Dallas Opera Announces Tenth Public Simulcast, LA BOHÈME, 3/21

The Dallas Opera, in partnership with AT&T Stadium and with support from our founding sponsor, The Dallas Foundation, is extremely proud to announce the company's fourth stadium simulcast-and the tenth free Dallas Opera simulcast since 2010-scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX (home of the Dallas Cowboys).

Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. The curtain time for that evening's live performance of Giacomo Puccini's beloved 19th century masterpiece, LA BOHÈME, from the Shannon and Ted Skokos Stage in the Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas is 7:30 p.m.

Patrons will be able to enjoy this landmark live simulcast on the world's largest high-definition video board structure, comprised of four massive viewing screens (the largest, 72 feet tall and 160 feet wide) suspended directly above the playing field.

This performance will take place as part of The Dallas Opera's nationally recognized, free public simulcast program, which has attracted more than 50,000 attendees over the past four years.

The Dallas Opera's 2015 AT&T Stadium Simulcast is expected to draw thousands more to enjoy one of the greatest "date nights" in opera: Puccini's charming, touching and highly romantic masterpiece about life among the young bohemians of the Latin Quarter of Paris has been a popular favorite since it first premiered in 1896. This Dallas Opera production was designed by the late Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, with costumes by the late Peter J. Hall, both legendary designers.

The conductor of LA BOHÈME will be Riccardo Frizza in his much-anticipated company debut. Maestro Frizza is described by Seen and Heard as "totally convincing, conducting his forces with both strength and gentleness, always supporting the singers and getting fine results from the orchestra." TDO will welcome back acclaimed singer-turned-director Peter Kazaras to marshal the throngs that breathe life into this zesty and colorful production.

And what a cast!

Grammy Award-winning Latin American soprano Ana María Martínez returns to the Dallas Opera (following her star turn in our 2008 production of Die Fledermaus) to sing the role of the frail seamstress, Mimi. According to Mark Thomas Ketterson of Opera News, Ms. Martinez has shown herself to be "a radiantly vulnerable Mimi, consistently employing her darkly textured lyric soprano with great sensitivity to dynamics and text."

Described as Britain's "go-to tenor for grand opera," New Orleans native Bryan Hymel will portray the poet Rodolfo with a voice described by Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times as "dark-hued and muscular, with a quick vibrato and earthy texture...Mr. Hymel sang with unflagging stamina and impetuous abandon, capped with some exciting full-voiced top notes." He made his 2011 Dallas Opera debut as Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, which earned the artist a nomination for the 2012 "Maria Callas Award" for achieving one of the most notable debuts that season.

Soprano Davinia Rodriguez, born in Spain's Canary Islands and now living in Italy, makes her Dallas Opera debut in this production as the irrepressible Musetta. Praised by The Seattle Times as "dramatically convincing and vocally resplendent," Ms. Rodriguez will be paired with baritone Jonathan Beyer (Captain Gardiner in the Dallas Opera's 2010 world premiere production of Moby-Dick) as the equally mercurial Marcello. Diana Burgwyn of Opera Now found Mr. Beyer "totally at ease with his physical and vocal self (with) a rounded, sure baritone voice and excellent diction." Added Tom Huizenga of The Washington Post: "Beyer has the luxury of a robust, handsome voice, and promising years ahead."

The international ensemble cast includes Russian bass Alexander Vinogradov, an artist who made his acclaimed Bolshoi Theatre debut at the age of 21. He will sing the role of the philosophical Colline. Native son Steven LaBrie, winner of the 2009 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, is a baritone who dazzled in the role of the smuggler, Le Dancaïre in our 2013 Carmen. He continues to impress audiences with his acting as well as his vocal abilities. Opera Now labels LaBrie "a young baritone to watch."

Bass Stefan Szkafarowsky, from New York City, sang in the Dallas Opera's triumphant 2011 production of Boris Godunov and will return to our stage for the dual roles of Benoit the landlord and Musetta's unfortunate suitor, Alcindoro.

Lighting design is by Thomas C. Hase. Wig and make-up design is by David Zimmerman and chorus preparation by Dallas Opera Chorus Master Alexander Rom.

The children's chorus will be prepared by Melinda Cotten.

The Dallas Opera's AT&T Stadium Simulcast is one of six performances of the opera that will take place on March 13, 15(m), 18, 21, 27 & 29(m), 2015 in the Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Free general admission tickets to The Dallas Opera's La bohème AT&T Stadium Simulcast can be obtained through the Dallas Opera website, beginning tomorrow, January 13, 2015, atwww.dallasopera.org/simulcast.

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