Vivace FALL/WInteR 2013 SuBScRIptIOnS On SALe nOW
for making Indianola your home for the last 41 years. Today Indianola is home to a welcoming new YMCA, Simpson College’s distinctive Kent Campus Center and the multi-use Blake Fieldhouse. With all these great performers, we can’t wait for the second act.
Thank you,DesMetrMoinesoOpera,
Indianola YMCA Kent Campus Center
Visit: www.indianolaiowa.gov
Welcome! VIVAce | FAll/WiNTer 2013 | deSmoiNeSmeTrooperA.org 2 3contents A look back: THe 41ST FeSTiVAl SeASoN 5 Amahl and the Night Visitors 7 The 42nd Festival Season 9 AudiTioNS / operA ioWA 10 SouNd clipS / cATcHiNg up WiTH 11 WiNe & Food SHoWcASe / geTTiNg To KNoW you . . . 12 S AV e TH e d AT e S / TicKeT iNFo 13 p l AN your e xperie N ce: iN di AN ol A the LAuRIDSen FAMILy enDOWMent IS the 2014 SeASOn pReSentIng SpOnSOR Vivace newsletter, Fall/Winter 2013, is published bi-annually by Des Moines Metro opera, inc., 106 West boston Avenue, indianola, iowa 50125-1836. Volume 1, issue 2.
According to our 2013 economic impact study, des moines metro opera contributed over $1 million in labor income and $4 million in income to metro area industries last year. Through our mainstage performances and statewide educational and outreach programming, we reached over 40,000 people during the last fiscal year. All of this was accomplished within our customary balanced operating budget and demonstrated our commitment to fiscal responsibility and artistic excellence. To those whose enthusiasm for the season was coupled with financial support, we say thank you! if you have not yet become a contributor, we invite you to consider doing so this year! your gift, regardless of size, will be an important one.
Welcome to the second issue of Vivace, des moines metro opera’s bi-annual newsletter. We are pleased to be able to provide you with this update on the coming season thanks to the city of indianola, the indianola chamber of commerce and Willis Auto campus. Their generous sponsorship enables us to provide this beautiful newsletter to you, our subscribers, patrons and friends. i hope that after reading this issue you'll make plans to join us for the coming season's many exciting events.
michael egel, general and Artistic director
As one of America's major summer opera festivals, des moines metro opera understands that efforts to build new audiences are greatly enhanced when organizations travel outside their traditional performance spaces. This year we launch the 2nd Stages Series to engage operagoers in creative and sometimes unorthodox spaces around our community. conceived as an expansion to the Summer Festival Season, the 2nd Stages Series will allow us to expand our reach to new audiences, a core component of our mission to introduce live performance to audiences in the midwest. This year’s 2nd Stages Series will feature Amahl and the Night Visitors during the holiday season at Hoyt Sherman place and The Tragedy of Carmen at the des moines Social club in July. Keep reading this issue for insights and more information.
New subscriptions went on sale to first-time subscribers on october 1. Subscribing is the best way to experience all that des moines metro opera has to offer: you’ll enjoy the best value on tickets and exclusive access to great benefits, including first access to tickets for The Tragedy of Carmen, free date exchanges all year long and original price assurances! This season has something for everyone and if current trends are any indication, many of our preferred performance dates will sell out before single tickets go on sale. you won’t want to miss any of our productions this year, and summer will be here before you know it!
After two intense months of rehearsals, performances, events, lectures, concerts and parties, the stage darkened on the 2013 season on July 14, and the following day company members dispersed to all points of the globe. The 41st season is now behind us and it was a popular and critical success—called "the strongest season in memory" by Opera News and a "jewel of the midwest" with "world class productions" by Opera Today i am pleased to report that once again nearly half our audience was from outside of iowa, and as a whole represented 37 states, 67 iowa counties and 2 foreign countries—a testament to the high quality artistic experiences that audiences have come to expect at des moines metro opera.
peteR gRIMeS
A Look back 2013
"Des Moines Metro Opera's forty-first season found the company taking some provocative risks and considerably upping the artistic ante...when elektra and Orest embraced, the mask shed tears, and so did we. this was DMMO's strongest season in memory." Opera News International Magazine
Opera News
Opera News
Opera Today
"Maestro neely... drew forth a highly charged yet tightly controlled reading. DMMO should be justly proud of a festival orchestra that would be the envy of many a major house."
