Presented by Joy and Ronald Mankoff
Want to learn more about the opera you are seeing? Want to beat the traffic and enjoy a beverage while you learn? Join The Dallas Opera (TDO) for the Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talks one hour before each TDO performance.
Pre-Opera Talks are informative and interactive 25-minute lectures featuring opera experts from all over the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Pre-Opera Talks are FREE with a ticket to a TDO performance and are designed to increase your knowledge and enjoyment of opera.
Pre-Opera Talks: Know Before You Go
- Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talks are held in the McDermott Performance Hall (located in eastern corner of the lobby) beginning one hour before each TDO performance in the Winspear Opera House (6:30 PM for evening performances and 1:00 PM for Sunday Matinees, unless otherwise noted).
- Seating is first-come, first-served. In order to provide an educational and enjoyable environment for the speaker and attendees, seating will be closed 15 minutes after the discussion begins.
This Season’s Pre-Opera Talks
THE ELIXIR OF LOVE
Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk: Hosted by Hank Hammett, this interactive 30-minute lecture begins one hour before the start of each opera in the Margaret McDermott Performance Hall. Admission is free with your ticket to a Dallas Opera performance.
Note: There is no Pre-Opera Talk on Opening Night, Friday, October 9, 2026.
Sunday Post-Opera Talkback: Immediately following the Sunday matinee performance from the stage, this brief and casual Q&A session with members of the cast gives you an opportunity to ask questions about the performance. Hosted by Kristian Roberts, Director of Education for The Dallas Opera.
THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN
Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk: Hosted by The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, this interactive 30-minute lecture begins one hour before the start of each opera in the Margaret McDermott Performance Hall. Admission is free with your ticket to a Dallas Opera performance.
Sunday Post-Opera Talkback: Immediately following the Sunday matinee performance from the stage, this brief and casual Q&A session with members of the cast gives you an opportunity to ask questions about the performance. Hosted by David Lomelí, The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO at The Dallas Opera.
TURANDOT
Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk: Hosted by The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, this interactive 30-minute lecture begins one hour before the start of each opera in the Margaret McDermott Performance Hall. Admission is free with your ticket to a Dallas Opera performance.
Sunday Post-Opera Talkback: Immediately following the Sunday matinee performance from the stage, this brief and casual Q&A session with members of the cast gives you an opportunity to ask questions about the performance. Hosted by Kristian Roberts, Director of Education for The Dallas Opera.
LOHENGRIN
Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk: Hosted by The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, this interactive 30-minute lecture begins one hour before the start of each opera in the Margaret McDermott Performance Hall. Admission is free with your ticket to a Dallas Opera performance.
Note: Pre-Opera Talks for evening performances of LOHENGRIN will begin at 6:00 PM.
Sunday Post-Opera Talkback: Immediately following the Sunday matinee performance from the stage, this brief and casual Q&A session with members of the cast gives you an opportunity to ask questions about the performance. Hosted by David Lomelí, The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO at The Dallas Opera.
Photo: Cooper Neill