Dallas Opera Premieres New Season with THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Tonight

The Dallas Opera's thrilling season-opening production of the 2014-2015 "Heights of Passion" Season is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, a revolutionary romantic comedy filled with memorable music and unforgettable characters. The Marriage of Figaro opens tonight, October 24, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center located in the Dallas Arts District at 2403 Flora Street.

Opening Night festivities begin with a magnificent red carpet entrance and a sumptuous FIRST NIGHT Pre-Performance Dinner (beginning at 6:00 p.m.) co-chaired byNancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger.

The Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance of The Marriage of Figaro will begin at 8:00 p.m. with subsequent performances scheduled on October 26(m), 29, November 1, 7, and 9(m), 2014.

A high-spirited After Party, co-chaired by Jenifer Strauss and Robert Weatherly, begins just as the opera ends. For more information about all FIRST NIGHT events, please visit our website at www.dallasopera.org/support/special-events/first-night.

Flex subscriptions begin at $75 for the 2014-2015 Season, with full subscriptions starting at $95. Single tickets are also available and start at $19.Contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214-443-1000 or purchase online, 24/7 atwww.dallasopera.org.

After a series of entertaining twists and turns over the course of one day, Figaro finally weds his true love. At first glance, The Marriage of Figaro appears to be a story about love and desire. Yet beneath the romantic comedy, there is another tale-that of the servant class cleverly outwitting the upper class-a concept that was nothing short of revolutionary in its day. In this 1786 opera buffa, the music conveys the characters and storyline as effectively as Da Ponte's brilliant libretto, based on the groundbreaking play by Beaumarchais. Patrons will also tap along to one of the best-known overtures in Western Music.

Our distinguished music director, Emmanuel Villaume, will take the podium to conduct this acclaimed 18th century masterpiece. According to a recent review by The Financial Times, Maestro Villaume is "the seasoned specialist on the podium, (who) conveyed equal parts savoir-faire and inspiration. He sustained reasonable momentum...and reinforced a delicate balance between lyrical restraint and dramatic exuberance."

"I have a special connection to Le nozze di Figaro: it is the first opera I conducted, in 1990, for the Spoleto Festival USA," explains Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume. "A promising young soprano was singing the countess; her name was Renée Fleming.

"Mozart takes the wit and craziness inherent in Beaumarchais marvelous play and elevates it to another level. The rhythm and pace of the opera are dizzying! Dramatic and musical constructions complement each other in a rare balance of sophistication, grace and expressive power.

"In the end," adds Maestro Villaume, "The Marriage of Figaro is one of those rare musical achievements that not only depicts the human condition in all its ambivalence and beauty, but is in itself a near-miraculous work of genius. Mozart's brilliant interpretation is packed with profound insights which reveal how the world works and, in doing so, change it."

Joining Maestro Villaume in crafting this masterpiece is Stage Director Kevin Moriarty, the acclaimed Artistic Director of the Dallas Theater Center, in his Winspear Opera House debut.

"This will be my first opportunity to direct a major work of the standard repertoire, and will allow everyone involved to kick up our heels with laughter at the hilarious plot, marvel at the musical wonders of Mozart's beautiful score, and delve into bringing these wonderfully rich characters to life on the Winspear stage.

"What a joy it will be!" exclaimed Mr. Moriarty.

"I am so proud to have this opportunity to bring together two of the most talented and original artists at work today in the Arts District," adds Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny. "Emmanuel and Kevin have earned the admiration and high esteem of music and theater lovers everywhere, and their first collaboration seems likely to result in a truly memorable and intelligent production-with a phenomenal cast. If I didn't already have my tickets, I'd be online making that purchase right now."

Starring as Figaro is Italian bass-baritone Mirco Palazzi, who made his U.S. debut with The Dallas Opera in 2010 starring as the cagey Leporello, opposite Paulo Szot, in Mozart's Don Giovanni. The Associated Press hailed his performance as showing "great spirit and comic timing".

Our female leading lady is the lovely Austrian soprano Beate Ritter, starring as Susanna, Figaro's love interest and bride-to-be. She makes her American debut in this production after establishing herself as an audience favorite in Europe, specializing in Mozart roles, including The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute and Blonde in The Abduction from the Seraglio. Her character, Susanna, conspires with Countess Almaviva to set up the Countess' husband in order to expose his lustful desires.

Described by Opera Insider as "sensational, with one of the most beautifully lyric, full-bodied and honeyed voices I have ever heard", lovely Australian soprano Nicole Carstars as the deceived Countess. She is making her exciting American debut with this performance after thrilling audiences "down-under" with several spectacular leading lady portrayals for Opera Australia.

For our philandering Count Almaviva, The Dallas Opera has cast "one of the twenty-five artists poised to define opera for this generation," (Opera News)-Canadian baritoneJoshua Hopkins. He has also been described as "...an outstanding young baritone with a virile, vigorous yet velvety sound and an immediately evident dramatic authority," by The Globe and Mail (U.K.).

The vivacious "pants role" of Cherubino, a young man who becomes enamored with every woman he meets, will be performed by mezzo-soprano Emily Fons. The Chicago Tribune asked "has there ever been a more winning impersonation? Her 'Voi che sapete' is enough to melt the Countess' heart, and our own as well."

This exceptional ensemble also includes bass Kevin Langan, who stars in the buffo role of Doctor Bartolo. As one of America's most sought-after basses, he has performed with The Dallas Opera in 11 productions including his debut in 1985 in La Fanciulla del West.

The other principal artists in this outstanding cast are world renowned British mezzo-soprano Diana Montague who makes her long-awaited TDO debut as Marcellina,acclaimed character tenor Doug Jones as Don Basilio, soprano Deanna Breiwick in her company debut as Barbarina, bass Adam Lau in his TDO debut as Antonio, the gardener, and tenor Jon Kolbet as Don Curzio.

Production design for The Marriage of Figaro is by John Bury in this classic stage setting from Lyric Opera of Chicago. Joel Ferrel, the Associate Artistic Director of the Dallas Theater Center, is the production choreographer. The Dallas Opera Chorus will be prepared by Chorus Master Alexander Rom.

Performances will continue on October 26(m), 29, November 1, 7 & 9(m), 2014 in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, selected by Southern Living as the best new venue for opera. All evening performances besides the Opening Night of the Season will begin promptly at 7:30 PM. Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 PM.

A free pre-performance lecture ("The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talks") will be conducted one hour prior to curtain at most performances. The Dallas Opera Guild also hosts "Opera Insights," a lively panel discussion featuring artists, directors and designers, on the Sunday afternoon prior to opening. For more details, visit dallasopera.org.

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