Matt Boehler* (Donkey)

Another New Dallas Opera Production

* Dallas Opera Debut

** American Debut

Tickets On Sale Now $5 – Family Performances!

The Dallas Opera Family Series

With Generous Support from Presenting Sponsor

Texas Instruments

And the Betty and Steve Suellentrop

Educational Outreach Fund

~~~~

Part of “The Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs”

With additional support from Lockheed Martin

~~~~

CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO PETER MANNING

“THE BILLY GOATS GRUFF”

Sunday, July 26, 2015, 2:00 p.m.

Dallas Children’s Theater

Mary Dibbern, accompanist

Saturday, April 16, 2016, 2:00 p.m.

Margot & Bill Winspear Opera House

AT&T Performing Arts Center

~~~~

“ROSSINI AND COMPANY”

A DALLAS OPERA FAMILY CONCERT

FEATURING THE DALLAS OPERA ORCHESTRA

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, 2:00 p.m. and

Sunday, March 13, 2016, 2:00 p.m.

Margot & Bill Winspear Opera House

“BASTIEN AND BASTIENNE” by W.A. Mozart

$5 FAMILY PERFORMANCE

FEATURING THE DALLAS OPERA ORCHESTRA

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, 2:00 p.m. and

Saturday, Mar. 5, 2016, 2:00 p.m.

Margot & Bill Winspear Opera House

DALLAS, MAY 29, 2015 – Put those computers, tablets, and smart phones aside and take advantage of budget-minded, live, kid-friendly performances offered by The Dallas Opera (TDO) in our upcoming season!

The always popular Dallas Opera Family Performance Series is proudly presented by Texas Instruments, and made possible with additional generous support from the Betty and Steve Suellentrop Educational Outreach Fund and Lockheed Martin.

Budget-minded Family Performance subscriptions become available to the public on Monday, June 1 for just $12 – for all three performances. Call the patron service specialists at The Dallas Opera Ticket Office, 214-443-1000, or purchase online at your convenience at dallasopera.org/family.

THE BILLY GOATS GRUFF is an adaptation of the popular folk tale by John Davies, based on scenes from operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gaetano Donizetti, and Gioachino Rossini. Incorporated into each lively performance are key messages for students, including the importance of attending school regularly and the need to be kind.

The performances will take place on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Dallas Children’s Theater (located at 5938 Skillman, Dallas – to attend this special performance, $5 single tickets are available through The Dallas Opera. This DCT performance is not included in the TDO Family Performance Series subscription).

THE BILLY GOATS GRUFF will be performed a second time on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the Margot & Bill Winspear Opera House (located at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas 75201). Both performances will be sung in English, accompanied by collaborative pianist and Music Director of TDO Education and Family Programs, Mary Dibbern.

There are two casts for THE BILLY GOATS GRUFF, featuring soprano Agostina Migoni and mezzo-soprano Brandi Estwick in the role of Lucy; mezzo-sopranos Laura Gastinel and Farah Padamsee in the role of Ernesto; tenors Christopher Leach and Martin Clark, Jr. in the role of Dandini; as well as bass Travis McGuire and baritone Malcolm Payne, Jr. in the role of Osmin.

Prior to the April 16^th performance, The Dallas Opera will offer a host of hands-on crafts and activities. These will take place in the C. Vincent Prothro Lobby of the Margot & Bill Winspear Opera House in the AT&T Performing Arts Center which will open at 12:30 p.m.

Single tickets for this event are on sale June 1^st for just $5 apiece! Three-performance subscriptions for Winspear Opera House performances are just $12!

The FAMILY CONCERT: “ROSSINI AND COMPANY” is a parade of Gioachino Rossini’s greatest hits including a wide variety of arias and overtures by this 19^th century Italian composer. Patrons may be surprised at just how many pieces they already know and love and this event is sure to be enjoyed by fans of all ages. Featuring The Dallas Opera Orchestra and led by the acclaimed British conductor and violinist, Maestro Peter Manning, Guest Conductor and Concertmaster for The Dallas Opera, these concert performances will be presented on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.

Prior to the concert The C. Vincent Prothro Lobby of the Margot & Bill Winspear Opera House in the AT&T Performing Arts Center will open at 12:30 p.m. for a host of hands-on crafts and activities for children, followed by the performance at 2:00 p.m.

Just $5 per ticket! $12 per subscription! Buy Family Performance Series tickets online, 24/7, beginning June 1^st at dallasopera.org or call 214.443.1000. What better chance to introduce the extraordinary music, the magic, and the incredible excitement of live theater and opera to your children, grandchildren or loved ones!

“One of the most exciting developments
during my five years in Dallas” explains General Director and CEO Keith Cerny, “has been our ability to expand our education and community outreach efforts to reach tens of thousands of people across North Texas. It has also enabled the Dallas Opera to invite newcomers – particularly children and families – to experience the richness, color and excitement of opera as it was meant to be experienced, in the magnificent Winspear Opera House.

“Thanks to our generous underwriters, this company is touching lives in a profound new way,” Cerny adds, “and reaching people who never knew that opera is easily accessible and highly entertaining.”

