Dallas Opera's Educational Initiatives Announced

The Dallas Opera is extremely pleased to announce a significant expansion of our educational programs, beginning in the summer of 2011. These programs are designed to underscore TDO's renewed commitment to educational excellence in the arts, both inside and outside the traditional opera house.

The Dallas Opera initiative will be launched this month with two brand-new programs: "TDOinaSuitcase^TM" and "campTDO^TM." As the summer months come to an end, the company will introduce additional groundbreaking programs for the upcoming school year-all presented through the generosity of Texas Instruments.

"TDOinaSuitcase" enables kids to create fun-filled props or costumes to use as they re-enact dramatic or dynamic scenes from the world's most famous operas! Designed for groups of students in grades 3 through 8 attending summer programs, the Dallas Opera will bring a suitcase full of arts and crafts projects and musical activities to engage kids in the classroom, library or community center. The FREE 45-minute programs will be conducted every Wednesday throughout the months of June and July. Dates can be reserved by contacting TDO at www.dallasopera.org/suitcase.

"campTDO" enables youngsters to explore and create their own theatrical/musical magic with the help of the Dallas Opera. Under the careful-yet-imaginative guidance of teaching artists, kids will get a behind-the-scenes experience of what it takes to perform in a real, live opera. This FREE, one-day camp designed for organized groups of 3rd through 8th grade students (enrolled in summer school programs) will be held at the Karayanis Rehearsal Production Center located at 4301 S. Fitzhugh, Dallas, just outside Fair Park. The program will run from 10:30 AM until 12:30 PM on June 21, June 23, July 19 and July 21.
Reserve space for your class today at www.dallasopera.org/camptdo.
~~~~

The Dallas Opera is committed to bringing arts education programming to the students of North Texas. For the upcoming 2011-2012 school year, TDO has increased the number of student performances while drastically reducing the cost per student. In an era of tight budgets and a wider variety of student needs, TDO is intent on offering schools and teachers more and better options. Whether we come to a school campus or make it possible for students to attend an actual performance in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, our programs include TEKS-aligned curriculum materials and comprehensive teacher training to take the students' opera experience beyond the stage and into the classroom.

"With support from Texas Instruments, the Dallas Opera has been able to re-evaluate and revise our entire slate of educational initiatives to make them more relevant, more mobile and vastly more responsive to the needs of individual students and the schools they attend," says Dallas Opera Chief Marketing Officer / Director of Community Outreach Jennifer Schuder.
"It has become increasingly obvious that we need to go where the kids are-whether that means local community centers, after-school programs, or the mall. At the same time, it's vital that we also open the opera house environment to students with all levels of interest in the arts, in order to educate, enrich and entertain, while de-mystifying the process of creating great music and exciting theater," she adds.

"We want young people to understand that we're at the dawn of a wonderful new era," explains Dallas Opera General Director & CEO Keith Cerny, "Exceptional talent and hard work coupled with the incredible 21st century technologies now available to creative artists and cutting-edge designers have expanded the boundaries of what's possible as never before!
"It's not enough to educate young people about musical theory; we have to give our students immediate access-whether as patrons or in a hands-on capacity-to experience the changing, multi-faceted world of contemporary opera production for themselves."

Upcoming TDO Fall programs include:

TDO Student Performances@theWinspear
Grades 4 through 8; Cost per student - $4

Students attend an hour-long opera performance in the beautiful Winspear Opera House, located in the heart of the Dallas Arts District. The chandelier will go up, the house lights will come down and students will be treated to a performance of Georges Bizet's DOCTOR MIRACLE. This one-act, comedic gem encourages the discovery of true love through the making of an omelet! It's a perfect student introduction to the joys of opera.
Student performances are in partnership with the SMU Vocal Department and the UNT Opera Program. All performances are with piano accompaniment. For more information, call 214.443.1082.
Performance dates are:
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Friday, February 17, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012 (Already Sold-Out!)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
And all performances are scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM.
Options for Teacher Training:
Thursday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011

Deadline to reserve seats: October 1, 2011.
Go to www.dallasopera.org/houropera or, if you need a hard-copy registration form, send your request to education@dallasopera.org.
~~~~

