SEASON IN REVIEW

50th Anniversary Season IN REVIEW

Mozart The Magic Flute

March 5-6, Des Moines Civic Center

Des Moines Metro Opera kicked off its 50th Anniversary Season in March with Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade’s revolutionary and visually stunning production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. The production saw the company’s long-awaited return to the main stage of the Des Moines Civic Center after Puccini’s Tosca in 2001, over two decades ago. The Magic Flute also featured the first-ever partnership between DMMO and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra.

Thanks to a leadership gift from the Lauridsen Family Foundation, Des Moines Metro Opera invited hundreds of area middle and high school students to a special Monday morning performance of the first act as part of Des Moines Performing Arts’ Applause Series. Prior to the performance, teachers and parents received an interactive Inquiry Guide that provided educational lessons about the opera, music history, and cross-curricular connections.

A Thousand Acres Workshops

July 2021 - March 2022

In preparation for this summer’s world premiere of Kristin Kuster and Mark Campbell’s A Thousand Acres, the composer, librettist, creative team, and cast participated in piano/vocal workshops in June, October and January, and were then joined by the full orchestra for a final workshop in March.

DMMO celebrated 50 years with golden glamor in one of downtown Des Moines’ most distinguished recent additions— the Krause Gateway Center. The evening featured an elegant dinner by the Des Moines Embassy Club and Chef Michael LaValle with shimmering vocal fireworks delivered by 50th anniversary mainstage artists and a major update on the 50 Next endowment campaign. The festivities moved onto the dance floor with the Diamond Empire Band, who were joined by the vocal stylings of countertenor John Holiday.

An Evening with Joyce and David

March 27, Plymouth Church

Acclaimed mezzo-soprano Joyce Castle presented an evening program of opera, art song, jazz and musical theatre favorites with Maestro David Neely at the piano (and ukelele!). The program was held at Plymouth Church in Des Moines as part of the Des Moines Chapter of the DMMO Guild’s 2022 event lineup.

Wine, Food and Beer Showcase

April 28, Downtown Des Moines Marriott

This signature fundraiser made its triumphant return to downtown Des Moines featuring over 40 of the finest restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries and distilleries in the area. Guests sampled the night away while enjoying pop-up arias throughout the evening.

Golden Gala

June 11, Krause Gateway Center