Feature
by Olin Chism
Sometimes episodes from Wagner’s personal life served as the creative spark for later operatic masterpieces.
An early example would be a stormy voyage on the Baltic and North Seas that the composer and his first wife, Minna, took in 1839. Wagner wrote in his autobiography that this was the inspiration for The Flying Dutchman (though the legend of the wandering sea captain antedated the Wagners’ voyage).
A more prominent example would be the circumstances surrounding the creation of Tristan und Isolde. It’s hard to escape the conclusion that Wagner’s relationship with the wife of one of his patrons had a direct bearing on the composition of what many consider to be the composer’s greatest music drama...
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Megan’s Musings
moderated by Megan Meister
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I’m lucky to be sitting down with American soprano Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet who is in town for our production of Tristan & Isolde which opens on Thursday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m. Jeanne-Michèle was last with TDO in our critically acclaimed production of Lohengrin in 2007 where she sang the role of Ortrud. Texas Monthly Associate Editor Chester Rosson wrote, “The villains were embodied in Russian baritone Sergei Leiferkus and Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet, a powerful duo who might have stolen the show in a lesser production.”
To listen, click here >
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From the Desk of Keith Cerny
TDO’s General Director muses on time-travel through opera in a new column for TheaterJones.
by Keith Cerny
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Martin Scorsese’s 3-D film Hugo, based on Brian Selznick’s 2007 novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret opened a few weeks ago to critical acclaim. If you haven’t seen it yet—go right away! Why I feel this work is so important, and what relevance it has for opera, will come in a moment...
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featuring Mozart’s The Magic Flute broadcast live from the Winspear Opera House!
Saturday, April 28, 2012, 7:30pm - FREE reserved seating and FREE parking!
The Dallas Opera, in partnership with Cowboys Stadium, is extremely proud to announce the first classical music simulcast ever conducted in a North Texas sports venue! Patrons will be able to enjoy a complete, unabridged live performance on the world’s largest high-definition video board structure. Concessions will be available for purchase. Parking and seating are FREE, though seating is reserved. To obtain your tickets, please visit dallasopera.org/cowboys!
See The Dallas Cowboys’ Executive Vice President of Brand Management Charlotte Jones Anderson and The Dallas Opera General Director Keith Cerny announce the simulcast:
The Dallas Opera is proud to announce a new commission from Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally — Great Scott, starring mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and conducted by Evan Rogister, debuting in fall 2015!
Composer Jake Heggie was on-hand in Dallas for the on-stage announcement this month, made by Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny and Artistic Director Jonathan Pell (with help, via a pre-recorded message, from mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato). For more information about the commission, see our press release!
Muppet Corner
Muppet Carmen
A little Carmen to give you something to smile about.
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Facebook Question of the Week
(Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born January 27, 1756, and we open our production of The Magic Flute on April 20th.)
“So many to choose from, but I have to agree that The Magic Flute is my favorite. The Queen of the Night is just an amazing role to behold.”
“I love Magic Flute and Don Giovanni! Such vastly different works — both BRILLIANT. Happy birthday, Mozart! P.S. I’m coming to The Magic Flute!”
This week’s question: “Who’s your favorite villain?” Join the fun on our Facebook page!