"honeywell's extraordinary performance... bodes to be a career-defining performance. this grimes would be a front-runner on any stage, anywhere."
"cast from strength, lovingly conducted and imaginatively staged, this was an ideal combination that made a very strong case for gounod's opus."
WhAt the cRItIcS ARe SAyIng:
Opera Today
ROMeO AnD JuLIet
"eLektRAthis Elektra was a offoneendeavorbraveandthatpaidbeautifully."
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"All told, for musicality, gorgeous singing and dramatic credibilty, Des Moines fielded an impressive pair for their title roles."
"AftereLektRAelektradigs
The Des Moines Register
ROMeO AnD JuLIetpeteR gRIMeS
up the axe... then dances herself to death, the audience could do nothing but stand as one and holler their approval. they were prepared to keep clapping much longer!"
"Peter Grimes presents its own set of daunting challenges which were met head on by this enterprising company."
Opera Today
Opera Today
in 1950 the National broadcasting corporation commissioned italian composer gian-carlo menotti to write an opera for live broadcast on the fledgling new medium of television. on christmas eve of the following year, Amahl and the Night Visitors premiered on Nbc it was the first opera expressly commissioned for television, and as such it marks an important milestone in operatic history. The 55-minute work is a lyrical interpretation of the christmas legend of the Three Kings and has gone on to become the most frequently performed opera in history.
“To these Three Kings,” menotti continues, “i mainly owe the happy christmas seasons of my childhood and i should have remained very grateful to them. instead i went to America and soon forgot all about them, for here at christmas one sees so many Santa clauses scattered all over town.”
When menotti accepted Nbc’s commission to write a one-hour long opera in english, he found himself uninspired and struggling for ideas. one afternoon while walking gloomily through the rooms of the metropolitan museum of Art in New york, he happened upon a classic painting of the magi (Hieronymous bosch’s “The Adoration of the magi”). The then 40-year-old menotti wrote the story, the libretto (in english), and composed the music.
An oPerAtic MHoLiDAYirAcLe
“my favorite King,” menotti once wrote, “was King melchior because he was the oldest and had a long white beard. my brother’s favorite was King Kaspar, whom he insisted was a little crazy and quite deaf. i don’t know why he was so sure about his being deaf. i suspect it was because dear King Kaspar never brought him all the gifts he requested.”
menotti grew up with the european tradition of the Three Kings bringing gifts to children on epiphany. Various stories and legends, many of them humorous, came to be associated with the Kings who, by the eighth century, had been identified as melchior, balthazar and Kaspar.
The opera introduces a widowed shepherd woman and her crippled son Amahl who are out of food, wood for the fire, and oil for their lamp, and will have to go begging the next day. Suddenly, the Three Kings, who are following a star to bethlehem, arrive at their cottage needing a place to stay for the night. in the ensuing scenes, the first christmas miracle occurs.
menotti’s humble story of a shepherd boy and his mother has become the most performed opera in the world
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American equity is the premier presenting Sponsor for Amahl and the Night Visitors
7:30pM: 6 &
des moines metro opera’s production will be a part of its Second Stages Series and will be performed at the historic Hoyt Sherman place. Founder and Artistic director emeritus robert l larsen makes a special return to provide stage direction for the production. music director david Neely conducts a wonderful cast that will be headed by Julie makerov (last seen as chrysothemis in Elektra) as the mother, long-time dmmo favorite Todd Thomas as King melchior, and the role of Amahl sung by merrill middle School sixth grader pierce mansfield.
The original production was staged entirely for television by the composer himself. Amahl and the Night Visitors was the first christmas special to become an annual television tradition. From 1951 until 1966, it was presented on Nbc on or around christmas eve as either a special presentation or as an episode of an existing anthology series. The original 1951 and 1952 Kinescopes have been released on dVd along with the 1955 telecast with William mciver, father of des moines' own matt mciver. both the 1951 and the 1963 productions were recorded by rcA Victor red Seal. The 1951 cast recording is available on compact disc.