TDO2go^TM
Grades 4 through 8; $550 per performance

TDO2go brings the excitement of the opera to the schoolhouse door! Ideal for student groups of 100 to 250, this new touring program brings Bizet's DOCTOR MIRACLE to the school cafeteria, auditorium or gym. TDO provides the 45-minute, One-Act opera. Schools provide a 15' x 20' performance space and a tuned piano. TDO2go performances are in partnership with the SMU Vocal Department and the UNT Opera Program. All performances are with piano accompaniment.
Performances will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays of select weeks in October, 2011 through April, 2012. All performances will be at 10:30 AM.
Options for Teacher Training: September 21, 28 & 29, 2011.
For more information, call 214.443.1082.

Deadline to reserve seats: October 1, 2011.
Go to www.dallasopera.org/tdo2go
~~~~

TDOSneakPeek^TM
Grades 6 through College; FREE program

Be the first to see a TDO production! TDOSneakPeek invites area middle school, high school and college music teachers to bring their students to a final dress rehearsal of one of the Dallas Opera's mainstage productions in the Winspear: LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, KATYA KABANOVÁ, TRISTAN & ISOLDE, LA TRAVIATA or THE MAGIC FLUTE. Students will observe the artistic process of creating opera during a working dress rehearsal. Seating is limited. Due to high demand, requests will be processed in order of response.
Rehearsal dates:
LUCIA - Weds., 10/19/11
KATYA - Tues., 10/25/11
TRISTAN (1) - Sat., 2/11/12
TRISTAN (2) - Mon. 2/13/12
TRAVIATA - Weds., 4/11/12
FLUTE - Tues., 4/17/12
All dress rehearsals will be conducted onstage in the Winspear Opera House beginning at 7:30 PM. Options for Teacher Training: Sept. 21, 28 & 29, 2011. Reserve your seats by the October 1st deadline at www.dallasopera.org/sneakpeek or call 214.443.1082.
~~~~

TDOSightlines^TM
Grades 6 through College; FREE program

Due to the configuration of seating in the Winspear Opera House, there are several areas of the performance venue that have restricted views of the stage. However, our loss is your gain! Through the TDOSightlines program, area middle school, high school and college music teachers are encouraged to bring their students to attend one of the designated TDO mainstage performances in the restricted view areas-FREE! Seating is limited and due to Heavy Demand, requests will be processed in order of response. Reserve seats at www.dallasopera.org/sightlines by October 1, 2011.
Performance Options: Opening Night and Mid-week performances of LUCIA, KATYA, TRISTAN, LA TRAVIATA and MAGIC FLUTE. Also, the first Sunday matinees of LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR and KATYA KABANOVÁ.
Options for Teacher Training: September 21, 28 & 29, 2011. For more information contact the Dallas Opera at 214.443.1082.
~~~~

TDOSkillSets^TM
Grades 11 through College; FREE program

TDOSkillSets is designed for students who are currently studying music or otherwise preparing for a career in the performing arts. Through this program, students will be given an opportunity to experience firsthand what it takes to put an opera onstage. Area high school and college music and drama teachers are encouraged to enroll to bring their students to a series of five events, each focusing on a different element of the creation process. At each event (scheduled between October, 2011 and April 2012), students will watch a portion of a working rehearsal before participating in a Q&A session with a singer, conductor, director or member of the production team.
Space is limited to 350 students. Requests will be processed in order of response, so, register now at www.dallasopera.org/skillsets or call 214.443.1082 for additional information. Deadline to register: October 1, 2011.
All program events will be conducted in the late afternoon or beginning at 7:30 PM.
Program Schedule:
#1 - Conductor Q&A at Sitzprobe for Lucia di Lammermoor
#2 - The Art of Costume Design: Q&A at Katya dress rehearsal
#3 - How Lighting and Projections are used in Opera: Tristan technical rehearsal
#4 - Artists Q&A at Sitzprobe for La traviata
#5 - Importance of Movement to an Opera Production: Q&A with Choreographer at a staging rehearsal for The Magic Flute.
Options for Teacher Training: September 21, 28 & 29, 2011.
~~~~

