The 2020 Dallas Opera Guild Biennial Lone Star Vocal Competition has moved online and voting is underway through June 7th. The sole winner will be decided by popular vote. More details can be found in the release below.
20 Guild Vocal Comp Moves Online-FINAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, May 3, 2019
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
“AND THE WINNERS ARE…”
Top Honors Announced This Evening
In the 31st Annual
Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition
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Outstanding Young Artists Awarded
$18,500 in Cash Prizes
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Soprano Meghan Kasanders
Takes Top Prize and $10,000 Cash!
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Second Prize ($5,000) Goes to Reginald Smith, Jr.
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Third Prize ($2,500) Awarded to Christopher Oglesby
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The “Jonathan Pell People’s Choice Award” ($1,000) Determined by Audience Ballot Goes to Meghan Kasanders
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Vocal Competition Co-Chairs, Susan Fleming and Linda McKown
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Holly and Tom Mayer Honored for Their Leadership and Generous Support of The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild
DALLAS, MAY 3, 2019 – An elite group of twenty of the most talented young opera singers in the country competed this week for prestige and cash prizes in the 31st Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition. At the conclusion of this evening’s exciting Finals Round, hosted by Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin, the winners were announced from the stage of the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas:
This year, the twenty semi-finalists were selected from a group of 307 applicants from 36 states (residents of the U.S. territories are eligible to apply for the prestigious competition, as well) by a panel of preliminary judges that included American pianist and educator Dr. Brian Zeger of the Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts at The Juilliard School, and David Lomeli, Director of Artistic Administration for The Dallas Opera.
THE 2019 SEMI-FINALISTS
THE DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION
The Semi-Finals Round took place yesterday, Thursday, May 2nd, as twenty young artists vied for the coveted position of finalist. After lengthy deliberations from the judges’ panel, six singers were selected to move into today’s Finals Round: contralto Lauren Decker, soprano Meghan Kasanders, soprano Diana Newman, tenor Christopher Oglesby, bass-baritone Christian Pursell, and baritone Reginald Smith, Jr.
The six finalists competed earlier this evening for a blue-ribbon judges panel, accompanied by the Dallas Opera Orchestra under the baton of the internationally renowned Music Director of the Donizetti Opera Festival in Bergamo, Italy, Maestro Riccardo Frizza.
Only patrons in attendance were eligible to vote for “the people’s choice.”
Dallas Opera Guild Co-Presidents Jan and James Clay explained, “Our exciting annual competition is the most high-profile facet of The Dallas Opera Guild’s year-long commitment to support exceptionally talented young opera artists. The future of opera, not only in Texas, but throughout the world, is dependent on the discovery and development of bright new talent. The Guild takes that part of our mission very seriously, and we are delighted at the number of people who turned out tonight to show their support for these fine young singers!”
Judges for the 2019 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition:
Stephanie Blythe
Mezzo-soprano
Peter Czornyj
Vice President of Artistic Operations, The Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Ian Derrer
The Kern Wildenthal General Director & CEO, The Dallas Opera
Dominic Domingo
Director of Artistic Administration, San Diego Opera
Riccardo Frizza
Music Director of the Donizetti Opera Festival in Bergamo, Italy
David Lomeli
Director of Artistic Administration, The Dallas Opera
Andreas Melinat
Vice President, Artistic Planning, Lyric Opera of Chicago
Brian Zeger, Chair
Artistic Director of the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts
The Juilliard School
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WINNERS BIOS
First Prize Winner and “Jonathan Pell People’s Choice Award”- MEGHAN KASANDERS
Hailed by Opera News as “a wonderfully promising, rich dramatic soprano,” Meghan Kasanders “displays power and sheen at all dynamic levels.” This past year, she made her Carnegie Hall debut singing in Bernstein’s Songfest under the direction of Marin Alsop and the role of Magda Sorel in Opera Saratoga’s critically acclaimed production of The Consul. This year, she sings Sibelius’ Luonnotar with Maestra Barbara Hannigan and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni at the Juilliard School, where she will receive an Artist Diploma in opera studies in May. This summer, Meghan will attend the International Meistersinger Akademie in Neumarkt, Germany. Ms. Kasanders has worked with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Opera Saratoga, Des Moines Metro Opera, Union Avenue Opera and the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Ms. Kasanders holds a Master’s degree from Rice University and a Bachelor’s from Simpson College.
During this evening’s Finals Round, Ms. Kasanders performed “Zachem zhe eti slyozi” from Tchaikovsky’s Pique Dame and “To This We’ve Come” from Giancarlo Menotti’s The Consul.