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His life partner was the celebrated American composer Samuel barber, for whose operas menotti also wrote the libretti and with whom he shared his life until barber's death in 1981. upon menotti's death in 2007, Alex ross, music critic for The New Yorker magazine, wrote the following in his blog "The rest is Noise":
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This production is presented in memory of Wendy Waugaman, who was a remarkable president of the des moines metro opera board of directors and a passionate entrepreneur in bringing new audiences to this dynamic art form. American equity is the premier presenting Sponsor, and Wendy’s many friends and colleagues are working together with des moines metro opera to bring this production to the stage in her honor.
"He was a complex and inconsistent figure whose place in American opera history is nonetheless secure. The Medium, The Telephone, The Consul, and Amahl and the Night Visitors were huge phenomena in their day, holding audiences rapt on broadway and via network television, and they remain part of the repertory of American opera houses today. menotti's operas are, above all, pragmatic in their approach, using an eclectic assortment of styles to address various dramatic situations: Stravinskyan neoclassicism for the bustle of daily life, puccinian melodies for the love scenes, bergian dissonance for the tragedies, hymn tunes and folk melodies as appropriate. They hold the stage better than the works of many more intellectually celebrated figures. Virgil Thomson's review of The Medium is worth noting: 'i have heard it three times and it never fails to hold me enthralled. mr. menotti's libretto and his music form a unit that is deeply touching and terrifying... The play wrings every heartstring, and so does the music. i cannot conceive the whole work otherwise than as destined for a long and successful career.'"
7 | 2pM: December 7
AMAhL AnD the nIght VISItORS gian-carlo Menotti hoyt Sherman place
December
gian-carlo menotti was a pulitzer prize-winning italian-American composer and librettist. His professional life was spent in the united States and he usually spoke of himself as an American composer, despite retaining his italian citizenship. He composed 25 operas, almost all in english, wrote his own libretti and usually staged his own works. menotti also founded the "Festival of Two Worlds" summer music festival in Spoleto, italy, in 1958, and directed it for nearly 40 years. in 1977 he helped establish an American offshoot, Spoleto Festival u.S.A., in charleston, South carolina, which still operates today.
Julie makerov MOtheR Todd Thomas MeLchIOR
Making a case for Menotti
Since its first performance, Amahl and the Night Visitors has taken its place with A Christmas Carol, Handel’s oratorio The Messiah, and Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker as a holiday classic. performed on every continent and in many languages, Amahl and the Night Visitors has been seen by more people than any other opera in history. it was written specifically for young imaginations that can easily relate to a child with a head full of dreams, especially around the holidays. it remains an inspiring story of how faith, charity, unselfish love and good deeds can work miracles.
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parental advisory: contains graphic violence, explicit language and some nudity. Not recommended for ages under 18.
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some rely on mistaken identity, political intrigue, magic, envy, or greed. La Traviata breaks the mold. Verdi and his librettist, Francesco maria piave, spin a tale of social expectation and conflict—a story of a courtesan who falls in love and ultimately sacrifices everything for her love. Verdi makes us care so deeply about his heroine that her heart and happiness carry the tale. For more than a century and a half, audiences have adored this heroine and the score Verdi considered his most meaningful.
rossini’s effervescent Le Comte Ory is a comic tale of disguise, seduction, and the victory of virtue. The scene is the French countryside; the time, the middle Ages during the crusades. count ory, a young nobleman, will do just about anything to conquer the chaste countess Adèle—but his page isolier will do even more to win her love. The result is a triangle of intrigue, counter-intrigue, and counter-counterintrigue that features some of the most gorgeous and vocally dazzling music in the operatic repertoire.
JuNe 27-July 20, 2014 42nd Festival Season
SomelVerdiaTraviataoperassweepthroughvastswathsofhistory;
lroSSiNiecomte ory
based on the extraordinary book of the same name by Sister Helen prejean, Dead Man Walking was Heggie's first opera, with a libretto by Terrence mcNally. it premiered in 2000 at the San Francisco opera and has since been performed numerous times across the united States and throughout europe. From its shocking beginning to its emotionally searing final scene, this opera changes everyone who encounters it. its stunning score and intense story combine into a work that “must be reckoned something of a masterpiece—a gripping, enormously skillful marriage of words and music to tell a story of love, suffering and spiritual redemption.” (San Francisco Chronicle)
2014 has something for everyone! our Summer Festival Season repertory includes the return of a timeless operatic classic paired with two operas that will be company premieres—the first a modern masterpiece, the second a sparkling farce by opera’s greatest comedic composer.
