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	Did you know The Dallas Opera has been staging operas for students in the greater Dallas area for over forty years?  One opera each season is selected, shortened to a more manageable length, modified to keep G-rated ears from burning and, finally, cast.  The School Performances incorporate the sets and costumes from the production regular patrons enjoy; however, vocal demands make it necessary to select a different set of singers for these school day performances.  A curriculum, based on the selected opera, is developed in order to train teachers and give them the materials and tools necessary to prepare their students for their special trip to The Dallas Opera which, for most, is their first experience with this art form.   Click here to read more about the School Performances.
	Director of Education Margery Anderson-Clive was hired for the 1977-1978 National Tour of Porgy and Bess (at the conclusion of the Broadway performances) as a chorus member, dancer and cover.  Margery left behind a teaching job in New Jersey to join Houston Grand Opera’s tour.  Her solo (behind the scrim) opened the show, accompanied by the character of Jasbo Brown at the keyboard.  Mrs. Anderson-Clive says, "It was a fantastic experience and I just loved having the stage all to myself at the beginning of the opera."

For the third consecutive season, The Dallas Opera will be working, hand-in-hand, with graduate vocal performance students from Southern Methodist University’s graduate and Artist Certificate Program who are seeking new ways to expand their professional horizons.  The Dallas Opera’s Emerging Artists Program encourages young, aspiring opera singers to get out there and perform, while creating a heightened awareness of The Dallas Opera in the North Texas community-at-large.  This program accomplishes both parts of its mission by bringing a fresh take on opera into the classroom, the assisted living center, the library, and the nearby mall.

Here’s how it works:  Qualified voice students are nominated by their music faculty prior to auditioning before a Dallas Opera representative.  After discussing the student’s interests, availability and level of commitment, four candidates of various vocal types are chosen to take part in up to four performances each week (The fall tour runs from October 1, 2007 until November 16, 2007).  These would include special events for The Dallas Opera Guild, Amici di Opera and other Dallas Opera outreach groups and departments.

Gala ticket prices begin at $1,000 per person and include a pre-concert cocktail reception, concert with Renée Fleming, elegant seated dinner and dancing with The Hunter Sullivan Orchestra.

For more information, call Katie Buchanan at 214-443-1063 or e-mail her at Katie@dallasopera.org.