~~~~

BASTIEN AND BASTIENNE is a charming, short, fully-staged comic opera composed by a very, very young Mozart (he was only twelve!). It centers on a lad and lassie with remarkably similar names who fall in love but are separated – at least briefly – by worldly enticements. Bastienne, a shepherdess, believes her boyfriend, Bastien, has fallen for a girl he met in the big city. Colas, the local magician, listens as Bastienne pours out her broken heart. Could he possibly have something “up his sleeve” that will bring this loving couple back together? The one-act opera was meant to serve as a gentle parody of the 18^th century pastoral works that were then all the rage onstage.

The renowned Peter Manning will conduct The Dallas Opera Orchestra in this delightful 1768 opera, which stars sopranos Alissa Roca and Anna Valcour sharing the role of Bastienne, and tenors Charles Karanja and Christopher Oglesby in separate casts as her beloved Bastien. The opera also features bass-baritones Mason Jarboe and Langelihle Mngxati as Colas, a magician of some wisdom and questionable skills.

Although the first verified public performance didn’t take place until 1890, classical music audiences may recognize
the opening of the Overture, which uses the same theme as the much-later Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” by Beethoven. Because of the unlikelihood that Beethoven ever saw this unpublished piece, it’s thought that both composers took the theme from another unknown composition.

~~~~

The set and costumes for THE BILLY GOATS GRUFF and BASTIEN AND BASTIENNE were designed by TDO Properties Designer and Costume Design Consultant Tommy Bourgeois.

Nancy Schaeffer of Dallas Children’s Theater staged THE BILLY GOATS GRUFF for The Dallas Opera.

Save on all three productions by purchasing your three-pack subscription in advance for just $12! Single tickets go on sale for $5 apiece, beginning June 1, 2015.

ARTISTIC/PRODUCTION KEY BIOS:

PETER MANNING – (Conductor – Dallas Opera Family Performances)

British conductor and violinist Peter Manning is Guest Conductor and Concertmaster with The Dallas Opera, Concertmaster of the Royal Opera House and Artistic Director & Conductor of the Manning Camerata. Mr. Manning’s conducting career also includes work with the Royal Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, the Edsberg Chamber Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Odense Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and the Soloists of The Royal Opera House. He was appointed Professor of New Work at Edinburgh University and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2013. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Royal Northern College of Music as well as an honorary member of the Royal College of Music. Mr. Manning is internationally known as one of Britain’s finest musicians. His schedule includes tours to France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Scandinavia, the Far East, the USA, South America and Russia and appearances in many major venues. Peter is the recipient of the German Recording Industry’s Schallplattenpreis. Peter attended Chetham’s School of Music and studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Yossi Zivoni and with Josef Gingold and Nathan Milstein at Indiana University. In 1983 he was appointed leader of the London Philharmonic Orchestra by Georg Solti. He was leader of the internationally renowned Britten Quartet 1986–96 and led the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 1997–99 and helped to reposition the orchestra. He left the RPO when he was appointed as Concertmaster of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. In 2005 he set up his own arts think-tank/ orchestra called, Manning Camerata, in an effort to create a wider dialogue around the arts in the UK and Europe. From its first concert event, his orchestra has worked throughout Europe delivering a catalogue of firsts: producing and giving the first opera in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in association with Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney to the first ever performance under the Pyramid of the Louvre in Paris. Manning also brought opera, chamber music, film realizations and the fusing of the creative arts—with music at the center—to the Chapel of Knights Hospitaller in Rome. The orchestra has been involved in Climate Change 500, an initiative for governments, and was invited to create soundscapes for MASTER PIECE, the UK’s largest arts fair, attracting 40,000 patrons to the Chelsea Royal Hospital before opening a new residency series for development in Oxford. Peter Manning accepted an invitation to serve as Music Director for St. Paul’s annual charity event with Maggies Centres where he will conduct Dame Ann Murray and Pumeza with Helena Bonham Carter, Rory Bremner and Adele in front of an audience of 2500 people, including royalty, in December. Peter Manning is now well known as a conductor and has guided The BBCSO, The Odense Symphony Orchestra, The RPO, and The Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic from the podium. He served as artistic director of Sweden’s oldest established chamber orchestra, Musica Vitae, for three successful seasons, winning back for them a national radio contract. Sir Colin Davis and Sir Charles Mackerras were mentors in his conducting development. Closer to home, Mr. Manning has experience in developing national companies and was asked to become the first Joint Professor between Glasgow’s Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the University of Edinburgh; the idea being to populate the Edinburgh fringe with new work based on arts collaborations including dance, improvisation, film and technology while simultaneously evolving new media platforms. His festival called “Oxygen” experienced a second successful year in Edinburgh and currently is developing strong partnerships in Scotland and elsewhere to promote Scottish arts. Peter Manning recently recorded Mahler’s Fourth Symphony in the Glasgow concert hall with students from the RCS, due to be