Heggie (mATure AudieNceS) dead man Walking
Also in 2014, des moines metro opera is launching a 2nd Stages Series that will engage new opera-goers in creative spaces around our community. conceived as an expansion of the company’s very successful Summer Festival Season, the 2nd Stages Series will build on des moines metro opera’s mission to introduce live performance to audiences in the midwest and to bring great art to as many people as possible.
Amahl and the Night Visitors
The Tragedy of Carmen is opera at its most powerful—a raw and visceral adaptation of bizet’s most popular work. peter brook and his collaborators have crafted a concentrated night of theater that focuses on the fatal relationships between the gypsy, soldier, village girl and bullfighter. The score retains all of the most famous musical moments of the original; carmen’s "Habanera" and "Seguidilla," don Jose’s "Flower Song," and escamillo’s swaggering "Toreador Song." performed at the des moines Social club’s newly remodeled facility, this will be an opera experience not-to-be-missed.
Menotti DeceMber 6 & 7
AppreNTice ArTiST progrAm July 16 Stars of Tomorrow
While giving shelter to the Three Wise men on their journey to find the newborn child, a poor mother and her crippled son, Amahl, discover the healing power of love. Amahl and the Night Visitors has become a holiday classic for the whole family. Hoyt Sherman place will provide the historic backdrop for this beautiful production.
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The Tragedy of carmen
An insider’s favorite and one of the best kept secrets in des moines is this annual concert held at Sheslow Auditorium on the drake university campus. The evening features the forty members of des moines metro opera’s Apprentice Artist program performing with the acclaimed Festival orchestra. A perfect event for first-time opera goers, the evening’s program will offer duets, trios, quartets and ensembles sung by some of America’s most promising voices.
bizet/brook JuLY 10 & 19
See Opera in a Whole New Way!
From these auditions, the mainstage roles will be cast and contracts for the Apprentice Artist program will be offered. This process is grueling and exciting but is a critical part of fulfilling our mission to identify the most promising vocal talent in America today and bring them to central iowa each summer! • school performance of OPERA Fall Auditions
photosegisterMarychind/r
For
operA iowa is booking for its 2014 tour! if you are interested in bringing The Three Little Pigs to your school or The Elixir of Love to your community, please call 515-961-6221 or email dmmo@dmmo.org.
No matter the location, audition days are usually long, beginning with the first singer at 9:00 am and finishing with the last around 6:00 pm each day. in New york singers are heard at NolA Sound Studios, a hub of the New york musical scene situated in midtown manhattan. The facility is utilitarian and cost effective, with several audition halls and one common lobby—it is not unusual for dmmo to be next door to auditions for other opera companies or even musical theater productions. much like manhattan real estate, affordable audition space is at a premium!
"it’s always a special treat for my children to hear live music because for many of them school is the only place they’ll ever have those kinds of experiences. Those of us who cherish music remember the people who opened our hearts to the power and wonder of great music. over the years it has been my privilege to partner with operA iowa to bring that same joy to my students. The children, and even many of my adult co-workers, are thrilled to experience their first live opera.
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See Opera in a Whole New Way!
have offered. dmmo provides a pianist to ensure that each singer has the same quality of accompaniment and proper support from the keyboard. For the New york auditions, the company is fortunate to have a great pianist in Joseph Smith, who has played for dmmo's auditions for well over 30 years and knows every obscure corner of the repertory like the back of his hand. rarely does a singer bring in a piece he does not already have at least passing familiarity with, and not only does Joe sit through every audition, he spends the majority of the day seated on a hard piano bench with few opportunities for breaks!