Second Prize Winner baritone REGINALD SMITH, JR.
Baritone Reginald Smith, Jr. has been lauded as a “passionate performer” (The New York Times) with an “electric, hall-filling” (The Baltimore Sun) and “thrillingly dramatic” voice (Opera News) that is “one of the most exciting baritone sounds to come along in years” (Opera News). A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Smith is a Grand Finals winner of the 2015 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and graduate of the HGO Studio. This season, he has or will appear as Sharpless in Madama Butterfly with Opera Memphis, Amonasro in Aida with Opera Idaho, the baritone solo in Carmina Burana for the Houston Symphony, a debut with the New Jersey Symphony as the bass soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (which he will also perform with the West Virginia Symphony), as well as a return to the rosters of Lyric Opera of Chicago and SFO.
In today’s Finals Round, Reginald Smith, Jr. performed “O du mein Holder Abendstern” from Wagner’s Tannhäuser and “Eri tu che macchiavi quell’anima” from Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera.
Third Prize Winner tenor CHRISTOPHER OGLESBY
Tenor and first-year San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow, Christopher Oglesby, was most recently a Resident Artist at Utah Opera where he sang Tybalt in Roméo et Juliette and was the tenor soloist for Handel’s Messiah with the Utah Symphony. As a participant in the 2018 Merola Opera Program, he debuted as Tom Rakewell in The Rake’s Progress. As an education artist at The Dallas Opera, he appeared in Mozart’s Bastien and Bastienne as well as Davies’ The Three Little Pigs. An active soloist and recitalist, Mr. Oglesby has performed with the Utah Symphony, the Abilene Philharmonic, Dallas Puccini Society, and in the Schwabacher Recital Series at San Francisco Opera. He holds Bachelor of Music degrees in Vocal Performance, Choral Education, and Band Education from Lee University and a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas.
In this evening’s Finals Round, Mr. Oglesby performed “Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön” from Die Zauberflöte by Mozart and “Vary the Song” from Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress.
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Earlier, Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume noted, “This competition is one of the most rewarding aspects of our work at The Dallas Opera. Although it doesn’t seem possible, the caliber of the singers improves every year, and inspires us to continue to support and develop this excellent and much-needed program.”
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CONTRIBUTORS TO THE 2019 GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION INCLUDE:
Underwriters:
HOLLY AND TOM MAYER
(Matching Challenge)
KATHERINE & MICHAEL PHILLIPS
(The Jonathan Pell People’s Choice Award)
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
(Sponsor of Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin as
Mistress of Ceremonies for the Finals Concert)
CHRISTOPHER A. SALERNO
(Donating the cost of lunches for all competition contestants, judges, accompanists and opera staff)
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DIAMOND PATRONS ($5,000 AND ABOVE)
HOLLY AND TOM MAYER
KATHERINE AND MICHAEL PHILLIPS
PLATINUM PATRONS ($2,500 – $4,999)
RICHARD AND ENIKA SCHULZE
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
GOLD PATRONS ($1,000 – $2,499)
MARTHA AND DR. ROBERT ALLDAY
ELAINE AND BILL BLAYLOCK
PATSY AND BOB BROOKS
JAN AND JAMES CLAY
PATTI AND JOHN CODY
CINDY AND CHARLIE FELD
KETTY FITZGERALD
SUSAN FLEMING
SUSAN AND MARK GEYER
MARILYN AND WARD HALLA
SUE KRIDER
TOM AND PHYLLIS McCASLAND
JANE McCONNELL
MARTHA ROCHELLE
SANDRA AND BILL SANDERSON
STEVE AND BETTY SUELLENTROP
INGE AND SAM VASTOLA
For additional information about the Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition or any upcoming Dallas Opera Guild programs and special events, please contact The Dallas Opera Guild at 214-443-1040.
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2018-2019 SEASON SPONSOR
The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family
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ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
Founded in 1957, The Dallas Opera is an internationally-recognized innovator dedicated to the overall advancement of the operatic art form and the support of established and emerging artists, as well as the education and development of new opera audiences in North Texas—and beyond. These goals are achieved by commissioning and producing world-class opera; through ground-breaking institutes, national competitions and topical programs; and by presenting opera in both traditional and non-traditional formats and venues in order to attract patrons of every age, background, educational level, and ethnicity—while engaging with more than 87,000 people in our community each year. TDO is equally committed to the task of responsible stewardship and is managed with efficiency and accountability, to the highest possible standards.