released on the Nimbus label next fall. He was also the subject of an award-winning 2010 documentary entitled, Manning the Baton, an intimate look at his work with the musicians of Musica Vitae. This season has seen Manning conduct for the ‘Concerto for the Commonwealth’ with Nicola Benedetti alongside invitations to conduct at Sadlers Wells for Sergei Polunin and other stars at a major Gala. Peter also was invited by the City of Antwerp to conduct an official commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of the birth of composer Richard Strauss. He is passionate advocate for UK Arts and is a board member of the National Campaign for the Arts. Peter Manning has led projects to bring younger people to opera with his ground-breaking format approach to delivering German Opera to the state school sector; collaborating with theatre director Rachel Grunwald to great acclaim. Peter is also working with the Mayor of London’s open space called, The Scoop, to widen access. He is published by Universal Edition in Vienna and Schott in London. His arrangement of the Tippett Quartets for Orchestra will be published next fall by Schott, in accordance with the wishes of the Tippett Estate.

MARY DIBBERN (Music Director of Education and Family Programs)

American pianist Mary Dibbern joined the Music Staff of The Dallas Opera as Music Director for Education and Family Programs in June 2012. She is an internationally known specialist in the field of vocal coaching, recital accompaniment, recordings, University level master classes, Young Artists Programs, television and radio appearances in Europe, the United States and Asia. Dibbern was graduated summa cum laude from SMU with a Master of Music in accompaniment under the direction of Maestro Paul Vellucci. She then moved to Paris to work with the great French musicians Nadia Boulanger and Pierre Bernac. She resided in France from 1978 to 2009, where she was guest coach for the Opéra National de Paris (Bastille), and the operas of Nice, Bordeaux, Lyons, Toulouse, Dijon, Châtelet, the Opéra-Comique, the Festival de Radio France-Montpellier and in Europe at the Théâtre Municipal de Lausanne, the Círculo Portuense de Opera, the Lithuanian National Opera (Vilnius), the Latvian National Opera (Riga) and at the Shanghai Opera House where she was in charge of musical and language preparation for the first French-language productions. In the US, she was guest coach at Seattle Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Kentucky Opera, Opera Memphis and Hawai’i Opera Theatre. She was Head of Music at Minnesota Opera for three seasons, where she collaborated closely with composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell on their world premiere “Silent Night” which subsequently won the Pulitzer Prize for Music 2012. Mary Dibbern is the author of seven books on French music published by Pendragon Press and is the Editorial Consultant for Musik Fabrik’s publications of works by French composer Jacques Leguerney She is a recording artist for Harmonia Mundi France, Claves and Maguelone.

TOMMY BOURGEOIS (Production Designer)

Tommy Bourgeois has been associated with The Dallas Opera for over 25 years. He has been an integral part of the Costume Shop and is the Head of the Properties Department. Mr. Bourgeois has designed costumes and scenery for Ballet Austin, including Romeo and Juliette, The Nut Cracker and an original production of Taming of the Shrew commissioned by the Kennedy Center. Other costume designs include Six Flags over Texas’ Christmas Show, Jazz land in New Orleans and Dixie Stamped in Tennessee. In addition to designing costumes for various theatres in Dallas, he served as Master Carpenter and Costumer for the Lyric Opera of Dallas for four years. He is currently the set designer for the Order of the Alamo Coronation that takes place in San Antonio every spring during Fiesta. Mr. Bourgeois earned a MA in Theatre Design and Dramatic Criticism at Southwest Texas University and went on to earn an MFA at Southern Methodist University where he studied with Bill and Jean Eckhart. In New York, he was the assistant to Beni Montressor on ballets and operas in New York, NY and abroad and worked in the Fashion industry for Joseph Abboud and Emanuel Ungaro.

NANCY SCHAEFFER (Stage Director – The Billy Goats Gruff)

Nancy Schaeffer has served Dallas Children’s Theater since its founding in 1984, first as a teacher and actor and now as Director of all Education Programs and outreach activities. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Ms. Schaeffer has directed numerous DCT productions including Junie B. Jones…; How I Became a Pirate; don’t u luv me?; Madeline’s Christmas; EAT (It’s Not About Food); Goodnight Moon; The Secret Life of Girls; Stuart Little; If You Give a Mouse a Cookie; The Island of the Skog; Honk!; Babe, the Sheep-Pig; Jack & the Giant Beanstalk; The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Bunnicula; Lyle the Crocodile; Miss Nelson is Missing (1999 &2010); Miss Nelson is Back!; If You Give a Moose a Muffin and If You Give a Pig a Party (both of which she adapted for the stage); and twelve productions of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! Ms. Schaeffer also directed DCT’s highly successful touring production of The Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fair(l)y (Stoopid) Tales which toured the US and then traveled to Shanghai, China playing at the 2006 Shanghai International Children’s Culture and Arts Expo. As Education Director, Ms. Schaeffer oversees numerous programs including: DCT Academy, which offers year-round classes to more than 1,800 young people, ages 3 through 18; Curtains Up On Reading, an in-school residency program that integrates drama, literature, language arts, social studies, and history; After School and Summer Drama Classes that benefit “at-risk” youth through eight after-school satellite arts programs, and DCT’s Teen Scene, which nurtures the theater audiences and professionals of tomorrow by opening communication between teens, theater professionals and the community at large.