TDO Student Rush
Full-time Students up to 35 years of age
Best Available Seats (varies by performance) at $25 or $50

Any full-time student in possession of a valid Student ID can purchase a Student Rush Ticket to any TDO performance that is not already sold-out. $25 will purchase the best available seat in the balcony area. For $50, a student may have the best available seat on the Orchestra Floor. Retail value of these tickets will range from $50 to $200. They will be available at the Winspear Opera House box office 90-minutes prior to each performance; valid for walk-up only. For more information about TDO's season and our Student Rush program, visit www.dallasopera.org or call 214.443.1000.

The Dallas Opera wishes to express its profound gratitude to our
2011 Education Program Presenter: Texas Instruments.
~~~~
ALL PROGRAMS, EVENTS AND DATES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT "JUNE AT THE DALLAS OPERA"
IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7
VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG AND CHECK THE CALENDAR LISTINGS

For high-resolution, digital photographs suitable for print
To arrange an interview
Or for additional information
Please contact Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR
214.443.1014 or suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org

THE DALLAS OPERA WISHES TO EXPRESS ITS GRATITUDE TO OUR EXCLUSIVE PARTNERS:

AMERICAN AIRLINES - OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF THE DALLAS OPERA
LEXUS - OFFICIAL VEHICLE OF THE DALLAS OPERA
CARTIER - OFFICIAL JEWELER & WATCHMAKER OF THE DALLAS OPERA
ROSEWOOD CRESCENT HOTEL - OFFICIAL HOTEL OF THE DALLAS OPERA

Ticket Information for the 2011-2012 Dallas Opera Season

All performances are in the acoustically acclaimed Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Subscriptions start at just $85 and are on sale now. Single tickets go on sale in September. For more information, contact the friendly staff at The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online at www.dallasopera.org.

THE DALLAS OPERA 2011-2012 SEASON INFORMATION
The Dallas Opera celebrates its Fifty-Fifth International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in downtown Dallas. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees will begin at 2:00 p.m. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance. Assistance is available for the hearing impaired.

LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR by Gaetano Donizetti
Dead Men DO Wear Plaid!
October 21, 23(m), 26 & 29, and November 6(m), 2011
An opera in three acts first performed at Teatro San Carlo, Naples on September 26, 1835.
Text by Salvatore Cammarano, based on Sir Walter Scott's novel, The Bride of Lammermoor.
Time: Around 1700
Place: Scotland
Conductor: Riccardo Frizza
Stage Director: Garnett Bruce
Costume Design: Peter J. Hall
Lighting Design: Marie Barrett
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Fight Choreographer: Bill Lengfelder
Starring: Elena Mosuc* (Lucia Ashton), Bryan Hymel* (Sir Edgardo di Ravenwood), Luca Grassi** (Lord Enrico Ashton), Jordan Bisch* (Raimondo Bidebent), Scott Quinn (Normanno), Aaron Blake (Lord Arturo Bucklaw), and Cynthia Hanna* (Alisa).

KATYA KABANOVA by Leoš Janá?ek
October 28, 30(m), November 2, 5 & 13(m), 2011
Romance Reigns in Rural Russia!
An opera in three acts first performed in Brno, October 23, 1921.
Text by Cervinka, based on Ostrovsky's "The Storm."
Time: Around 1860
Place: The little town of Kalinov on the banks of the Volga River
Conductor: Graeme Jenkins
Stage Director: David Alden