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EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA
IS AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7. VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG
FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS
Contact Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and PR at suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Elsa von Seggern Foundation, Texas Instruments Foundation, the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs; the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera.
Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News.
The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by
Texas Instruments, Lockheed Martin, and
The Betty and Steve Suellentrop Educational Outreach Fund
TDO Family Performances are a part of the
Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs
TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE 2018-2019 DALLAS OPERA SEASON
All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise indicated. Single tickets range from $19 to $289 (excluding boxes). Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.
THE DALLAS OPERA 2018-2019 MAINSTAGE SEASON: SPRING
The Dallas Opera celebrates its 62nd International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired. With the exception of FIRST NIGHT, The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances.
MANON LESCAUT by Giacomo Puccini
Semi-Staged Concert, March 1, 3 (m), 6, 9, 2019
Featuring images of select art works from the collections of The Dallas Museum of Art!
The woman who has everything discovers too late that she has nothing – without true love!
Libretto by Domenico Oliva and Luigi Illica
Time: Late 18th century
Place: France and America
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Director: Edward Berkeley
Costume Designer: Tommy Bourgeois
Lighting Designer: Krista Billings
Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Kristin Lewis* (Manon Lescaut), Musa Ngqungwana (Lescaut), Gregory Kunde (Chevalier des Grieux), Andrea Silvestrelli (Geronte de Ravoir), Jonas Hacker* (Edmondo), Mark S. Doss (Innkeeper), Alyssa Martin (Singer), Matthew Grills* (Dance Master), Clay Hilley* (Lamplighter), Mark McCrory (Sergeant of the Royal Archers) and David Leigh* (Naval Captain).
LA BOHÈME by Giacomo Puccini
March 15, 17 (m), 20, 23, 29, 31 (m), 2019
The most timeless love story in all of opera returns to break your heart!
Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica
Time: 19th century
Place: The Latin Quarter of Paris, France
Conductor: Giuliano Carella
Director: Tomer Zvulun
Set Designer: Erhard Rom
Costume Designer: Peter J. Hall
Lighting Designer: Robert Wierzel
Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Jean-François Borras* (Rodolfo), Pumeza Matshikiza** (Mimi), Anthony Clark Evans* (Marcello), Sara Gartland (Musetta), Will Liverman* (Schaunard), Nicholas Brownlee* (Colline), and Samuel Ramey (Benoit/Alcindoro).
FALSTAFF by Giuseppe Verdi
April 26, 28 (m), May 1, 4, 2019
Shakespeare’s uproarious comedy brought to musical life!
Libretto by Arrigo Boito
Time: During the reign of Henry IV of England
Place: Windsor
Conductor: Riccardo Frizza
Original Director: Lee Blakeley
Revival Director: Shawna Lucey*
Set and Costume Designer: Adrian Linford*
Lighting Designer: Rick Fisher*
Wig & Make-up Designer: Dawn Rivard
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Mark Delavan* (Sir John Falstaff), Angela Meade (Alice Ford), Quinn Kelsey* (Ford), Mojca Erdmann* (Nanetta), Airam Hernández* (Fenton), Stephanie Blythe* (Dame Quickly), Megan Marino* (Meg Page), Alex Mansoori* (Bardolfo), Andrea Silvestrelli (Pistola), and Robert Brubaker (Dr. Caius).
* Dallas Opera Debut
** American Debut
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Celeste Hart 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org celeste.hart@dallasopera.org
The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild
Are Proud to Jointly Announce the Outstanding
Semi-Finalists of the 29th Annual
“Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition”
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Admission $5! Lexus Red Parking $5!
Audience Members Vote on “People’s Choice”
Visit www.dallasopera.org/vocal
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Finals: Sunday, April 30, 2017, 7:30 p.m.
The Centerpiece of TDO’s Annual
Springs Gala: An Evening of Rising Stars
Conducted by Music Director Emmanuel Villaume
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The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House
At the AT&T Performing Arts Center
2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
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Honoring Dr. Susan Fleming
DALLAS, FEBRUARY 7, 2017 –Twenty of the finest young opera singers in the United States will be competing in the 29th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition presented, jointly, by The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild.
These talented artists will compete onstage in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas on April 29 & 30, 2017. At stake are thousands of dollars in cash awards and coveted honors including the “People’s Choice Award” selected during the Finals Round by audience ballot. The competition will serve as the centerpiece of The Dallas Opera’s glamorous Springs Gala, an annual fundraising celebration of opera’s fast-rising stars.