~~~~

EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “MAY AT THE DALLAS OPERA”

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

FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS

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

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

~~~~

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSOR FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “SEEKING THE HUMAN ELEMENT” SEASON

Ticket Information for the 2015-2016 Dallas Opera Season

THE DALLAS OPERA 2015-2016 FALL SEASON INFORMATION

GREAT SCOTT by Jake Heggie

October 30, November 1(m), 4, 7 & 15(m), 2015

A Thrilling Dallas Opera World Premiere!

Libretto by Terrence McNally*

Time: Present Day

Place: A Major American City

Conductor: Patrick Summers

Stage Director: Jack O’Brien*

Production Design: Bob Crowley

Lighting Design: Brian MacDevitt*

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Starring: Joyce DiDonato* (Arden Scott), Ailyn Pérez (Tatyana Bakst), Frederica von Stade (Mrs. Edward “Winnie” Flato), Nathan Gunn (Sid Taylor), Anthony Roth Costanzo* (Roane Heckle), Kevin Burdette (Eric Gold), Garrett Sorenson* (Anthony Candolino) and Michael Mayes* (Wendell Swan)

A Brand-New Dallas Opera Production!

TOSCA by Giacomo Puccini

November 6, 8(m), 11, 14, 20 & 22(m), 2015

A passionate and timeless masterpiece in a beloved period production

An opera in three acts first performed in Rome, Italy on January 14, 1900

Text by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa after Victorien Sardou’s 1887 French-language play, La Tosca

Time: Early 19^th century

Place: Locations in and around the City of Rome

Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume

Stage Director: Ellen Douglas Schlaefer*

Production Design: Ulisse Santicchi

Lighting Design: Marie Barrett

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Children’s Chorus Master: TBA

One of The Dallas Opera’s Most Popular!

BECOMING SANTA CLAUS by Mark Adamo

December 4, 6(m), 9 & 12, 2015

An Eagerly Awaited Dallas Opera World Premiere!

Libretto by the composer, Mark Adamo

Time: Where time divides into “before” and “after”

Place: An Elven kingdom in the far, far north

Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume

Stage Director: Paul Curran

Production Design: Gary McCann*

Video Design: Elaine J. McCarthy

Lighting Design: Paul Hackenmueller*

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Starring: Jennifer Rivera* (Queen Sophine), Juan José de León (Prince Claus), Matt Boehler* (Donkey)

Another New Dallas Opera Production

* 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.

###

Ekaterina Scherbachenko Wins Maria Callas Award!

THE DALLAS OPERA IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE

Soprano Ekaterina Scherbachenko
HONORED AS THE 2015 “MARIA CALLAS DEBUT ARTIST OF THE YEAR”

RECEIVED RAVE REVIEWS FOR HER PERFORMANCE
IN THE TITLE ROLE OF TCHAIKOVSKY’S FINAL OPERA IOLANTA

DALLAS, MAY 21, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is pleased to announce the winner of the 2015 “Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year” Award: incandescent Russian soprano Ekaterina Scherbachenko.

This prestigious award, named after one of the most renowned opera artists of the 20^th 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 Gold Room at the The Fairmont Dallas Hotel.

The Russian beauty had earned glowing notices this spring for her portrayal of the blind princess, Iolanta, in the rarely performed 1892 opera of the same name by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

One of Ms. Scherbachenko’s signature roles at Moscow’s historic Bolshoi Theatre, she deftly transformed the title character from an isolated young woman who is kept in the dark about her condition—to one who strives for the truth, becomes enlightened and is ready to sacrifice everything for love.

Laurie Lynn Lindemeier of The Column raved “This woman was a treat to behold with her striking voice and fine acting skills to boot—the full package! Although this is a shorter opera, it is still an endurance test for this character that does much of the singing. Ms. Scherbachenko consistently sang with sincerity and penetrating lyricism. Although her character is blind throughout, the singer clearly saw into Iolanta’s core and relayed that to the audience and to her fellow characters. I never sensed fatigue in her voice and once Iolanta received the cure and could see her lover, she looked directly into his eyes and sang to him.”

Catherine Womack of D Magazine/Front Row noted: “Ekaterina Scherbachenko has a flexible voice that is equally strong when it simmers and boils with power and when it delicately floats with vulnerability. She quickly captured my attention in the opening scene…”

Scott Cantrell of The Dallas Morning News described her complex portrayal of Iolanta as “convincing…Her ample soprano supplies parallel nuances of dewy simplicity and surging ardor.”

Gregory Sullivan Isaacs of Theater Jones wrote that “the cast is uniformly first rate” and that Ms. Scherbachenko “delivers a voice with some hint of spinto heft.”

Alicia Chang of the Dallas Voice summed up Ms. Scherbachenko’s performance as “wonderful!”

