FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014

suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org

The Dallas Opera is Proud to Present

THE MAGIC FLUTE

~~~~

Mozart’s Magical, Comical Celebration

Of the Human Spirit

OCTOBER 18 – NOVEMBER 3, 2019

Conducted by Music Director Emmanuel Villaume

Directed by Kyle Lang in his TDO Debut

~~~~

Starring Paolo Fanale (Tamino), Andrea Carroll (Pamina), Jeni Houser (Queen of the Night), Morris Robinson (Sarastro), and Sean Michael Plumb (Papageno)

~~~~

FREE, LIVE COMMUNITY SIMULCAST

FRIDAY, NOV. 1, 2019 AT KLYDE WARREN PARK

Curtain Time: 7:30 p.m.

DALLAS, OCTOBER 15, 2019 – The Dallas Opera opens its 2019-2020 “Standing Ovation” Season on a high note this Friday with The Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s final operatic masterpiece, The Magic Flute.

The October 18, 2019 performance in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center will begin at 8:00 p.m. (please note the special curtain time) with subsequent performances at the usual times.

Conducted by Emmanuel Villaume (The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director of The Dallas Opera) and directed by Kyle Lang (Ann Stuart Stage Director) in his company debut, The Eleanor Ford Penrose Mainstage Production boasts a superb international cast of singers who have captivated audiences from the Kennedy Center to Covent Garden.

Italian tenor Paolo Fanale and American soprano Andrea Carroll will make their house debuts as the spirited romantic leads, Tamino and Pamina, braving trials and separations in order to find love, wisdom and happiness together, at long last.

“Tamino demands a beautiful voice that radiates youthful ardor,” wrote Harper’s Bazaar, “and you’ll hear it from this ‘heart-throb Italian tenor (Paolo Fanale).” Meanwhile, Opera News noted that Miss Carroll is “a favorite of the Vienna State Opera, (lauded for her) vibrant soprano (with its) rich, low register and gleaming top.”

American soprano Jeni Houser will account for several of the performance’s high notes as the majestic Queen of the Night. She, too, earned exceptional praise from Opera News for her “focused expressive high soprano…nailing her killer Act II showpiece.”

The role of Papageno, a comic tour-de-force, marks the eagerly-awaited house debut of baritone Sean Michael Plumb, whose “elegant lyricism and responsive musicality” (The New York Times) have made this award-winning California native a welcome presence on many of the world’s most prestigious stages.

Dallas Opera favorite Morris Robinson, an American bass last seen on the Winspear stage as The Commendatore in our acclaimed 2018 spring production of Don Giovanni, “dominates the stage…with his firm, opulent tone that seems to pour forth from another world” (The Classical Review).  He returns in the role of the mysterious Sarastro.

Casting the roles of the First, Second, and Third Lady is about choosing complementary voices capable of creating one of the great trios in opera. The Dallas Opera indulged in “luxury casting” across the board: The First Lady will be sung by American soprano Diana Newman, the Second Lady by American mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey (The Charron and Peter Denker Rising Star), and the Third Lady by American contralto Hannah Ludwig – all in their TDO debuts.

The troubled Monastatos, will be portrayed by character tenor Brian Frutiger with soprano Abigail Rethwisch as the charming Papagena and bass David Pittsinger as The Speaker.

Rounding out this outstanding cast are the First, Second and Third Boy sung by Keiland Holleman, Lukas Palys, and Michael Blumenthal, respectively.

The First Man in Armor will be sung by Aaron Short. Ryan Kuster will portray the Second Man in Armor. Sam Parkinson appears in the role of the First Priest, with Michael Christopher as the Second Priest.

This eighteenth-century masterpiece premiered in Vienna in 1791, and mixes popular song with show-stopping coloratura and a lilting touch of glockenspiel.

Tickets for Mozart’s The Magic Flute may be purchased by phone (214.443.1000), online (www.dallasopera.org) or at the door, starting at just $19.

~~~~

This  production, originally directed by the late Sir Peter Hall, was designed by British cartoonist and illustrator extraordinaire, Gerald Scarfe, best known for a half century of scathing political cartoons for The Sunday Times and for directing and designing the animation sequence for Pink Floyd’s film and concert versions of The Wall. Mr. Scarfe has designed sets and costumes for opera companies from Seattle to New Zealand, as well as creating numerous books, exhibits, and acclaimed one-man shows.

Lighting design for this production is by Thomas C. Hase. Wig and make-up design is by Dawn Rivard.