Patrons have the option of attending
• The free Semi-Finals Round on April 29th
• The complete Springs Gala evening on April 30th
• The Finals Round and Awards Ceremony only on April 30th
• Or, the Finals Round, Awards Ceremony and the post-performance party!
Tickets range from absolutely free (for the April 29th Semi-Finals) to $5 for the Finals Round and Awards Ceremony (available online at dallasopera.org/vocal).
A $750 “host ticket” will cover the entire gala evening, including a seated, gourmet, pre-competition dinner at 5:30 p.m., early seating for the vocal competition Finals Round at 7:30 p.m., and an invitation to the festive post-competition celebration at the Winspear Opera House.
For more information about the 2017 Springs Gala, visit dallasopera.org/gala or contact Special Events Manager Tracy Mott at tracy.mott@dallasopera.org.
With a renewed focus on encouraging the next generation of opera artists and audiences, proceeds from this stellar evening will go to support the multifaceted education programs of The Dallas Opera.
Two great Dallas Opera traditions create one truly remarkable evening of music, competition and celebration! It is certain to be an affair—and a weekend—you won’t want to miss!
Commented Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny: “The Guild Competition took a bold step forward in recent years and the results have been electrifying! Emmanuel Villaume and The Dallas Opera Orchestra have brought a significant level of excitement to these performances and clearly inspired last year’s finalists to rise to the occasion.
“However, each competition brings an entirely new set of challenges and gives us additional opportunities to build upon our previous success.
“Working closely with Dr. Brian Zeger, our esteemed adjudicators, and the Guild itself, we continually seek new ways to attract the very finest young singers of this generation. Their presence on the Winspear stage also promises to make our second annual Springs Gala: An Evening of Rising Stars, one of the most sought-after tickets in town.
“I am also extremely pleased that, with the energetic leadership of Brian Zeger,” Cerny adds, “we have been able to assemble such a distinguished panel of industry leaders and decision makers to judge this stellar event, making it a unique showcase for artists ready to take their careers to a higher level.”
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This year, the twenty semi-finalists were selected from a group of 364 applicants from 35 states—and one competitor currently residing in Germany (residents of the U.S. territories are eligible to apply for the prestigious competition, as well) by a panel of preliminary judges that included American pianist and educator Dr. Brian Zeger of the Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts at The Juilliard School, and David Lomeli, Casting and Hart Institute for Women Conductors Manager.
The quest for these gifted young singers will begin with the Semi-Finals Round of the Vocal Competition at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017.
Six finalists will be selected to return the following evening, Sunday, April 30th at 7:30 p.m., to perform with The Dallas Opera Orchestra, conducted by internationally acclaimed Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume.
“I am very proud to collaborate with our Guild on the expanded national competition,” adds Keith Cerny, the Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO. “This is an outstanding opportunity for the entire community to experience opera’s ‘next wave’ and to show their enthusiasm and support for the hopes and dreams of these deserving young artists.”
THE 2017 SEMI-FINALISTS
FOR THE DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION
• Jared Bybee, baritone, age 30, Resident Artist at Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia
• Helena Brown, soprano, age 28, Resident Artist at Glimmerglass Festival
• Raehann Bryce-Davis, mezzo-soprano, age 30, Merola Opera Program Graduate
• Jacquelyn Stucker, soprano, age 27, Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program Graduate
• Mane Galoyan, soprano, age 23, Currently at Houston Grand Opera Studio
• Leah Hawkins, soprano, age 26, Resident Artist at the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera
• Takaoki Onishi, baritone, age 29, Member of the Ryan Center at Lyric Opera Chicago
• Theo Hoffman, baritone, age 23, Member of Domingo Colburn Stein Young Artists Los Angeles Opera
• Alasdair Kent, tenor, age 29, Resident Artist at Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia
• Alexandra Loutsion, soprano, age 33, Pittsburgh Opera Studio Graduate
• Alyssa Martin, mezzo-soprano, age 27, Member of the Arizona Opera Studio
• Meredith Mecum, soprano, age 31, Merola Opera Program Graduate
• Miles Mykkanen, tenor, age 25, Artist Diploma in Opera Studies at the Juilliard School of Music
• Daniel Noyola, bass-baritone, age 24, Resident Artist at Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia
• Mario Rojas, tenor, age 23, Member of the Ryan Center at Lyric Opera Chicago
• Brent Turner, tenor, age 33, 2016 McCammon Competition Winner
• Laura Wilde, soprano, age 30, Member of the Ryan Center at Lyric Opera Chicago
• Kihun Yoon, baritone, age 35, Member of Domingo Colburn Stein Young Artists Los Angeles Opera
• Samantha Hankey, mezzo-soprano, age 24, Artist Diploma in Opera Studies at the Juilliard School of Music
• Xiaomeng Zhang, baritone, age 23, Masters in Music at Manhattan School of Music Graduate
Competitors in the 2016 Competition took home prize monies totaling $18,500. Although this competition has as its primary focus artists in the 18 to 34 age range, singers of any age were eligible to apply and considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition originally focused on young artists with Texas roots or Lone Star academic connections, and its many distinguished alumni include luminaries from throughout the opera world: Latonia Moore, Clifton Forbis, Marjorie Owens, Weston Hurt, Steven LaBrie, Amanda Woodbury, Jesus Garcia, J’nai Bridges, Anthony Clark Evans, and most recently, Kang Wang and Virginie Verrez.