des moines metro opera’s operA iowa educational Touring Troupe is a true source of pride for the company. The troupe gives nearly 90 performances all over the state of iowa and surrounding states and introduces the joy and power of live performance to school children and adults alike. patty Trump, an educator at monroe elementary in des moines, told us how important the program is to her:
each singer brings with them a variety of arias from operas. They will choose the piece with which they begin, and then dmmo will make a second selection from the others they
"For several years, some dear friends of mine sponsored a visit from operA iowa for their neighborhood elementary school. my fondest wish would be that every school in iowa could have an angel or two like that to bring the magic of opera to the next generation of music lovers."
some people the return to school or the turning of the leaves is the first sign of autumn. At des moines metro opera the first sign of fall is the arrival of hundreds of applications for auditions from singers around the country. dmmo receives over 1,200 applications each season and will hear well over 500 people in live audition. This year the annual audition season begins in cincinnati on october 3 and will travel to baton rouge, chicago, New york city and philadelphia before winding up in des moines for a day of auditions on december 16. These auditions will be primarily for Apprentice Artist positions, but will also include managed singers for principal roles.
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Iowa's the three Little Pigs Oper A 101:
pReSentIng SpOnSOR
pReSentIng SpOnSOR FRAnk R. BROWneLL III
this summer longtime DMMO friends kyLe MARReRO and JAne ReDDIng moved their family to the Atlanta, georgia, area, where kyle is the new president of the university of West georgia in carrollton. “ the passion to serve as a leader in higher education comes from the same place that drives my love for the performing arts,” says kyle. We wish them well in their new pursuits!
BRenDA hARRIS (elektra, Elektra, 2013) offers her incredible portrayals of Verdi's lady macbeth, and June mathis in dominick Argento's rarely performed The Dream of Valentino with The minnesota opera.
Important honors were recently awarded to DMMO staff members: Last spring Marketing and communications Director nIck RenkOSkI was named a member of the Des Moines Business Record’s 2013 class of "Forty under 40." this summer Development coordinator gReg VAn Den BeRghe was selected to become a member of the greater Des Moines Leadership Institute's community Leadership program class of 2014! DMMO congratulates nick and greg, and we are pleased the community recognizes the level of talent we are fortunate to have!
SARA gARtLAnD (Juliette, Romeo et Juliette, 2013) returns this season to utah opera for Violetta in La Traviata, then debuts at Austin lyric opera as Adina in The Elixir of Love and Arizona opera as Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore
•Catching up with...
In August ROBeRt L. LARSen, Des Moines Metro Opera’s Founder and Artistic Director emeritus, was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s "Sages over 70" for his vision and determination to develop a thriving opera company in central Iowa. the award recognizes people over the age of 70 who have been influential in greater Des Moines. Winners will be honored in the november issue of dsm magazine and at an event on november 12 at the temple for performing Arts.
cRAIg VeRM (mercutio, Romeo et Juliette; Ned Keene, Peter Grimes, 2013) sings Zurga in The Pearl Fishers for Nashville opera, marcello in La Bohème and papageno in The Magic Flute for pittsburgh opera, then performs with gotham chamber opera in Nyc in Spring 2014.
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ScLIunSDp
the 2013 Des Moines Business Record’s Women of Influence Awards numbers among its honorees longtime DMMO Board Member and friend, patty cownie. She was honored at a ceremony held on August 8. Among her many passions is the arts. cownie believes a thriving arts scene will attract young people to Des Moines. “It affords opportunities that bigger cities would offer,” she said. patty has been president of the Des Moines Metro Opera Board, and she has served on the Des Moines Arts Festival committee, civic Music Association Board and Des Moines performing Arts Board.
Immediately following their successful Des Moines Metro Opera performances in Britten’s Peter Grimes this summer, both ROgeR hOneyWeLL and cRAIg VeRM traveled to chile for another Britten masterpiece, Billy Budd (pictured right). craig appeared in the title role and Roger sang the role of captain Vere for the teatro Municipal de Santiago. craig has certainly observed the Britten centenary in 2013, having also sung the role of Sid in Britten’s Albert Herring at the théâtre du capitole in toulouse earlier this spring!
