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SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUFWIEDERSEHEN, ADIEU!
By Music Director Graeme Jenkins

Music Director Graeme Jenkins

On an autumn evening in late November 1957, Maestro Nicola Rescigno raised his baton and a new chapter in the musical life of Dallas was born. With Maria Callas performing center stage, it was an event to treasure. The very next night, a fully staged production of Rossini’s rarely heard (in those days) L’italiana in Algeri launched The Dallas Opera. The director, Franco Zefferelli, was making his American debut. The star soprano was a luminous Giuletta Simoniato. They were indeed heady times; a bold beginning that put Dallas on the operatic map where it has remained for the past 52 years.

There have been many remarkable debuts since: Joan Sutherland, who considered the Music Hall “a converted aircraft hangar;” the sublime divas Olivero, Caballé, Berganza and two rather astonishing tenors, Domingo and Vickers. However, October 23, 2009, marking our first performance in the new Winspear Opera House, could be the moment that upstages them all - the biggest event in The Dallas Opera’s long and illustrious history.

L’italiana in Algeri was the final production of the 2008-2009 season and my 50th production with the company. In all my years in Dallas, you and I have been separated for much of our acquaintance by 18 inches of solid concrete, the thickest pit wall I know! About 50% of what our orchestra achieves has never been adequately projected to our patrons. Now, however, things are about to change for the better.

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DALLAS OPERA MEMORIES
By Interim General Director John T. Cody

Interim General Director John Cody

Whenever I encounter someone who’s never been to the opera, I know it’s because they haven’t been properly introduced. And that’s a real problem these days. People are understandably afraid that they won’t be able to follow the plot. Many, many people don’t know that projected English translations, like we have here at The Dallas Opera, are the norm. There’s no need to search your attic for old foreign language textbooks in order to figure out what’s happening onstage! However, a little advance planning can make your evening at The Dallas Opera better than ever!

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THE 21ST ANNUAL DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION
By Suzanne Calvin

Dallas Opera Director of Artistic Administration Jonathan Pell will be one of five judges for the competition.

"American Idol" ... "Dancing with the Stars" - Kid's Stuff!
"The Olympic Games" - Well, Okay, You Got Us on That One!

But if there WERE an OPERA OLYMPICS for fresh, exciting and incredibly talented young amateurs - THIS would be it: The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition 2009! Show your support for the home team at this incredible one-day event, Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Gooch Auditorium on the campus of UT Southwestern Medical Center (free covered parking off Harry Hines at Butler, free valet parking for the finals only). Semifinal round starts at 11:30 a.m. with the finals round--including a free champagne and dessert buffet--beginning at 7:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission to any part of the event.

Twenty semi-finalists (aged 18 to 30) chosen from a field of close to a hundred applicants will compete for thousands of dollars in prize monies ($19,000 was awarded in 2007, more than $18,000 in 2008) at this year’s competition honoring longtime Dallas Opera Guild Officers and former Guild Presidents Sylvia and Maurice Elton. The competition is open to singers genuinely desiring to pursue a career in the field of opera. They must be current Texas residents or out-of-state residents attending a Texas college or university.

“Our semi-finalists exhibit a variety of academic backgrounds,” explains Dallas Opera Guild President Gloria Rege. “They include singers from the Academy of Vocal Arts, Baylor, Indiana, Juilliard, Oberlin, Rice, Southern Methodist University, the University of North Texas and U.T.-Austin, to name a few!”

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A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO DONATE TO THE DALLAS OPERA

Attention All Grocery Shoppers: 1% of your Tom Thumb bill can go to The Dallas Opera!
	1. Click here to download a Reward Card Application and return it to your neighborhood Tom Thumb Courtesy Booth to link your card to our account (#4665). OR 2. Visit to any Tom Thumb Courtesy Booth to pick up a Reward Card application and link your card to our account (#4665).
Tom Thumb will pay us a percentage of your account total, so be sure to use your card every time you shop. By using your card, you will also be eligible for exclusive discounts, giveaways, rewards, and Airmiles.