Let your "dogs" breathe.

Essentially, that’s the philosophy behind The Dallas Opera’s first ever summer event series, "Figaro in Flip-Flops" presented by One Arts Plaza – lose the work boots or wingtips and slip into something more comfortable. "Opera Season" is no longer limited by the calendar, now you can take a break from your normal routine and enjoy new dimensions of this great art form all summer long.

In case you haven’t heard, this multifaceted series started June 15 and will run through October 26, 2008 in a variety of interesting and unusual locations throughout Greater Dallas. Each month’s events will correspond with one of the five productions of the upcoming "Lovers and Scoundrels" Season. June was dedicated to furthering our understanding of the Spanish culture and how Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro came to be.

For those of you who were unable to join us this month, this newsletter will provide some quick insight into what you missed. If you were able to attend, you now have the opportunity to read our comments on the events and post your own impressions on The Dallas Opera blog. Feel free to start up conversations or share you ideas on how everyone can get the most out of these events. Plus, we’ve thrown in some terrific freebies like video clips, podcasts, and knock ‘em dead recipes.

So, kick off your heels, throw on your flip-flops, and we’ll see you in July for a closer look at Die Fledermaus!

Chef Sharon Van Meter

The first cooking class at The Milestone Culinary Arts Center was a delightful learning experience for The Dallas Opera and everyone who attended. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Chef Sharon Van Meter (a 1997 “Chef of the Year” who dazzled her clientele as Executive Chef of both Neiman Marcus and the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago) and her assistant, Lenny.

The afternoon began with us being served White Peach Sangria. It was very refreshing for a hot Sunday afternoon. The first recipe we learned was Chicken and Sausage Paella. It was a Spanish dish with an assortment of vegetables and spices. The second dish we made was Austrian Roast Beef with Forest Mushrooms and Caramelized Shallot Mashed Potatoes. The two entrees were followed by three Italian cakes in which everyone was given the chance to decorate with the almond icing made by Chef Sharon.

Up Next? How to cook (or simply savor) Austrian Cuisine! Make your reservation now! $50 per person and $25 for the tasting alone.

Watch a Video Clip from the Cooking Class | Get the Chicken Paella Recipe

THE MOON IN THE MAN:
"Moonstruck" screening at Victory Park

We couldn’t have planned a better night to screen “Moonstruck” at Victory Park last Wednesday (June 18th)! The weather was nice – not the typical “Texas-nice” where it’s almost bearable to be outside – but the “nice” where the skin beneath the sleeves of your Oxford dress shirt is downright jealous of your bare hands. We finally got a break from the mugginess that covered the Metroplex after that series of much needed rainstorms while the “alley” that is the AT&T Plaza made for the perfect breeze-trap...

ROCK ME AMADEUS:
"Amadeus" screening at The Inwood Living Room

No, we didn’t play Falco’s 1985 chart topping hit – but we thought about it. The Dallas Opera kicked off our Inwood Living Room Series with Milos Foreman’s multi-award winning film Amadeus. Many thanks to the patrons and new friends that came out to join us for the first in our free screenings.

The movie was based on Peter Shaffer’s Tony award-winning play of the same name. Amadeus won 8 Academy Awards, 4 BAFTA awards, 4 Golden Globes and countless other awards. Seeing it again after all these years was really a treat. We screened the director’s cut which includes about 20 minutes of additional footage...

CAFE SOCIETY: MADRID STYLE
Tapas and Spanish Wine Tasting at Cafe Madrid

Wow. Did I say that loudly enough? Okay, then. WOW.

Our latest casual pre-season event for “Figaro in Flip-Flops,” presented by One Arts Plaza, was a knock-out Spanish Wines and Tapas Tasting at Cafe Madrid in Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District. It really struck me as the perfect way to spend a hot Sunday afternoon, in the cool, tile-floored, chatty and cheerful atmosphere of a homey Spanish Cafe, complete with hefty wooden tables that didn’t cry out for a coaster and banks of north windows that bathed the rooms with light while keeping the heat at bay.

CROSSING DA PONTE
Suzanne's Book Club at Barnes & Noble

This afternoon marked the first thrilling installment of “Suzanne’s Book Club,” brought to you courtesy of Barnes & Noble Booksellers Prestonwood Center (5301 Beltline, Dallas) and we had a wonderful, attentive and enthusiastic crowd of opera lovers who had gathered to discuss this month’s selection: “The Librettist of Venice: The Remarkable Life of Lorenzo Da Ponte - Mozart’s Poet, Casanova’s Friend and Italian Opera’s Impressario in America” by Rodney Bolt...