The National Endowment for the Arts has committed $30,000 to the development of a new world premiere opera by composer Jake Heggie and Librettist Terrence McNally entitled, “Great Scott.” The work is scheduled to take centerstage at the Dallas Opera in October 2015, starring Joyce DiDonato. Culture Map Dallas has details on the local projects garnering the support of the NEA.
Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and Public Relations
Although I had heard it in concert several years ago, until last night I had never seen a staged performance of Rossini’s “opera seria” (as opposed to his more celebrated comic operas) LA DONNA DEL LAGO, based on Sir Walter Scott’s THE LADY OF THE LAKE.
To be perfectly honest, I have never been much of a fan of Scott’s historical romances (I could barely get through IVANHOE when I had to read it in school) but this turgid novel seems to have inspired Rossini to write some of his most glorious music.
The production in Santa Fe was mounted to showcase a dazzling Joyce DiDonato in the title role, and she was sensational. Not only did she sing superbly, she was actually able to make us care about the fate of her character because of her extraordinary skills as an actress.
Dallas audiences will have the opportunity to hear her for themselves when she opens the 2015 Dallas Opera season in Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s new opera GREAT SCOTT, commissioned by The Dallas Opera. Read more →