Scenic Design: Charles Edwards
Costume Design: John Morrell
Lighting Designer: Adam Silverman*
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Patricia Racette (Katerina Kabanova), Susan Bickley* (Marfa Kabanova), Roger Honeywell* (Boris Grigoryevich), Anthony Dean Griffey* (Tikhon), John Tessier* (Vanya Kudrjas), Sasha Cooke* (Varvara), Andrew Shore (Dikoy), Ann McMahon Quintero* (Glasha), and Aaron Blake (A Passerby)

TRISTAN & ISOLDE by Richard Wagner
February 16, 19(m), 22 & 25, 2012
A Special Opera-in-Concert, with projections by Moby-Dick's Elaine McCarthy!
Ancient Myths, Modern Cine-Magic!
An opera in two acts first performed in Munich, June 10, 1865.
Text by Richard Wagner, based on an ancient Celtic and Icelandic legend.
Time: Legendary
Place: A ship at sea; outside King Marke's palace, Cornwall; Tristan's castle at Kareol
Conductor: Graeme Jenkins
Stage Director: Christian Räth
Video Design: Elaine McCarthy
Lighting Design: Alan Burrett
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Jeanne-Michele Charbonnet (Isolde), Clifton Forbis (Tristan), Elizabeth Bishop (Brangäne), Jukka Rasilainen** (Kurvenal), Kristinn Sigmundsson* (King Marke), Erik Nelson Werner (Melot), and Aaron Blake (A Young Sailor/A Shepherd).

THE LIGHTHOUSE by Peter Maxwell Davies
Inaugural production of the Dallas Opera Chamber Series
Presented in collaboration with the Dallas Theater Center
In the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center
March 16, 17 & 18(m), 2012
A chilling supernatural and psychological thriller!
Time: December 1900
Place: Edinburgh Court of Enquiry, Fladda Isle Lighthouse off the Scottish coast
Conductor: Nicole Paiement*
Stage Director: Kevin Moriarty* (opera directorial debut)
Scenic Design: Beowulf Boritt*
Costume Design: Claudia Stephens*
Cast to be announced.

LA TRAVIATA by Giuseppe Verdi
April 13, 15(m), 18, 21, 27 & 29(m), 2012
Let's Party Like It's 1849!
An opera in three acts first performed in Venice at Teatro La Fenice, March 6, 1853
Text by Francesco Maria Piave, based on Alexandre Dumas' play, La dame aux camélias
Time: 19th century
Place: Paris
Conductor: Marco Guidarini
Stage Director: Bliss Hebert
Production Design: Allen Charles Klein
Lighting Design: Thomas Hase
Choreographer: Rosa Mercedes*
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Myrtò Papatanasiu** (Violetta Valéry), James Valenti (Alfredo Germont), Laurent Naouri* (Giorgio Germont), Amanda Crider* (Flora Bervoix), Timothy Mix* (Baron Douphol), Tom Corbeil* (Marchese D'Obigny), Ethan Herschenfeld* (Doctor Grenvil), and Susan Nicely (Annina).

THE MAGIC FLUTE by W.A. Mozart
April 20, 22(m), 25, 28, May 4 & 6(m), 2012
Hearts Tested, Tried and True!
An opera in two acts first performed in Vienna, September 30, 1791.
Text by Emanuel Schikaneder.
Time: Legendary
Place: Mythological Egypt
Conductor: Graeme Jenkins
Production: August Everding
Stage Director: Matthew Lata
Scenic Design: Jörg Zimmermann*
Costume Design: Renate Kalanke*
Lighting Design: Duane Schuler
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Children's Chorus Master: Melinda Cotten
Starring: Ava Pine (Pamina), Shawn Mathey* (Tamina), Patrick Carfizzi (Papageno), L'ubica Vargicová* (The Queen of the Night), Raymond Aceto (Sarastro), Kevin Langan (The Speaker), David Cangelosi (Monostatos), Angela Mannino* (Papagena), Caitlin Lynch* (First Lady), Lauren McNeese* (Second Lady), Maya Lahyani* (Third Lady), Aaron Blake (First Man in Armour) and Darren K. Stokes* (Second Man in Armour).

* Dallas Opera Debut
** American Debut

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.