Maximize all the pleasures of great opera by taking the time to discover the people, the personalities, and the music beforehand. And at The Dallas Opera, there are so many opportunities to sit back, relax, and learn something new.

Dr. Stephen Dubberly UNT Music Director

For an even more satisfying Dallas Opera experience, come early for our FREE and fascinating “Opera Overtures” lecture beginning one hour before curtain at every performance.

Otello - Dr. Stephen Dubberly, UNT Music Director, Opera Theater

Così fan tutte - Dr. Stephen Dubberly, UNT Music Director, Opera Theater

Don Pasquale - Hank Hammett, Director of Opera, SMU

Moby-Dick - Hank Hammett, Director of Opera, SMU

Madame Butterfly - Hank Hammett, Director of Opera, SMU

Friday, Mid-week and Saturday talks begin at 6:30 pm.
Sunday matinée talk begins at 1:00 pm.

Join The Dallas Opera Guild at 4:00 pm the Sunday afternoon before each opening night for “Opera Insights," an exceptional behind-the-scenes look at each Dallas Opera production, designed to enrich your opera-going experience. This lively panel discussion featuring singers, directors, and designers, will be moderated by TDO Artistic Director Jonathan Pell, who will also invite questions from the audience.

Lecture Times: 4:00 pm reception, 4:30 – 6:00 pm program

Otello – Sunday, October 18, 2009 at Gooch Auditorium at UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas 75235 (MAP). Enter at Butler Street, just east of Inwood Road. Turn right at the security booth to park in the lot or garage. Parking is free. Walk through the plaza and follow the signs to Insights.

Così fan tutte – Sunday, January 24, 2010

Don Pasquale – Sunday, January 31, 2010

Moby-Dick – Sunday, April 18, 2010

Madame Butterfly – Sunday, April 25, 2010

Location for all Insights except Otello to be announced.

Cost: Free for Guild members.

With Professor Jim Yancey - University of Texas at Tyler

How can you add to your enjoyment and appreciation of opera? By learning all you can about each production (in the most entertaining fashion) before you ever set foot in the Winspear Opera House. Fortunately, The Women’s Board of The Dallas Opera provides an annual series of lectures for just this purpose.

The Tuesday evening before each opening night, The Women’s Board hosts a stimulating lecture in the delightful surroundings of Brook Hollow Golf Club. Professor Jim Yancey will share – not only his passion for opera – but the knowledge, insights, fascinating stories and anecdotes about operas, composers, productions and singers, gathered in the course of a lifetime spent loving and learning everything there is to know about this greatest of all art forms.

Light Hors d’oeuvres and coffee is served at 6:45 pm. The lecture scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm. Professor Yancey's lectures include musical excerpts from the finest, rarest and most important performances in the world’s great opera houses and recording studios. Attendance is open to all opera lovers and people who are soon to become opera lovers!

A ticket for all five lectures is $150 per person, $40 for a single lecture. For additional information or to make reservations, call Alison Hunsicker 214-521-0300 ext. 4 or email Alison@hunsicker.org.

Lecture Times

Reception starts at 6:45 pm and the lecture at 7:30 pm.

Otello – Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Così fan tutte – Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Don Pasquale – Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Moby-Dick – Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Madame Butterfly – Tuesday, May 4, 2010