DALLAS, TX (Top40 Charts) The Dallas Opera's 2023/2024 Season was announced today by Ian Derrer, The Kern Wildenthal General Director, and Emmanuel Villaume, The Mrs. Eugene McDermott
Music Director.
The company enters their 66th Mainstage Season with a highly anticipated world premiere production of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and three new-to-Dallas productions: Puccini's Tosca, R. Strauss' Elektra, and Gounod's
Romeo and Juliet. The last performance of each will be livestreamed exclusively on www.thedallasopera.TV on a pay-what-you're-able basis with a $9.99 minimum ticket price.
Anticipated annual favorites include the Robert E. and Jean Ann Titus Family Recital, featuring opera superstar Lawrence Brownlee; The People's Choice Concert, a free, season-opening community concert; Family Shows for all ages; the
National Vocal Competition; and The
Linda and Mitch Hart
Institute for Women Conductors Showcase Concert.
Crescendo, Dallas Opera's newest membership initiative, heads into its second season and is now accepting current member renewals and new member registrations. The under 45 program's $60 membership includes two complimentary tickets to the 2023/2024 Season, additional ticket discounts, pre-show mixers, special event invitations, and behind-the-scenes access.
"We are thrilled to bring three new-to-Dallas productions and a long-awaited world premiere to our audiences, both near and far, in the 2023/2024 Mainstage Season," said General
Director and CEO Ian Derrer. "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is the remarkable true story of a man whose determination leads to one of the most poignant memoirs ever written. We are honored to bring this story to our stage for the first time anywhere. This season also brings a host of exciting Dallas Opera debuts including tenor Joseph Calleja, soprano Golda Shultz, tenor Long Long, and soprano Marjorie Owens."
"In an exciting continuation from last season, we will livestream the last performance of all four mainstage productions," Derrer continued. "Our commitment to bringing world-class opera to audiences, wherever they may be, is as strong as ever. Making these performances available on a pay-what-you're-able basis keeps our artform accessible to all viewers."
The Dallas Opera kicks off the 2023/2024 Mainstage Season with Puccini's high drama Tosca featuring "Honey-tone tenor" (The New York Times) Joseph Calleja in his highly anticipated Dallas Opera debut. Calleja is joined by the "impressive" (Das Opernglas) Ewa Płonka as the lovelorn Tosca and Cardiff Singer of the World Gihoon Kim, in his Dallas Opera debut, as the conniving Scarpia. The production from Cincinnati Opera has original direction from Jose
Maria Condemi and is directed by Andrew Nienaber, in his company debut, with set and costume design by Robert Perdziola.
Music Director Emmanuel Villaume conducts The Dallas Opera Orchestra and Chorus. (October 13, 15(m), 18, and 21 (also livestreamed), 2023.)
The world premiere Dallas Opera production of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly takes to the Winspear Opera House stage with a powerhouse cast led by Grammy Award-winner
Lucas Meachem as Jean-Dominique Bauby. Composed by Joby Talbot (Everest) to a libretto by Gene Scheer (Moby-Dick, Everest) and directed by Leonard Foglia (Moby-Dick, Everest), Jean-Dominique's true story of strength, determination, and the desire for connection comes to life. Mezzo-soprano
Sasha Cooke, tenor Richard Croft, soprano Deanna Breiwick, bass
Kevin Burdette, soprano
Andriana Chuchman, and tenor Andrew Bidlack lend their voices to those closest to Bauby. Based on his imaginative and poignant memoir, this world premiere will draw you in from the first note.
Music Director Emmanuel Villaume conducts The Dallas Opera Orchestra. (November 3, 5(m), 8, and 11 (also livestreamed), 2023.)
"To conduct a world premiere production as inspiring as The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is an extraordinary and rare opportunity," said
Music Director Emmanuel Villaume. "It is important to offer our audiences new and exciting pieces, while also remembering the music we know and love. I find it just as thrilling to revisit those productions, as I do immersing myself into a new score. This season has it all and we cannot wait to make music in the Winspear once again."
R. Strauss' thrilling Elektra returns to The Dallas Opera for only the second time in company history, last performed over 25 years ago. "Fast-rising American soprano" (Opera News) and Dallas Opera's 2002 Vocal Competition winner Marjorie Owens makes her Dallas Opera debut in the iconic title role, and "operatic superstar" (USA Today) Denyce Graves makes her highly anticipated role debut as Elektra's murderous mother, Klytämnestra.
Soprano Angela Meade joins the starry cast as Chrysothemis, as well as Alfred Walker, in his Dallas Opera debut, as Orest, and Dallas Opera favorite Clifton Forbis as Aegisth. This production from Lyric Opera of
Chicago has original direction from Sir
David McVicar and is directed by Nick Sandys, in his company debut, with set and costume designs by John Macfarlane.