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

Performances of The Magic Flute continue on October 20(m), 23, 26, and November 1 (The Enrico Foundation Performance) and November 3(m), 2019.  Evening performances in the Winspear Opera House begin at 7:30 p.m., (except for the opening night performance mentioned above) and the curtain rises on TDO Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.  There is no late seating.

The Magic Flute will be performed in its original language, German, with English-language translations projected above the stage at every performance.

Student Rush Tickets are available at the box office 90 minutes prior to curtain – a valid student ID is required for each ticket.

Additionally, The Dallas Opera is Pleased to Announce its 18^th Live Simulcast since 2010!

A FREE KLYDE WARREN PARK SIMULCAST

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019

The Dallas Opera will present a free live simulcast of Mozart’s The Magic Flute at beautiful Klyde Warren Park. This special presentation takes place in the Dallas Arts District on Friday, November 1, 2019 (program begins at 6:00 p.m., curtain time – 7:30 p.m.) and is open to all.

This will be a live simulcast of that night’s performance in the Winspear Opera House, presented for park patrons on a large high-definition video screen.

“The free fall simulcast in Klyde Warren Park has quickly evolved into one of our most popular traditions,” explains Dallas Opera Director of Marketing and Ticket Sales Carrie Ellen Adamian.  “It’s not merely a grand night for opera, it’s a marvelous opportunity to celebrate community life with your loved ones, children, and friends.

“For those who may never have experienced opera before, The Magic Flute is especially delightful with its combination of gorgeous arias and a fantastic storyline that will keep you on the edge of your…blanket.”

Klyde Warren Park is located at 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, TX 75201.  Sign up today for reminders and updates at www.dallasopera.org/simulcast.  However, no reservations are required in order to attend the free November 1st simulcast, whether you’re coming alone or with 50 of your closest friends and family members!

The fun begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1^st with popular radio host Amy Bishop of WRR, “Classical 101” and Kristian Roberts, Education Administrator for The Dallas Opera.  Activities include a trivia contest, behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast, and the high-definition screening of a 1950 classic cartoon, Rabbit of Seville (courtesy of WB Classics), directed by Chuck Jones and written by Michael Maltese. This short was voted #12 of the 50 all-time greatest cartoons ever created, in a survey of animation industry professionals.

The cartoon also “tips the hat” to our engaging season finale, The Barber of Seville (April 24^th through May 10, 2020), Rossini’s hilarious comic masterpiece.

The public is encouraged to arrive with time to spare before the 7:30 curtain, and to bring blankets or low lawn-chairs to secure their spot on the lawn.  A variety of nearby wining-and-dining options include Savor, serving New American cuisine and assorted food trucks.

Picnic baskets and pets are permitted, as well.

The 2019 Magic Flute Simulcast is made possible in part by The Enrico Foundation with additional support provided by Texas Instruments.

~~~~

The Dallas Opera Wishes to Express Our Gratitude to Those

Whose Generous Contributions Made Possible

This 2019 Production of The Magic Flute:

The Eleanor Ford Penrose Mainstage Production

Production Underwriters Cindy and Charlie Feld

Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance, Oct. 18, 2019

The Enrico Foundation Performance, Nov. 1, 2019

Charron and Peter Denker Rising Star: Samantha Hankey

Ann Stuart Stage Director: Kyle Lang

ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA:

One of the leading opera companies in the country, The Dallas Opera has an extraordinary legacy of world-class productions and thrilling premieres featuring the greatest operatic artists of our time. Inaugurated in 1957 with a concert featuring the incomparable Maria Callas, TDO is known for the notable U.S. debuts of a host of legendary artists including Plácido Domingo, Dame Joan Sutherland, Jon Vickers, Franco Zeffirelli, and Sir David McVicar. The company has long been an industry leader and innovator through groundbreaking initiatives like the Hart Institute for Women Conductors, free public simulcasts, acclaimed art song recitals, the national vocal competition, special concerts, and outstanding family and award-winning education programs. TDO’s home is the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, a jewel in the Dallas Arts District. As one of the largest performing arts employers in North Texas, TDO is proudly committed to diversity, onstage and off, and is a major contributor to the economic vitality and international cultural reputation of this region.

2019-2020 SEASON SPONSOR

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

EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Elsa von Seggern Foundation,

Texas Instruments, the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture,

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.

All performances in The Dallas Opera’s 63^rd International Season will take place in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, unless otherwise indicated. 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. Full and Flex subscriptions are designed to meet the needs of every budget. Prices range from just $57 (for three performances of your choice) to a top orchestra floor price of $777 for all five mainstage productions. Single tickets are priced from $19 to $289 (a few box seats may be higher). For additional information or to make your purchase, call 214.443.1000 or visit www.dallasopera.org.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

###