On “The Nose”
[ No Comments ] Posted on 03.08.10 under General Opera
The Metropolitan Opera production of Dmitri Shostakovich’s bitter satire, “The Nose,” based on a 19th-century short story by Gogol, is of special interest to Dallas Opera patrons because the starring role is being performed by baritone Paulo Szot…the same Tony Award winner who will sing the title role in next fall’s season opener, “Don Giovanni.” Classical Music Critic Anthony Tommasini of “The New York Times” had this review of the production and Szot’s intelligent portrayal of “this daunting Russian role.” Scott Cantrell of “The Dallas Morning News” found that the entire exercise started getting on his nerves. Read more about that…here.
(Photo by Sara Krulwich/The New York Times)
Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR
More Applause for “Don Pasquale”
[ No Comments ] Posted on 03.05.10 under About the show, Dallas Opera News
(Photo by Dallas Opera Production Photographer Karen Almond)
The latest acclaim for this marvelous revival comes from the international media: Canada’s highly regarded music magazine, ”La Scena Musicale.” Here’s the review by Paul E. Robinson, who wrote: “…the production was excellent: the cast was first-rate; the sets and costumes by the late Jean-Pierre Ponnelle were just right; the stage direction by Candace Evans was full of fun; and conductor Stefano Ranzani did his work with efficiency and charm.”
So, what are you waiting for? Only two performances left this weekend - and that’s that!
Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media and PR
Social Climbers Welcome
[ No Comments ] Posted on 03.05.10 under About the show, Dallas Opera News
Looking to make new friends, a little dough, and hang out at the top of your profession?
Okay, it’s probably more like a hobby than a profession; something you pursue on weekends - but it’s climbing, nevertheless.
As Dallas Morning News columnist Steve Blow reports, the Dallas Opera is looking for a few good men (sorry, ladies!) to take part in the world premiere production of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s MOBY-DICK. There is, however, a hitch. You have to have what it takes, as Jeanne Prejean of D magazine’s SweetCharity blog explains.
Image courtesy of powermobydick.com.
Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media and PR
“Don Pasquale” Romps Through the Winspear
[ No Comments ] Posted on 02.23.10 under About the show, Dallas Opera News
And both critics and audiences seem…well, charmed.
Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell praised a cast that ranged from “very good to dazzling” in his “Dallas Morning News” review.
Olin Chism for KERA’s “Art and Seek” pronounced “Pasquale” a “winner,” reserving special kudos for the hilarious Donato DiStefano in the title role and the “vocally nimble and dramatically superb Adriana Kucerova as Norina.”
And Wayne Lee Gay of D magazine’s “FrontRow” concurs: “this production is blessed with an ensemble of brilliantly gifted singers in the bel canto style. Slovakian soprano Adriana Kucerova, making her American debut as Norina, owns a gloriously flexible and beautiful voice, and bounds about the stage with youthful energy; she seems likely to join the impressive list of singers who took their first American bows in Dallas.”
Gregory Sullivan Isaacs of “Theater Jones” seemed especially taken with Nathan Gunn’s performance. “Baritone Nathan Gunn, as the scheming Doctor Malatesta, possesses a voice that is pure honey; perfectly produced and even from top to bottom. His characterization was more sympathetic that usual.”
William Burnett of “Operawarhorses” enthuses: “This is a wonderful opera for both the veteran aficionado, who will delight in the performances of DiStefano, Kucerova, Gunn and Shankle, and the newcomer to opera, seeking sprightly, melodious music encased in a story that is fun to watch. The Dallas Opera has produced a great “Don Pasquale.”
Production photos by Karen Almond!
Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR
DONATO DISTEFANO AS DON PASQUALE AND ADRIANA KUCEROVA AS NORINA IN DONIZETTI’S DON PASQUALE
[ No Comments ] Posted on 02.18.10 under About the show, Videos
THE DALLAS OPERA PRESENTS ADRIANA KUCEROVA AS NORINA IN DONIZETTI’S DON PASQUALE
[ No Comments ] Posted on 02.18.10 under About the show, General Opera, Videos
Marnie and Kern Wildenthal Applauded
[ No Comments ] Posted on 02.16.10 under Dallas Opera News, General Opera
It’s one of the most anticipated events for Dallas area opera supporters, the annual Founders’ Award Luncheon (honoring the memory of Juanita and Henry S. Miller, Jr.) which will be held tomorrow in the Main Ballroom of the Rosewood Crescent Hotel.
The Women’s Board of the Dallas Opera and event chairs Jolie Humphrey and Sarah Seddelmeyer will pay tribute at that time to the indefatigable Wildenthals - Dr. Kern Wildenthal, President of the Dallas Opera and his wife Marnie, former docent chairman for the Dallas Opera Guild - two singularly gifted civic leaders and philanthropists who have performed an astonishing array of leadership functions and roles for organizations as varied as TACA, The Dallas Citizens Council, the Mental Health Association, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Southwestern Medical Foundation (to name but a few).
For a more complete picture of the pair’s causes and accomplishments, check out this report in D magazine’s “SweetCharity” Blog by Jeanne Prejean.
Congratulations, Marnie and Kern!
Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR, Dallas Opera
More Critics Getting Cosi
[ 2 Comments ] Posted on 02.16.10 under About the show, Dallas Opera News
The rave reviews for the Dallas Opera’s Spring Season opener: Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” continue to roll in. Gregory Isaacs, reviewing for the ”Theater Jones” blog, found our production to be Cowardly - in the best sort of fashion. Actually, he stated: ”The production is an original take on a masterpiece, and works from beginning to end. Jeri Shaffer’s English supertitles convey the essence of the text, with an occasional naughty wink.”
(photo by Daylon Walton of Random Photography for Theater Jones)
Dean Cassella at FW Renaissance praised “Cosi” as “a fine production and one definitely worth seeing.” How could we possibly argue?
Tell your friends to act now, before the best seats are swept up for the remaining performances.
Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR, Dallas Opera
“The Dallas Opera has staged another winner with COSI FAN TUTTE” says WFAA’s Gary Cogill
[ No Comments ] Posted on 02.16.10 under About the show, Dallas Opera News, Videos
Cosi is the Critics Choice
[ No Comments ] Posted on 02.15.10 under About the show, Dallas Opera News
You should have placed your bet on COSI rather than the Colts.
The reviews are streaming in for the Dallas Opera’s second production in the new Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House and the general consensus is: We have a certified winner! Aided and abetted by the considerable talents of its outstanding ensemble cast, the production-which opened last Friday-was praised by Scott Cantrell of “The Dallas Morning News” as “deliciously vivid theater.”
Wayne Lee Gay of D magazine’s “Front Row” blog raved about the opening night performance, calling it “consistently well-sung (and) engagingly acted.” He saved special praise for soprano Elza van den Heever (Fiordiligi) “a captivating stage presence with a gorgeous, beautifully trained voice and wonderful musical instincts.”
Olin Chism, classical music critic for KERA’s Art&Seek blog found that Friday’s performance “left lingering memories” and praised the “excellent, sensitive support from company Music Director Graeme Jenkins in the pit.”
Marilee Vergati of Dallas Events Examiner (examiner.com) found “moments of incredible beauty” and “naughty fun.” And, at Fort Worth Renaissance, College Girl enjoyed her first experience in the Winspear.
More to come, I’m sure.
Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR, Dallas Opera