Music Director Emmanuel Villaume conducts The Dallas Opera Orchestra and Chorus. (February 9, 11(m), 14, and 17 (also livestreamed), 2024.)
A love story for the ages, Gounod's
Romeo and
Juliet features two of the biggest Dallas Opera debuts this season: tenor Long Long brings "a voice one could happily listen to all day" (Seen and Heard International) to the lovestruck
Romeo with "silky tone" (The New York Times) soprano Golda Schultz, fresh off a triumph at the Metropolitan Opera, as Juliet. Opera legend Donnie Ray Albert returns to The Dallas Opera as Lord Capulet in this new-to-Dallas co-production with
Houston Grand Opera and The Atlanta Opera.
Nicole Paiement, the Martha R. and Preston A. Peak Principal Guest Conductor, leads The Dallas Opera Orchestra and Chorus, and Romain Gilbert directs, in his Dallas Opera debut. (March 1, 3(m), 6, and 9 (also livestreamed), 2024.)
Kick off the season with The Dallas Opera's annual FREE People's Choice Concert on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 7:30pm, at the Winspear Opera House. Ticket registration will be announced closer to the date.
Family Shows are back! These special performances are designed for audiences aged 3 and up and are sung in English. Both shows are under 60 minutes (with no intermission!) and all seating is general admission at the Winspear Opera House. Join us in the fall and spring of the 2023/2024 Season for afternoon performances of The Billy Goats Gruff, performed with piano accompaniment (October 14, 2023, and March 10, 2024), and Pépito, performed with The Dallas Opera Orchestra (November 12, 2023, and March 2, 2024.)
The audience favorite Robert E. and Jean Ann Titus Family Recital returns to the Moody Performance Hall on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 2:00pm, and will feature international star tenor Lawrence Brownlee. As one of "the finest, most sky-scraping bel canto tenors," (The New York Times) Brownlee's first appearance with the company is sure to captivate from beginning to end. Brownlee will be accompanied by renowned pianist Myra Huang.
The opera world's most brilliant young conductors take the podium on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at 7:30pm, for an evening of opera selections featuring The Dallas Opera Orchestra at The
Linda and Mitch Hart
Institute for Women Conductors Showcase Concert. Dallas Opera's Hart Institute, launched in 2015, is an artistic and leadership program that builds and advances the careers of women conductors with the talent and drive to pursue major positions with opera companies worldwide. The only program of its kind in the world, the institute seeks to address the extreme gender imbalance of leadership on the podium.
The
National Vocal Competition sees its return as the search continues for the best-of-the-best young talent from across the country. Finalists, accompanied by The Dallas Opera Orchestra, will compete on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 7:30pm, on the Winspear Opera House stage for a chance to be discovered and win cash prizes.
Subscription renewals for the 2023/2024 Season are available now with new subscriptions available starting Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Subscription packages start at $89 for all four operas, with family shows and the Titus Recital available as add-ons before single tickets go on sale Friday, July 21, 2023.
THE DALLAS OPERA'S 2023/2024 SEASON
FREE!
The People's Choice Concert
PERFORMANCE DATE
Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 7:30pm
Tosca by Giacomo Puccini
Emmanuel Villaume, conductor
The Dallas Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Production from Cincinnati Opera
Sung in Italian with English Titles
PERFORMANCE DATES
Friday, October 13, 2023, at 8:00pm (The
Linda and Mitch Hart Opening Night Performance)
Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 2:00pm
Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 7:30pm (also livestreamed)
Tosca
Ewa Płonka
Original Director
Jose
Maria Condemi
Cavaradossi
Joseph Calleja*
Revival Director
Andrew Nienaber*
Scarpia
Gihoon Kim*
Set & Costume Designer
Robert Perdziola
Sacristan
Darren Drone*
Lighting Designer
Thomas Hase
Spoletta
Thomas Cilluffo*
Angelotti
Andrew Potter*
Sciarrone
Prosper Makhanya
Family Opera - The Billy Goats Gruff
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gaetano Donizetti, and Gioachino Rossini
Sung in English and performed with piano accompaniment
PERFORMANCE DATES
Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 2:00pm
Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 2:00pm
WORLD PREMIERE
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly composed by Joby Talbot to a libretto by Gene Scheer
Emmanuel Villaume, conductor
The Dallas Opera Orchestra