~~~~

“Hailing from Russia, the stunning Ekaterina Scherbachenko is the quintessential Iolanta, with the vocal prowess and acting credibility so integral for this unique role,” explained Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny. “The Dallas Opera was thrilled to bring a superb cast to our community to perfectly portray this rarely produced gem that included Sergey Skorkhodov, Andrei Bondarenko, and Mikhail Kolelishvili. As the title character, Ms. Scherbachenko gave a remarkable performance that moved our audience deeply.”

“We are delighted to continue the acknowledgment of spectacular talent with The Callas Award, and greatly appreciate our subscribers’ enthusiastic response in choosing the winner. Ms. Scherbachenko truly inspired these devoted patrons in a competition filled with many incredible singers,” said Cerny.

~~~~

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 Travis, Wolff & Company, 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 2015 recipient responded to the news, by email, with a statement read this evening by Keith Cerny:

To the Board and Trustees of The Dallas Opera, the Company staff and all the wonderful subscribers:

“It was a great pleasure to perform with The Dallas Opera in the title role of IOLANTA. To then be selected for the “Maria Callas Award” is a tremendous honor and I’m truly grateful for this recognition. The character of Iolanta is very near and dear to my heart and to have your patrons choose me for this award is especially meaningful! I have great admiration for the legendary Maria Callas and sincerely appreciate this acknowledgement.

Thank you so much for this lovely award!

Warm regards,

Ekaterina Scherbachenko

~~~~

There were nineteen additional 2014-2015 Season nominees for the Callas Award (artists making outstanding company debuts in a principal role)—all the contenders are listed below in alphabetical order):

ADDITIONAL NOMINEES FOR 2014 MARIA CALLAS AWARD

Susan Bickley – “Herodias” – Salome

Andrei Bondarenko – “Robert” – Iolanta

Kevin Burdette – “Beck Weathers” – Everest

Nicole Car – “Countess Almaviva” – The Marriage of Figaro

Melissa Citro – “Wally” – La Wally

Emily Fons – “Cherubino” – The Marriage of Figaro

Rodrigo Garciarroyo – “Giuseppe Hagenbach” – La Wally

Greer Grimsley – “Jokanaan” – Salome

Diana Montague – “Marcellina” – The Marriage of Figaro

Tamara Mumford – “Marta” – Iolanta

Arnold Rawls – “Giuseppe Hagenbach” – La Wally

Beate Ritter – “Susanna” – The Marriage of Figaro

Davinia Rodriguez – “Musetta” – La bohème

Sergey Skorokhodov – “Count Vaudemont” – Iolanta

Vladislav Sulimsky – “Ibn-Hakia” – Iolanta

Craig Verm – “Doug Hansen” – Everest

Alexander Vinogradov – “Colline” – La bohème

Deborah Voigt – “Salome” – Salome

Mary Elizabeth Williams – “Wally” – La Wally

~~~~

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) and last year’s winner, mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, who redefined the role of “Rosina” in our smash hit, The Barber of Seville.

~~~~

EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “MAY AT THE DALLAS OPERA”

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

FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS

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

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

~~~~

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSOR FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S
“SEEKING THE HUMAN ELEMENT” SEASON

Ticket Information for the
2015-2016 Dallas Opera Season

THE DALLAS OPERA 2015-2016 FALL SEASON INFORMATION

GREAT SCOTT by Jake Heggie

October 30, November 1(m), 4, 7 & 15(m), 2015

A Thrilling Dallas Opera World Premiere!

Libretto by Terrence McNally*

Time: Present Day

Place: A Major American City

Conductor: Patrick Summers

Stage Director: Jack O’Brien*

Production Design: Bob Crowley

Lighting Design: TBA

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Starring: Joyce DiDonato* (Arden Scott), Ailyn Pérez (Tatyana Bakst), Frederica von Stade (Mrs. Edward “Winnie” Flato), Nathan Gunn (Sid Taylor), Anthony Roth Costanzo* (Roane Heckle), Kevin Burdette (Eric Gold), Garrett Sorenson* (Anthony Candolino) and Michael Mayes* (Wendell Swan)

A Brand-New Dallas Opera Production!

TOSCA by Giacomo Puccini

November 6, 8(m), 11, 14, 20 & 22(m), 2015

A passionate and timeless masterpiece in a beloved period production

An opera in three acts first performed in Rome, Italy on January 14, 1900

Text by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa after Victorien Sardou’s 1887 French-language play, La Tosca

Time: Early 19^th century

Place: Locations in and around the City of Rome

Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume

Stage Director: Ellen Douglas Schlaefer*

Production Design: Ulisse Santicchi

Lighting Design: TBA

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Children’s Chorus Master: TBA

One of The Dallas Opera’s Most Popular!

BECOMING SANTA CLAUS by Mark Adamo

December 4, 6(m), 9 & 12, 2015

An Eagerly Awaited Dallas Opera World Premiere!

Libretto by the composer, Mark Adamo

Time: Where time divides into “before” and “after”

Place: An Elven kingdom in the far, far north

Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume

Stage Director: Paul Curran

Production Design: Gary McCann*

Video Design: Elaine J. McCarthy

Lighting Design: TBA

Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Starring: Jennifer Rivera* (Queen Sophine), Juan José de León (Prince Nicky), Matt Boehler* (Donkey)

Another New Dallas Opera Production

* Dallas Opera Debut

** American Debut

________________________________________________________________________

###

The Dallas Opera Expands Its Influence With The Institute for Women Conductors

The Dallas Opera is Proud to Announce

A Unique New Residential Initiative:

The Institute for Women Conductors

At The Dallas Opera