ROgeR hOneyWeLL (grimes, Peter Grimes, 2013) debuted in chile as captain Vere in britten’s Billy Budd and later returns to the canadian opera company for Peter Grimes, then travels to pacific opera Victoria for the role of bacchus in Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos
JOyce eL khOuRy (magda, La Rondine, 2012) will sing musetta and mimì in La Bohème at the canadian opera company, then the title role of Rusalka in concert with the San Antonio Symphony. Summer 2014 she sings micaëla in bizet's Carmen with the Santa Fe opera.
congratulations to soprano JuLIe MAkeROV, who appeared as chrysothemis last season in Elektra, and her husband Mike on the birth of their son Liam on September 20. Julie returns to Des Moines Metro Opera to perform the role of the Mother in our December production of Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors. Additional best wishes to mezzo-soprano eLISe quAgLIAtA, who will sing the role of Sister helen prejean this coming season in heggie’s Dead Man Walking. She and her husband xavier are expecting their first child this December.
JOhn MOORe (onegin, Eugene Onegin, 2012) appears as papageno in The Magic Flute and Fléville in Andrea Chénier at the metropolitan opera before spending the summer singing his first guglielmo in Così fan tutte with the Hypho performing Arts center in Hyogo, Japan.
tAyLOR StAytOn (ernesto, Don Pasquale, 2011) returns to dmmo for the title role in Le Comte Ory, but prior to that he sings the role of count Almaviva with opera de lille and deutsche oper berlin. Spring finds him at the metropolitan opera as elvino in bellini's La Sonnambula
says dennis of the early days. “We did whatever was asked of us around the office. it was actually good training for the type of work i do now.”
many dmmo patrons are so impressed with dennis that they order tickets over the phone just for his personal touch. dennis’ charming demeanor, desire to help and ability to be creative are just a few of the things that make the des moines metro opera experience special. many des moines metro opera fans attend year after year and for them, dennis is like an old friend. Some are surprised that he’s been with the company for only twelve years, but his history with it goes back farther than that.
ReguLAR tIcket $50/person
When the calendar turns to February, Des Moines Metro Opera fans can count on two things: snow and Des Moines Metro Opera’s Wine & Food Showcase. this annual food and beverage convention is the oldest in the area and has become a yearly favorite for foodies and oenophiles alike. Featuring more than 40 of the area’s finest restaurants, caterers, wineries, distilleries and distributors, the Wine & Food Showcase has become the premier event of its kind in Des Moines and Des Moines Metro Opera’s signature fundraiser.
dennis worked as a summer intern for the rest of his college days and into the start of his teaching career. He was a school music choral director for more than 20 years until he returned to dmmo in 2002. His teaching experience is part of what makes dennis an essential part of the operA iowa educational Touring Troupe, supervising the summer box office interns and founding the “raising Voices rising Stars” high school music program last year. “This job takes patience, creativity and a real ability to problem solve,” dennis says. “Show me one person who's been successful working with high school musicians who doesn’t have those skills.” it is no surprise that the title of director of education was added to his title this year!
VIp tIcket $100/person (includes pre-event VIp Flight, general admission)
even as box office manager, dennis is always teaching, helping folks get the best out of their experience with des moines metro opera and connecting those people with great opera memories. For many, the sound of “This is dennis. How may i help you?” is a comforting one, one that makes all seating fears dissolve. For a company known for its vocalism, the phone voice of dennis Hendrickson is certainly no exception.
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WIne & FOOD ShOWcASe
getting to know you: Dennis HenDrickson
his 12 years as des moines metro opera’s box office manager, dennis Hendrickson has gotten to know many people. it’s his favorite part of the job. For many des moines metro opera patrons, he is the member of the staff they interact with the most. “Talk to dennis,” is the common prescription to every and all ticket dilemmas. From last minute changes to planning a subscription a year in advance, the personal care and expert treatment with which he solves problems resembles the services offered by a concierge at a luxury hotel.
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call 515-961-6221 or visit desmoinesmetroopera.org for tickets or more information.
