Dallas Opera Announces Springs Gala and Vocal Competition

The Dallas Opera announces one remarkable evening of music, competition, and celebration as two great traditions come together. The Dallas Opera Springs Gala 2017returns this year in partnership with the final round of the 29th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition. The events focus on encouraging the next generation of artists with proceeds from the Gala to support the company's education programs.

The Guild Vocal Competition Semi-Finals features twenty of the finest young opera singers in the United States competing for prestige and prizes Saturday, April 29, 2017, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. This free event, from which up to six finalists will be chosen, takes place at the Winspear Opera House.

The Finals are held the following day, Sunday, April 30, 2017, 7:30-10:00 p.m. also at the Winspear Opera House, as part of the Springs Gala. Each artist sings two arias and is accompanied by the acclaimed Dallas Opera Orchestra, conducted by the Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume. The Mistress of Ceremonies for the event is charismatic soprano Marina Costa-Jackson, who is currently starring in the role of "the other woman" Adalgisa in TDO's production of Norma.

The judges for this year's competition, which include some of the most important artistic leaders from major American and International companies, are: Brian Zeger - Chair (The Julliard School), Keith Cerny (the Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO of The Dallas Opera), Emmanuel Villaume, Andreas Melinat (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Pål Moe (Bavarian State Opera), Diane Zola (Houston Grand Opera), and Joshua Winograde (Metropolitan Opera).
Last year, prize monies totaling $18,500 were awarded to the young competitors. Audience members can also take part in the festivities by casting their vote in the popular "People's Choice" category, also awarded that evening. Tickets for the Finals are $5 and available online, at the door, or by calling our Ticket Office at 214-443-1000.

The Dallas Opera Springs Gala 2017 is an elegant evening that features wonderful dining, dancing, and a performance by Ms. Costa-Jackson that takes place in the magnificent Winspear Opera House. The gourmet dinner will be prepared by culinary master Wolfgang Puck. After the Finals, patrons who attend the Gala are invited to share in the celebration at a Post-Competition party with the artists and the judges. Ms. Costa-Jackson will dazzle guests with selections from Broadway and opera. The Marc Toussaint Combo, the jazz and swing band, will perform great danceable standards certain to get party-goers movin'. Gala tickets are $500 and include vocal competition priority seating ticket and complimentary valet parking. The proceeds from the Gala help nurture and support the education programs of The Dallas Opera which bring the magic of opera to students throughout North Texas. For further information visit dallasopera.org/gala or call 214-443-1063.

According to Dallas Opera Guild 2017 Vocal Competition Chairs Patsy and Bob Brooks, "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."

The prominence of the Vocal Competition was greatly enhanced three years ago when it was expanded from a regional event to a major national event. This change reflected the continuing goals of Keith Cerny to elevate the company's artistic quality, establish and grow local artistic partnerships, and maximize the company's national and international reputation. He also added several new elements. Mr. Cerny enlisted Dr. Brian Zeger of The Julliard School to chair the distinguished judges' panel, engaged The Dallas Opera Orchestra to rehearse and perform with the young artists, and requested internationally acclaimed conductor Emmanuel Villaume to lead the performances. These improvements showed immediate results as a record setting number of higher caliber performers applied for the competition.

Honoring Dr. Susan Fleming

This year's vocal competition honors former Dallas Opera Guild President Dr. Susan Fleming, renowned for her philanthropy and leadership as well as her continuing work with children with communication disorders. Dr. Fleming dedicates her time away from work to numerous professional and volunteer organizations including the Dream Team of the Rotary Club of Dallas and CASA, and has held several positions with The Dallas Opera Guild Board. She is also a UT Dallas Distinguished Alumni Award winner.

"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."

Lexus Red Parking is available for just $5 at both the Semi-Finals Round, from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 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.

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. 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 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.

Please note: There will be no Pre-Opera Talk for EVEREST, ARJUNA'S DILEMMA, or THE MAGIC PIANO.

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!

ARJUNA'S DILEMMA by Douglas J. Cuomo

Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

An exotic and appealing soundscape!

Based on text from the Bhagavad Gita

Time: Thousands of years ago

Place: India

Conductor: Nicole Paiement

Projection Designer: William Cusick

Sound Designer: Mark Grey

Lighting Designer: Krista Billings

Wig & Make-up Designer: Lexi O'Reilly

Starring: Humayun Khan* (Krishna), Tony Boutté* (Arjuna), Katrina Galka* (Quartet), Audra Methvin (Quartet), Alyssa Martin* (Quartet), Lindsay Ammann* (Quartet)

EVEREST by Joby Talbot (a semi-staged performance with projections)

Friday, May 5, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

A powerful and poignant masterpiece!

Libretto by Gene Scheer

Time: 1990's

Place: Mt. Everest

Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume

Stage Director: Leonard Foglia

Lighting Designer: Krista Billings

Projections Designer: Elaine J. McCarthy

Recording Engineer: Mark Grey

Wig & Make-up Designer: Lexi O'Reilly

Chorus Master: Alexander Rom

Starring: Kevin Burdette (Beck Weathers), Andrew Bidlack (Rob Hall), Michael Mayes (Doug Hansen), Sarah Jane McMahon (Jan Arnold), Julia Rose Arduino (Meg Weathers), John Boehr (Guy Cotter, Mike Groom)

With a special world premiere Prelude!

EVEREST PRELUDE with music by Joby Talbot

Film Realization: Elizabeth Seymour

Film Credit: The British Film Institute

THE MAGIC PIANO & The Chopin Shorts by BreakThru Films

Music by Frédéric Chopin

Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

The "Passport Zone" in the Winspear Lobby starts at 12:30 p.m.

A charming adventure for all ages!

Pianist: Derek Wang*

* 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.

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