~~~~

Inaugural Program: Nov. 28 – Dec. 6, 2015

~~~~

TDO Seeks to Create New Opportunities for Talented Young Women Conductors Making Their Mark in the Field of Opera

DALLAS, FEBRUARY 9, 2015 – Working to address a long-standing career issue in the opera world, The Dallas Opera is delighted to announce the launch of a unique, new residential program designed to provide training and career support for distinctively talented women conductors. Female conductors age forty and younger, as well as accomplished women singers, opera coaches and accompanists, and instrumentalists with established careers seeking a new career at the podium, are encouraged to apply.

This new program, The Institute for Women Conductors at The Dallas Opera, will be inaugurated on November 28, 2015 and run through December 6, 2015, with generous support from the Richard and Enika Schulze Foundation.

Stated Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny: “The Dallas Opera has demonstrated, in multiple ways, its commitment to reshaping the opera field through the use of innovative public outreach, and by exploring new technologies, commissioning new works to expand the operatic repertoire, and programming with passion and imagination.

“This much-needed program,” Mr. Cerny adds, “will enable more women conductors to add their talents and insights to our collective understanding of this marvelous art form.”

The Women’s Conducting Institute will provide participants with opportunities to

Conduct The Dallas Opera Orchestra
Participate in master classes with Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume and Principal Guest Conductor Nicole Paiement
Attend seminars and discussions on how women conductors can make a greater impact on their field
Network with peers and take part in a media “refresher” course

Six women will be selected for the inaugural class, and all program participants will conduct The Dallas Opera Orchestra in a public concert to be held on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District.

Those attending are also eligible to take part in an annual two-day networking event, beginning in the summer of 2016. There is also the potential for one or more participants to be invited to serve as Assistant Conductors on future Dallas Opera productions.

~~~~

TDO’s Music Director, Emmanuel Villaume, enjoys a stellar international career, which includes regular appearances at The Dallas Opera, Covent Garden, the Mariinsky, and New York’s Metropolitan Opera, as well as his critically acclaimed work as Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Prague Philharmonia and with other major opera companies, symphony orchestras and prestigious concert venues throughout the world. Maestro Villaume notes: “I have advised many talented young conductors over the course of my career, both on and offstage, and I look forward to the chance to incorporate what I have gleaned from these experiences in support of this important new national program.

“No conductor ever stands at the podium alone. We raise our baton with those who came before us, and those who will follow in our footsteps.

“We are always trying to perfect our work. I feel I am now at a place in my career, where I can begin to effectively share my experiences with the next generation of conductors.”

~~~~

The Dallas Opera’s Principal Guest Conductor, Nicole Paiement, the Artistic Director and Conductor for San Francisco’s renowned contemporary opera company, Opera Parallèle, was singled out for praise in a recent Musical America “Profile in Courage” which wrote: “Working in a profession that often leaves women scandalously underrepresented, Paiement has established stellar credentials.”

As the subject of a recent article in Opera News (“The Mountain Climber,” January 2015), Paiement was described as “one of opera’s most adventurous spirits.” The woman who also serves as Artistic Director of BluePrint, a contemporary music series at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where she holds the Deléage Chair, has broken important new ground in Dallas, where she was invited to conduct critically acclaimed performances of Peter Maxwell Davies’ The Lighthouse, Death and the Powers by Tod Machover, and the recent successful world premiere of Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer’s Everest.

About the new institute itself, Maestra Paiement commented, “In tandem with my work as a professional conductor, I have spent many years striving to develop and support exceptional young talent, both onstage and in the orchestra pit. I am tremendously pleased to be able to continue this aspect of my career in a leadership role here in Dallas, and to be responsible for guiding each carefully selected group through this newly developed Dallas Opera program.

“You can learn a great deal by watching other conductors in action: how they interact with the orchestra, how they exercise their authority, apply their insights to a particular score, and guide the artists to greater heights of musical expression.

~~~~

The application process opens today, February 9, 2015, with a deadline of April 15, 2015. Applications can be submitted at YAPtracker.com. Early applications are encouraged.