The corning, iowa, native first came in contact with des moines metro opera in 1974 when he was a freshman at Simpson college majoring in Vocal music education. He was asked to join the summer office staff of the brand new opera company by company founders robert l larsen and doug duncan. “it was one other student and me. it was very exciting, i was new to the art form and got to experience it from the inside out,”
FeBRuARy 21, 2014 DeS MOIneS MARRIOtt DOWntOWn
in
ADVAnce tIcket $40/person
the 2013-14
SimpsonApeRFORMIngRtScenteR,locatedoncollegecampus,Indianola,IA
FOr tIckets
Sunday 6/29 or 7/20 | 7/6 | 7/13 $245 $205 $175 $120
sAve DAtes
RSVp 515-961-6221requestedor dmmo@dmmo.org
BLAnk
purchase online at desmoinesmetroopera.org or call 515-961-6221 and use code: VIVAce42
7/4 | 7/5 | 7/6 | 7/11 | 7/12 | 7/13
June 27 OpenIng nIght gALA DInneR hubbell hall, Simpson college campus, 5:30pM $100/person Join us for the opening night, pre-performance gala dinner for La Traviata and post-performance celebration. opera tickets can be purchased separately. black tie optional.
Weekend 3 7/11 | 7/12 | 7/13 $220 $185 $160 $110
Students (K-college) 7/8 | 7/15 | 7/17 $39 $33 $29 $21
nOvember 1 OVeRtuRe JoinDes2921M5:30-8:00pMOBeRggALLeRyIngersollAvenueMoines,IADesMoinesMetroOpera and
Build-your-Own $245 $205 $175 $120
7/18 | 7/19 | 7/20 $92 $77 $66 $49
June 14 thReADS & tRILLS cOStuMe ShOW AnD LuncheOn Wakonda country club, 12:00 noon $40/person get a sneak peek at the costumes from the festival season and be treated to an excellent meal while enjoying arias and duets sung by principal artists.
Strauss’ Elektra: October 19, 7:00pM & October 20, 12:00pM For more information, visit iowapublicradio.org.
July 16 StARS OF tOMORROW
Saturday 6/28 or 7/19 | 7/5 | 7/12 $245 $205 $175 $120
as we
OctOber IOWA puBLIc RADIO’S "OpeRA In OctOBeR" SeRIeS gounod’s Romeo and Juliet: October 5, 7:00pM & October 6, 12:00pM
Sheslow Auditorium, Drake university, 7:00pM $25/adults, $10/students Apprentice Artists and Festival orchestra members present duets and ensembles. Tickets include a dessert reception following the concert.
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the trAgeDy OF cArMen (Subscriber Add-on) general Seating 7/10: 7pm & 9pm | 7/19: 1pm $40
Friday 6/27 or 7/4 | 7/11 | 7/18 $240 $195 $170 $112
Britten’s Peter Grimes: October 12, 7:00pM & October 13, 12:00pM
sIngle tIckets (on sale Feb. 21)
Weeknight 7/8 | 7/15 | 7/17 $220 $185 $160 $110
Opening night 6/27 | 6/28 | 7/5 $245 $205 $175 $120
Weekend 2 7/4 | 7/5 | 7/6 $220 $185 $160 $110
2014 subscrIptIOn serIes A1 A B c
6/27 | 6/28 | 6/29 | 7/8 | 7/15 | 7/17 $78 $66 $57 $42
June 19 & 21 peAnut ButteR & puccInI Blank performing Arts center, 11:00AM $10/person our annual family opera adventure includes a kid-friendly opera, a peanut butter sack lunch and a backstage tour of the theatre.
AMAhl AnD the nIght vIsItOrs A B c Adult $40 $35 $30 Student $20 $15 $10 Tickets can be purchased through dmmo or in person at the Hoyt Sherman place Theater box office. if you purchase through Ticketmaster via phone, there will be additional fees and charges applied to your order.
Weekend 4 7/18 | 7/19 | 7/20 $220 $185 $160 $110
times and dates are subject to change. call 515-961-6221 or visit desmoinesmetroopera.org for more information or to order tickets. friends kick off the season and celebrate national Opera Week! enjoy a retrospective of set designs from DMMO's performance history, great music and delectables from gateway Market catering.
DesShehOytRMAnpLAce,Moines,IA
located
13 VIVAce | FAll/WiNTer 2013 | deSmoiNeSmeTrooperA.org
lavidalocawinery.comMARketAttheSquARe,
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At DMMOIn InDIAnOl A
A comprehensive look at ballooning and its history through its exhibitions and collections, the museum archives more than 200 years of ballooning and hosts 5,000 visitors a year (with 20 countries in attendance). Admission $3.
