David and Tami Conner

WE COULD'VE DANCED ALL NIGHT
By Jonathan Morales

Imagine being transported to the late 19th century Vienna, a place where art, music, and dance reached into every Austrian home. Gustav Klimt envisioned his stunning work, The Kiss. Anton Bruckner and Johannes Brahms composed breathtaking masterpieces to be heard for years to come. And an elegance and beauty proudly presented itself in the Viennese waltz.

This was the feeling yesterday at Dallas’ Sammons Cultural Center when a group of curious Metroplex residents took the dance floor in an introductory ballroom dance lesson led by dance gurus David and Tami Conner. At first, the class began with laughter and awkwardness with people staring at their own feet and occasionally stepping on each others toes. But these brave souls pressed on, determined to relive the magic of the 19th century Viennese bourgeoisie.

By the time Johann Strauss premiered Die Fledermaus in 1874, he was already well known as the “King of the Waltz,” having great success with orchestral pieces such as Blue Danube. In Die Fledermaus, however, Strauss was able to portray characters in the opera through the music of the waltz. For example, at one point, Alfred attempts to ply Rosalinda with alcohol in order to seduce her. One can hear the “seduction” he uses in the waltz accompanying that scene. Another example involves the maid Adele, who has disguised herself as a guest at the ball. She sings the playful waltz “Mein Herr Marquis,” in order to emphasize her deception. The beautiful waltz, “Brüderline,” occurs during the peak of the second act, where Faulke toasts to brotherhood and love. All the characters sing together in an ensemble that has been known to be one the most beautiful pieces of music in Viennese history. Strauss magnificently showed that the waltz can be more than just a dance, but can also encompass wit, trickery, and romance, and joy.

Chef Sharon Van Meter from Milestone Culinary Arts Center

SUNDAY SCHNITZEL
By Jennifer Schuder

I love to cook which is part of the reason there is a cooking class series in our Figaro in Flip-Flops Summer Events. I have taken lots of different types of classes, but none where you were hands on in the kitchen. I highly recommend taking one. Sunday was a great! Everyone in the class got their hands dirty - whether it was making the almond cookies, taking out your frustration on a pork tenderloin, or encrusting your hands with breading. We all had a part in making a great meal!

The most important thing I learned yesterday…. buy your meat and fish at Costco! They are affordable and butcher their meat on site. For a class listing for the Milestone Culinary Arts Center visit their website.

Dr. Stephen Dubberly

DUBBERLY & JORG: A Very Good Combination
By Jennifer Schuder

It was a bit soggy on the way to Jorg’s Cafe Vienna on Tuesday evening as everyone gathered for what was called “A Lecture and a Schnitzel.” But you would not have known it once you got inside Jorg’s in downtown Plano. Everyone had an Austrian beer in front of them and the conversation filled the entire restaurant.

As part of the Figaro in Flip-Flops Event Series, Dr. Stephen Dubberly gave a lecture on DIE FLEDERMAUS while everyone enjoyed a very authentic and totally amazing meal. To say that I left that night full is almost an understatement. The apple strudel definitely topped off the meal. But everyone left with more than their stomach full. We all left with new knowledge and appreciation for the opera. I know I can’t wait to see and hear Strauss’ use of the waltz in December.

ONE GOOD BAT DESERVES ANOTHER!
"Dracula" screening at The Inwood Living Room(TM)
By James Hampton

Thanks to all who came out to the wonderfully cozy Inwood Theater Living Room this evening for the screening of the classic horror film Dracula - and I do mean all - the comfy couches, chairs, and bean bags were full. You guys are awesome! This was the second film in our free Inwood Living Room Series - just one of several events going on this week focusing on our second opera of the season - Die Fledermaus.

WHEN BOWWOW WAS STILL 'LIL:
"Carmen: A Hip Hopera" screening at Victory Park
By Cody Rubio

Beyonce, Mos Def, Da Brat, (Lil’) BowWow, Wyclef Jean – no, it’s not the VMA’s – it’s the cast list for The Dallas Opera’s second feature for Dallas Opera Night’s at Victory Park, “Carmen: A Hip Hopera.”

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If you came to Victory Park (or the VP, as I’ll be referring to it) you might have thought the same – “…” – because no one really knows what to think about an opera that’s (allegedly) hip...

A NERVOUS SPLENDOR: VIENNA 1888 - 1889
By Suzanne Calvin

Thanks to everyone who took the time to come out to Barnes & Noble Prestonwood Center for the second installment of our budding book club. The inspiration, this time, was “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss II and the book we chose to focus upon is a very narrow window into a fascinating place and time.

“A Nervous Splendor: Vienna 1888-1889? by Frederic Morton does a “splendid” job of immersing readers in the cultural soup of the Austro-Hungarian capital, and showing us vingettes from the lives of ordinary, struggling citizens, the near-famous and the now-famous (Dr. Sigmund Freud, artist Gustav Klimt, composers Johann Strauss II and Anton Bruckner, conductor Gustav Mahler and more)...

The Dallas Opera is excited to have American Airlines continue as “The Official Airline of The Dallas Opera.” Through this partnership, American Airlines flies in artists for each production from around the world, which aids in the mission to present world-class opera in the heart of Texas. The Dallas Opera also wants our patrons to be involved in these partnerships. American has provided a way to do that. By using the Opera’s Business ExtrAA number when making reservations, The Dallas Opera receives points. You will still receive all of your mileage earned, plus you will be enhancing the relationship between The Dallas Opera and American Airlines.