Those chosen to participate will receive a travel stipend, in-town housing, and a per diem to cover basic living expenses. For more information on The Women’s Conducting Institute at The Dallas Opera, visit www.dallasopera.org/womenconductors.

~~~~

EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For high-resolution, digital photographs suitable for print

Or to arrange an interview

Please contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and Public Relations

214.443.1014 or suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2014-2015 SEASON SPONSOR

FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “HEIGHTS OF PASSION” SEASON

Ticket Information for the 2014-2015 Dallas Opera Spring 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.

Cast Changes in TDO’s LA WALLY

The Dallas Opera is announcing cast changes for the upcoming production of Cataloni’s LA WALLY; read on.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, January 19, 2015
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 or Celeste Hart 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

The Dallas Opera Announces
Cast Changes to LA WALLY

LA WALLY, ACT IV
With Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer’s EVEREST
(A Dallas Opera World Premiere)
~~~~
OPENING FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015, 7:30 P.M.
FOR THE FIRST OF FOUR PERFORMANCES
~~~~
The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House
At the AT&T Performing Arts Center
~~~~
ALICE W. AND RICHARD D. BASS,
EVEREST Underwriters
With Additional Support from
National Endowment for the Arts,
TACA Donna Wilhelm Family New Works Fund
& Tobin Theatre Arts Fund
~~~~
Three-Opera FLEX Subscriptions
Still Available, Starting at $75
Single Tickets Start at $19

DALLAS, TX, JANUARY 19, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is announcing cast changes for the company’s upcoming new production of Alfredo Catalani’s LA WALLY (Act IV).
Mexican tenor Rodrigo Garciarroyo will perform the leading role of Giuseppe Hagenbach on January 30 (opening night), February 1 and 4, 2015. Tenor Arnold Rawls will sing the role for the final performance scheduled on February 7, 2015. The singers are assuming the role after Carl Tanner recently withdrew, due to illness.
In addition, soprano Melissa Citro will sing the final performance of La Wally in the title role. Earlier, soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams took over the part from Latonia Moore, who withdrew because of her pregnancy.
Mr. Garciarroyo, who is making his Dallas Opera debut in LA WALLY, has been praised by John Bills of Pro Opera Magazine as “…combining a rich sound and a smooth legato with secure and heroic high notes: first class singing.”
Mr. Rawls makes his Dallas Opera debut in this production after earning rave reviews from Opera News, which wrote, “He owned the stage dramatically and musically…nailing each note.”
Ms. Citro, making her house debut with The Dallas Opera as the intrepid title character of Wally (short for “Walburga,” in case you were wondering), has excelled in a variety of Wagnerian roles. Writing about her Glimmerglass Festival appearance in The Consul, one reviewer claimed Miss Citro “stopped the performance in the second act with her aria, when she finally snaps in the face of the unseen Consul’s inhumanity to his fellow man. Ms. Citro is already singing such Wagnerian roles as a Norn and a Valkyrie in major houses. She has a great career ahead of her. See her now.”
LA WALLY is the first half of the sole double bill in The Dallas Opera’s 2014-2015 “Heights of Passion” Season. The climactic final act of this rarely produced 1892 work is being paired with the world premiere of EVEREST—the first opera by renowned British composer Joby Talbot (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and Gene Scheer (Moby-Dick).

Opening night will take place on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
That night, LA WALLY will star Mary Elizabeth Williams, described by Opera News as “the next great Verdi soprano,” as Wally, on the heels of her performances as Floria Tosca for Seattle Opera (where she was selected as the 2011-2012 “Artist of the Year”). Ms. Williams, praised by The Washington Post for “wonderful stage presence, both regal and human.” Ms. Williams will perform the role on January 30, February 1 and 4, 2015.
The role of Walter will be sung throughout by Dallas Opera favorite Jennifer Chung, who appeared as Juliette in last season’s critically acclaimed production of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s twentieth-century masterpiece, Die tote Stadt.
Conducted by Anthony Barrese (Tosca, 2008) and staged in this abridged production by renowned stage director Candace Evans (Don Pasquale, The Merry Widow), this is the tale of a free-spirited and fiercely passionate young woman who realizes, too late, that love delayed isn’t always love denied. TDO’s production also will incorporate the famous Act I aria, “Ebben, ne andrò lontana.”
Other members of the top-notch production team include acclaimed set designer Robert Brill (Moby-Dick), costume designer David C. Woolard (Oscar, Death and the Powers), lighting designer Christopher Akerlind (The Dream of Valentino, La bohème, The Marriage of Figaro), wig and make-up designer David Zimmerman and projections designer Elaine J. McCarthy.
~~~~
On the slopes of Mount Everest, luck and the weather can turn with equal ferocity and swiftness, and dreams die even for the most valiant of men.
British composer Joby Talbot’s first opera confronts the tragic events surrounding an ill-fated 1996 Everest expedition with a cast that includes tenor Andrew Bidlack and mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, as well as bass Kevin Burdette and baritone Craig Verm in their company debuts. This much-anticipated Dallas Opera world premiere will be conducted by contemporary music specialist and Dallas Opera Principal Guest Conductor Nicole Paiement and staged by director Leonard Foglia (Moby-Dick) – this season’s James R. Seitz, Jr. Stage Director in Honor of John Gage – with stunning projections designed to carry us to the one of the highest, most awe-inspiring, and dangerous places on earth.