As the competition sought to gain even greater prominence and significance, The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild made significant changes in 2015, prompting Dallas Morning News Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell to write that the competition had “considerably upped its ante.” The evolution didn’t stop there:
• In order to attract the most talented applicant pool with the greatest potential, the eligibility criteria for applicants changed. Today, it is open to residents of all 50 states and U.S. Territories, including international students attending American colleges, universities, and music conservatories. Also eligible are active members of any young artist program associated with an American opera company.
• The Finals Round, taking place on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 7:30 pm in the Winspear Opera House as part of The Dallas Opera’s annual Springs Gala, will be accompanied by The Dallas Opera Orchestra, conducted by TDO’s internationally acclaimed Music Director, Emmanuel Villaume. Up to six finalists will participate, singing two arias each.
The impact of these changes was immediately perceived. Senior Classical Music Critic Gregory Sullivan Isaacs of theaterjones.com wrote: “The results surely exceeded expectations for this newly re-envisioned competition…It won’t take long to situate itself at the top of such events and become an important gold star on any young artist’s résumé.”
Dallas Opera Guild Co-President Jana Irwin explained that “The Dallas Opera Guild views this annual competition as the capstone of our philanthropic and supportive endeavors. The need to support the future of opera is so profound, particularly as it relates to young and somewhat unknown singers. As singers are selected, their professional stature automatically increases due to press and media exposure. However, the competition itself provides additional benefits for these singers, as well as the local opera community. It is truly a win-win situation for all concerned.”
Dallas Opera Guild 2017 Vocal Competition Chairs Bob and Patsy Brooks write: “The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition gives singers pursuing a professional opera career the opportunity to showcase their talents and compete with other singers for financial rewards. Best of all is the chance to perform before a panel of distinguished judges celebrated throughout the opera world.”
Lexus Red Parking is available for just $5 at both the Semi-Finals Round, from 11:00 AM until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 29th as well as the Finals Round of the competition the following evening, Sunday, April 30th at 7:30 p.m. in the Winspear Opera House.
The list of judges for the 2017 Vocal Competition reads like an opera management “Who’s Who”:
Judges for the 2017 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition:
Brian Zeger, Chair
Artistic Director of the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts
The Juilliard School
Keith Cerny
The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO of The Dallas Opera
Emmanuel Villaume
The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director, The Dallas Opera
Andreas Melinat
Director of Artistic Planning, Lyric Opera of Chicago
Pal Moe
Casting Director, Bavarian State Opera;
Casting Consultant, Glyndebourne Festival and Opéra de Lille
Joshua Winograde
Senior Director, Artistic Planning, Los Angeles Opera
Diane Zola
Director of Artistic Administration, Houston Grand Opera
However, the judging isn’t left entirely to the professionals; “amateur” music lovers will have the opportunity to express their views, too. Audience participation is part of the fun at each year’s Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition. For the eighteenth consecutive year, attendees will be given the chance to vote on their personal favorites to receive the “People’s Choice Award.”
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Honoring Dr. Susan Fleming
This year’s vocal competition honors former Dallas Opera Guild President and current Board Member, Dr. Susan Fleming, renowned for her philanthropy and leadership as well as her continuing work with children with communication disorders.
As a bachelor’s and master’s student in speech pathology and audiology at SMU, she thrived in the classroom. Her career path included working at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, directing the preschool at the Greenhill School and maintaining her own private practice. Over the years, Dr. Fleming honed her skills by providing evaluations of children, designing curriculum and working in admissions.