Located on the Square, Downtown Indianola, this family-friendly event draws up to 6,000 bikes and a crowd of over 10,000. In addition to the many standard and custom motorcycles on display, enjoy live music, food and beverages, vendors and exhibits, a live radio broadcast and award presentations. Free bikedowntoitown.comadmission.
MARketS
nAtIOnAL BALLOOn MuSeuM
Members of the music staff introduce the background and highlights of the evening’s opera in a free educational and informal presentation 45 minutes prior to each pperformance.OSt-OpeRA InSIghtS
Following selected opera performances, get in on the behind-the-scenes action as the production director and staff show how the evening’s production came to the stage, then how they "strike" the set to prepare for the next day’s performance. Backstage tours are included. Admission is $20 and reservations are required.
LA VIDA LOcA WIneRy, just west of Indianola, is open tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5:00pM, and Sunday, 12-5:00pM.
on the Square, Downtown Indianola, is held on Saturdays from 7-11:00AM, June-August. marketatthesquare.com
pRe-ShOW DInIng gourmet dining at its finest! enjoy menus catered by the embassy club and gateway Market and themed for each opera in the secluded airconditioned comfort of the theatre lobby.
InDIAnOLA BIke nIght
Sunationalballoonmuseum.comMMeRSetWIneRy,justnorth of
InDIAnOLA FARMeRS' MARket is located at the Warren county fairgrounds on Saturdays from 8-12:00 noon, and Wednesdays from 2-6:00pM, June-October.
Indianola, is open tuesday-Sunday, 10AM-5:00pM, and Monday by appointment. summersetwine.com
OpeRA pReVIeWS
pLAn yOuR expeRIence
We’re a MetroDessponsorproudofMoinesOpera
At the Willis Auto Campus we endeavor to maintain a tradition of automotive excellence and service leadership. We offer a true selection of quality vehicles, while providing the professional service that is both expected and deserved.
The Willis Auto Campus is honored to provide sponsorship to Des Moines Metro Opera. We recognize the importance of this type of cultural enrichment and appreciate the vitality it brings to our community.
Willis_Opera_special.indd 1 9/18/13 10:34 AM Escape with the spectacular productions at the nationally renowned Des Moines Metro Opera. Let your spirit soar when the balloons fill the sky at the National Balloon Classic. Imagine the courage required by the first pilots when you visit the National Balloon Museum. Tap your foot to the beat at Bluegrass Tuesdays on the Courthouse Lawn. Join the rally, listen to the bands and check out the bikes at Bike Down to I Town. Stomp grapes and enjoy wine and live music at Summerset Winery, LaVida Loca Winery or Two Saints Winery. Step into the past at a themed tea at Miss Spenser 's Tea Room. Join the competition and the fun at the Hawg licious BBQ Competition. Drive your disc to the goal at our champion caliber disc golf course. Splash, paddle, swim, camp or catch at big one at Lake Ahquabi State Park YouwillfindallofthisandmoreinIndianola,just12milessouthofDesMoines.Download100+ThingstoDoinIndianolaathttp://www.indianolachamberofcommerce.comIndianolaTourismispleasedtosupporttheDesMoinesMetroOpera. You are invited to enjoy world-class events, unique experiences & outdoor family fun in Indianola, IA.
Painting by Bob Kling
Des Moines Metro Opera, Inc. 106 West Boston Avenue Indianola, IA 50125-1836 Return Service Requested Visit: Follow:Like:Watch:desmoinesmetroopera.orgyoutube.com/user/DesMoinesMetroOperafacebook.com/DesMoinesMetroOperatwitter.com/dmopera Menotti DeceMber 6 & 7, 2013 Amahl and the Night Visitors JuNe 27-July 20, 2014 42nd Festival Season lVerdiaTraviata Heggie (mATure AudieNceS) dead man Walking lroSSiNiecomte ory bizet/brook The Tragedy of carmen SeASoN SubScripTioNS oN SAle NoW! deSmoiNeSmeTrooperA.org 515-961-6221