“It’s a thrill to have this opportunity to bring together artists from several of the most memorable productions in recent Dallas Opera history,” says Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny, “and to combine their extraordinary talents in fresh and exciting new ways.
“I am also delighted to cement The Dallas Opera’s newfound reputation as a creative force in American Opera with the first of three world premieres scheduled to take place in 2015,” Mr. Cerny adds. “My team and I are confident that this thrilling original work by Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer will bring us a step closer to our goal of providing adventurous North Texas audiences with thought-provoking new works, in addition to carefully conceived productions of rarely performed and much-loved favorites from the opera repertoire.”

Dallas Opera Principal Guest Conductor Nicole Paiement made a profound impression on theatergoers during the 2012 launch of our chamber opera series: The Lighthouse by Peter Maxwell Davies. Wrote Willard Spiegelman of Opera News, “Nicole Paiement led the ensemble briskly through a score that is rhythmically as well as harmonically complex.” Dallas Observer Classical Music Critic Katie Womack expounded further: “The success of Friday’s performance was largely due to Nicole Paiement, who conducted the orchestra skillfully and artistically, and DTC’s artistic director, Kevin Moriarty, whose staging of this work marked his opera directorial debut. Moriarty’s transition to this genre seemed effortless and his work at home in the Wyly Theatre space. Together, the two produced one of the most interesting hours of opera I’ve seen in a while.”
The conductor also led brilliant performances of Tod Machover’s Death and the Powers last season, easily the most cutting-edge and technologically sophisticated opera ever produced in North Texas.
Andrew Bidlack, praised by David Fleshler of The Miami Herald for his “smooth legato and heroic top notes,” prompted Classical Voice of New England to proclaim that he has “vocal color to match one of the original ‘Three Tenors’.” Mr. Bidlack made his TDO debut as Sandy in The Lighthouse, which launched our chamber opera series in 2012.
Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, who debuted with Dallas Opera in the acclaimed 2013 production of Dominick Argento’s The Aspern Papers before creating the role of Mary Magdalene in the San Francisco Opera world premiere of Mark Adamo’s most recent work, “made a brilliant impression,” according to Georgia Rowe of Opera News. “Cooke sang with complete conviction, sounding unforced and lustrous.” While San Francisco Chronicle Critic Joshua Kosman wrote that her singing was “eloquent and shimmeringly rich.”
Bass Kevin Burdette will be making his company debut but he’s already attracting a lot of attention for his “large powerful voice with a burnished robust sound” and a “vibrant personality that pervaded the entire theater” (Opera Today).
Baritone Craig Verm, who will also be making his TDO debut in this production, has earned raves for his “brilliantly performed” roles and “consistently solid and well-colored” singing” (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review).
The Dallas Opera Chorus is prepared by acclaimed Chorus Master Alexander Rom.

EVEREST is generously underwritten by Alice W. and Richard D. Bass, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts, TACA Donna Wilhelm Family New Works Fund, and the Tobin Theatre Arts Fund.

Performances of this unique double bill (LA WALLY sung in Italian, EVEREST sung in English, with English language supertitles projected above the stage) will take place in the magnificent Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House on January 30, February 1 (2:00 p.m. matinee), 4 & 7, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. These works will be separated by an intermission.
~~~~
Single tickets for the remaining mainstage productions of the Dallas Opera’s “Heights of Passion” 2014-15 Season (La bohëme, Iolanta) 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 $15 (one per valid Student I.D.) ninety minutes prior to each performance.
~~~~

EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “JANUARY 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 obtain additional information
Please contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and Public Relations
214.443.1014 or suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org

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 Spring 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 will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances excluding FIRST NIGHT of the season.

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: Mary Elizabeth Williams* & Melissa Citro* (Wally), Rodrigo Garciarroyo* & Arnold Rawls* (Giuseppe Hagenbach) and Jennifer Chung (Walter)
A Brand-New Dallas Opera Production!

Paired 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
______________________________________________________________________________________
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.

###

« Previous Page

2026/2027 Season

Events

Plan Your Visit

Tickets

More From Us

Digital Programs

Education

About Us

Company

History

News

Careers

Artist Development

Ways to Give

Get Involved

Recognition

Six Women Selected for Institute for Women Conductors!

Ticket Information for the 2015-2016 Dallas Opera Season

FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT CO-CHAIRS ANNOUNCED!

Ticket Information for the 2015-2016 Dallas Opera Season

Tickets On Sale Now $5 – Family Performances!

The Dallas Opera Family Series

“BASTIEN AND BASTIENNE” by W.A. Mozart

Ticket Information for the 2015-2016 Dallas Opera Season

Ekaterina Scherbachenko Wins Maria Callas Award!

Ticket Information for the
2015-2016 Dallas Opera Season

The Dallas Opera Expands Its Influence With The Institute for Women Conductors

Ticket Information for the 2014-2015 Dallas Opera Spring Season

Cast Changes in TDO’s LA WALLY