She joined the Shelton Evaluation Center (a division of the Shelton School) in 1993; serving as director until 2009 when she became director emeritus of the center.
Dr. Fleming dedicates her time away from work to numerous professional and volunteer organizations. She is co-chair of the Dream Team of the Rotary Club of Dallas, a program that provides mentors, encouragement and scholarships to local high school students who might otherwise be unable to attend college. Dr. Fleming recently became a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) in Dallas, appointed by judges to work for a year with specific children removed from their home environments by CPS. This UT Dallas Distinguished Alumni Award winner has held numerous positions with the Dallas Opera Guild Board.
“I am touched by my selection,” writes Susan Fleming, “as this places me in the company of the dynamic guild leaders I have admired; those who have contributed so much to The Dallas Opera Guild’s effectiveness in promoting and sustaining the annual Vocal Competition.
“Each person who contributes to this competition,” she adds, “should feel proud to be helping promote young singers as they strive for success in this especially beautiful art form.”
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SPECIAL THANKS
TO THE AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND STAFF
FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE
2017 DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION
EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG
2016-2017 SEASON SPONSOR
The Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family
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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
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The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by
Texas Instruments and the Betty and Steve Suellentrop
Educational Outreach Fund.
TDO Family Performances are a part of the
Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs
TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE 2016-2017 DALLAS OPERA SEASON
All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise indicated. Single Tickets range from $19 to $275. Full Subscriptions (five opera productions) begin at $95; Flex Subscriptions (three-performances of your choice) begin at $75. Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.
THE DALLAS OPERA 2016-2017 SPRING SEASON INFORMATION
The Dallas Opera celebrates its Sixtieth 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.
MADAME BUTTERFLY by Giacomo Puccini
March 10, 12(m), 15, 18, 24, & 26(m), 2017
The must see, heart-wrenching Italian opera!
Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa & Luigi Illica
Time: 1904
Place: Nagasaki, Japan
Conductor: Donato Renzetti
Stage Director: John Copley
Set Designer: Michael Yeargan
Costume Designer: Anita Yavich
Lighting Designer: Duane Schuler
Wig & Make-up Designer: Stephanie Williams
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Hui He* (Cio-Cio-San), Gianluca Terranova* (B.F. Pinkerton), Manuela Custer (Suzuki), Lucas Meachem* (Sharpless), David Cangelosi (Goro), Reginald Smith, Jr.* (The Bonze), Will Hughes (Prince Yamadori), Mark McCrory (Imperial Commissioner), Samuel P.J. Lopez (Registrar), Angela Turner Wilson (Kate Pinkerton), Sorrow (TBD)
A classic, period production (new to Dallas) from the San Francisco Opera!
THE TURN OF THE SCREW by Benjamin Britten
March 17, 19(m), 22 & 25, 2017
A dark and gripping tale!
Libretto by Myfanwy Piper
Time: 1950s
Place: Bly, an English country house
Conductor: Nicole Paiement
Original Production: Jonathan Kent
Stage Director: Francesca Gilpin*
Set Designer: Paul Brown
Costume Designer: Paul Brown
Original Lighting Designer: Mark Henderson
Lighting Design Recreated by: David Manion
Wig and Make-up Designer: Stephanie Williams
Starring: William Burden (Prologue/Peter Quint), Emma Bell* (Governess), Oliver Nathanielsz* (Miles), Ashley Emerson* (Flora), Dolora Zajick* (Mrs. Grose), Alexandra LoBianco* (Miss Jessel)
An acclaimed production from Glyndebourne!
NORMA by Vincenzo Bellini
April 21, 23(m), 26, 29, May 7(m), 2017
A thrilling and suspenseful masterpiece!
Libretto by Felice Romani
Time: 50 B.C.
Place: Roman-occupied Gaul
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Stage Director: Nic Muni
Set Designer: John Conklin
Costume Designer: John Conklin
Lighting Designer: Thomas Hase
Wig & Make-up Designer: Stephanie Williams
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Elza van den Heever (Norma), Marina Costa Jackson* (Adalgisa), Yonghoon Lee* (Pollione), Christian Van Horn (Oroveso), Mithra Mastropierro* (Clotilde), Charles Karanja (Flavio)
An atmospheric production from Cincinnati Opera!
* Dallas Opera Debut
** American Debut
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The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Texas Instruments Foundation, TACA, City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs; the Texas Commission on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News. A special thanks to the Elsa von Seggern Foundation for its continuing support.
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