A new production from The Dallas Opera
Sung in English with English Titles
PERFORMANCE DATES
Friday, November 3, 2023, at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 2:00pm
Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 7:30pm
Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 7:30pm (also livestreamed)
Jean-Dominique Bauby
Lucas Meachem
Director
Leonard Foglia
Abbe Faria
Richard Croft
Set & Projection Designer
Elaine McCarthy
Sylvie
Sasha Cooke
Costume Designer
David Woolard
Claude
Deanna Breiwick
Lighting Designer
Russell Champa
Papinou
Kevin Burdette
Sandrine/Mercedes
Andriana Chuchman
Doctor
Andrew Bidlack
Family Opera - Pépito by Jacques Offenbach
Based on the integral edition of the opera by Michael Kaye
Sung in English and performed with The Dallas Opera Orchestra
PERFORMANCE DATES
Sunday, November 12, 2023, at 2:00pm
Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 2:00pm
The Robert E. and Jean Ann Titus Family Recital
Lawrence Brownlee, Tenor
Myra Huang, Pianist
PERFORMANCE DATE
Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 2:00pm
Moody Performance Hall
The Hart
Institute for Women Conductors Showcase Concert
PERFORMANCE DATE
Sunday, January 28, 2024, at 7:30pm
Elektra by Richard Strauss
Emmanuel Villaume, conductor
The Dallas Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Production from Lyric Opera of Chicago
Sung in German with English Titles
PERFORMANCE DATES
Friday, February 9, 2024, at 7:30pm
Sunday, February 11, 2024, at 2:00pm
Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 7:30pm (also livestreamed)
Elektra
Marjorie Owens*
Original Director
Sir
David McVicar
Chrysothemis
Angela Meade
Revival Director
Nick Sandys*
Klytämnestra
Denyce Graves
Set & Costume Designer
John Macfarlane*
Orest
Alfred Walker*
Aegisth
Clifton Forbis
The Overseer
Alexandra Loutsion*
Tutor of Orest
Kyle Albertson*
First Maidservant
Gretchen Krupp*
Second Maidservant
Kristen Choi
Third Maidservant
Lindsay Kate Brown
Fourth Maidservant
Laura Wilde
Fifth Maidservant
Meghan Kasanders*
The Confidant
Jocelyn Hansen
The Trainbearer
Megan Moore*
A Young Servant
Jordan Hammons*
An Old Servant
Allen Michael Jones*
Romeo and
Juliet by Charles Gounod
Nicole Paiement, conductor
The Dallas Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Co-production with
Houston Grand Opera and The Atlanta Opera
Sung in French with English Titles
PERFORMANCE DATES
Friday, March 1, 2024, at 7:30pm
Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 2:00pm
Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 7:30pm
Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 7:30pm (also livestreamed)
Romeo
Long Long*
Director
Romain Gilbert*
Juliet
Golda Schultz*
Original Set Designer
John Conklin
Friar Laurence
Raymond Aceto
Co-set Designer
Julia Noulin-Mérat*
Stephano
Emily Sierra*
Costume Designer
Gregory Gale*
Mercutio
Eugene Villanueva*
Lighting Designer
Thomas Hase
Benvolio
Nathan Bowles*
Gertrude
Claudia Chapa*
Lord Capulet
Donnie Ray Albert
Tybalt
Andrew Turner*
Count Paris
Erik Earl Larson
Gregorio
Navasard Hakobyan*
Duke of Verona
Kevin Thompson*
National Vocal Competition
PERFORMANCE DATE
Friday, March 8, 2024, at 7:30pm
All performances take place at the Winspear Opera House unless noted.
*The Dallas Opera debut
Programs and artists subject to change
2023/2024 Season Sponsor: Mary Anne Cree, in memory of Rosine Smith Sammons
The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from:
the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture; the
Texas Commission on the Arts;
and the
National Endowment for the Arts.
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.
The Dallas Opera is a proud member of OPERA America.
One of the leading opera companies in the country, The Dallas Opera has an extraordinary legacy of world-class productions and thrilling premieres featuring the greatest operatic artists of our time. Inaugurated in 1957 with a concert featuring the incomparable
Maria Callas, TDO is known for the notable U.S. debuts of a host of legendary artists including Plácido Domingo, Dame Joan Sutherland, Jon Vickers, Franco Zeffirelli, and Sir
David McVicar. The company has long been an industry leader and innovator through groundbreaking initiatives including the Hart
Institute for Women Conductors, TDO Network, free public simulcasts, acclaimed art song recitals, the national vocal competition, special concerts, and outstanding family and award-winning education programs. TDO's home is the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House in the Dallas Arts District. As one of the largest performing arts employers in North Texas, TDO is proudly committed to diversity, both onstage and off, and is a major contributor to the economic vitality and international cultural reputation of this region.
