In This Issue:

Calendar of Events:

Tell Us What You Think

Last Month's Poll Results:
In last month's poll, we asked you - our faithful patrons - which opera stood out to you the most in the 2008-2009 season. We had some really amazing casts last season but not even the vigorous "Figaro 4," who missed the top spot by less than one percent of the vote, could touch the hearts of as many as Puccini and the cast of La bohème.

La bohème - 31.1%
The Marriage of Figaro - 30.7%
The Italian Girl in Algiers - 15.4%
Roberto Devereux - 14.2%
Die Fledermaus - 8.7%

Long-time Director of Artistic Administration Promoted to New Position
By Suzanne Calvin

Artistic Director Jonathan Pell

The Dallas Opera has announced the promotion of Director of Artistic Administration Jonathan Pell to serve as Artistic Director of The Dallas Opera, a position last held by Maestro Nicola Rescigno, one of the company’s esteemed co-founders.

Mr. Pell, who came to The Dallas Opera 24 years ago from WNET/Thirteen in New York City where he worked as coordinating producer for music programming, will assume his new title and responsibilities, effective immediately.

"This promotion," explains Dallas Opera President Dr. Kern Wildenthal, "is timed to coincide with final preparations for our move into the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts, and to aid the company in meeting the unique challenges we face at this pivotal point in our history."

"The artistic demands on The Dallas Opera will expand dramatically in the seasons to come," Mr. Wildenthal continues, "as we attract the world’s most important artists, broaden our repertoire and utilize every new technological advance to create one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences for North Texas—and international—audiences.

"In an industry that thrives on extraordinary performers, Jonathan has consistently demonstrated the artistic integrity, business acumen and day-to-day personal commitment that makes him one of the best in the business."

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THE 2009 DALLAS OPERA GUILD VOCAL COMPETITION
By Suzanne Calvin

Award Winners Michael Sumuel, Catherine Martin, and Steven LaBrie

The champagne was cold, the competition was hot... a fabulous time was had by all!

The Dallas Opera Guild’s twenty-first annual competition for young opera singers, The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, awarded ten outstanding Texas-based singers $19,000 in prize monies in a ceremony conducted in Gooch Auditorium at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where the exciting competition concluded late Saturday, April 4, 2009.

Baritones Steven LaBrie and Michael Sumuel tied for First Place—a historic first in the history of this competition—and each will receive a $6,500 cash prize. There was no award given for Second Place.

24-year-old mezzo-soprano Catherine Martin took Third Place, an honor which includes $3,000 cash, while 23-year-old soprano Icy Simpson won the hearts of the audience and was voted this year’s "People’s Choice Award," carrying a one thousand dollar prize.

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MAKE YOUR DOLLAR GO TWICE AS FAR!

Now is the best time to become a Friend of The Dallas Opera because you have an amazing opportunity to have your gift to The Dallas Opera matched!

DonorBridge at donorbridgetx.org is a new online resource for non-profit supporters in North Texas. The website will allow donors to search a database of local non-profits and find comprehensive, results-oriented information.

The website launches on May 20, 2009. On that day ONLY, donations made to The Dallas Opera on the DonorBridge site will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Communities Foundation of Texas and The Dallas Foundation.

Rules:

• Donations must be $25 or more to receive matching dollars
• Donations must be made by credit/debit card
• The maximum gift per individual is $2,500
• The Dallas Opera is eligible to receive up to $25,000 in matching funds!

We encourage you to visit www.donorbridgetx.org on Wednesday, May 20, to make your donation.

Or make it easy on yourself - complete your Dallas Opera gift renewal on this pledge form, and fax, email, or mail back to us before May 15th, and your donation will be entered securely by TDO staff on May 20th to be matched!

Click here download a pledge form

Please return your pledge form by Friday, May 15th
By mail: The Dallas Opera
8350 North Central Expressway, Ste. 210, Dallas, TX 75206
By fax: 214.443.1060
By e-mail: tracey@dallasopera.org

Thank you for your support! A special thanks to the Communities Foundation of Texas and The Dallas Foundation for matching the donations!

Stephen Costello

COSTELLO TAKES FIRST PRIZE
By Suzanne Calvin

Tenor Stephen Costello, who will sing the role of Ishmael in the world premiere of Jake Heggie’s MOBY-DICK at The Dallas Opera just over a year from now, is the recipient of the Richard Tucker Award–the top award from the Richard Tucker Foundation.

This isn’t just another honor, it’s a genuine career-maker. Previous winners have included the likes of Deborah Voigt and David Daniels.

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