46th summer festival

die fledermaus rusalka flight the tender land

welcome to the 2018 season Experience world-class opera in one of the most unique and intimate theaters in the nation. Every seat in our 467-seat theatre is closer to the center of the stage than the first row at the Metropolitan Opera, bringing you up close and personal with the powerful drama on the stage. Before the show, reserve a seat at our oneof-a-kind restaurant and enjoy exquisite cuisine inspired by the evening’s opera or pack your own dinner and enjoy an al fresco picnic on our grounds. Warm up for every opera with a free pre-performance preview. After the show, stick around to mix and mingle with our incredible artists in the theatre lobby. Then close out the evening with a post-performance Tech Talk as our production team strikes the set. The possibilities are endless. Create your own unique story with Des Moines Metro Opera in 2018!

ORPHÉE ET EURYDICE 2016

“World-class opera grows tall and proud in the Corn Belt. - Chicago

”

Tribune

BLANK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC 2017

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR THE LAURIDSEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

dance the night away SUNG IN ENGLISH Rosalinda SUSANNAH BILLER Eisenstein DAVID PERSHALL Adele ANNA CHRISTY Alfred TAYLOR STAYTON Prince Orlofsky SARAH LARSEN Dr. Falke TROY COOK Frank CRAIG IRVIN

An effervescent and sparkling confection, J. Strauss’s beloved operetta waltzes into your heart with familiar melodies, witty repartee and delightful charm. The cunning Dr. Falke decides to play a joke on his friend Eisenstein as a little light revenge for a night of carousing gone awry. As his scheme unfolds subplots hilariously pile up, eventually converging at an extravagant masquerade ball hosted by a Russian prince. Deceptions and disguises among friends and lovers give way to affection, laughter, and—as any happy ending should—champagne for all!

OPENING NIGHT GALA

JUNE 23, 5:00PM

Join us for an unforgettable evening in celebration of Des Moines Metro Opera’s 46th Summer Festival! Sip champagne or our exclusive specialty cocktail and enjoy an exquisite three-course meal while listening to world-class entertainment from DMMO’s principal artists. After dinner, sit back and enjoy the opening night performance of Johann Strauss II’s delightfully bubbly confection, Die Fledermaus, which makes its triumphant return to DMMO after an absence of nearly 30 years!

FLEDERMAUS DIE

2:00pm JUNE 24, JULY 15

J. Strauss

8:00pm JUNE 23 7:30pm JUNE 29, JULY 7, 12

be careful what you wish for SUNG IN CZECH Rusalka SARA GARTLAND (PICTURED) Prince EVAN LEROY JOHNSON Ježibaba JILL GROVE Vodník ZACHARY JAMES Foreign Princess LAURA WILDE

Based on a familiar fairy tale tinged with seductive pastoral beauty and evocations of the supernatural, Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka features a heroine who longs to transform herself for love, a jealous rival, witchcraft, and an opulent score. Rusalka, a beautiful water nymph, falls in love with a human prince and will do anything to escape her enchanted moonlit world to become human—but her wish comes at a very high price. Dvořák juxtaposes the mortal and the mythical with beautiful folk melodies and luminous arias, including Rusalka’s familiar and radiant “Song to the Moon.” Sara Gartland, who was last seen at Des Moines Metro Opera as Jenůfa, returns to sing the title role.

THE MYTHICAL SLAVIC MERMAID JUNE 4, 7:00PM National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library 1400 Inspiration Pl SW, Cedar Rapids, IA

Join us for a fascinating exploration of the music in the opera Rusalka. Des Moines Metro Opera’s production highlights the 125th anniversary of Antonín Dvořák’s sojourn in Spillville, Iowa. Principal Conductor and Music Director David Neely will lead a presentation, including performances by principal artists. Refreshments will follow the presentation and performances. FREE

rusalka

7:30pm JUNE 22, JULY 3, 6, 14

Dvoล™รกk

2:00pm JULY 1

getting there is half the fun SUNG IN ENGLISH Refugee JOHN HOLIDAY (PICTURED) Controller AUDREY LUNA Tina ZULIMAR LÓPEZ-HERNÁNDEZ Bill ANDREW BIDLACK Steward THEO HOFFMAN Stewardess SOFIA SELOWSKY Minskwoman ELISE QUAGLIATA Minskman NORMAN GARRETT Older Woman DEANNE MEEK Immigration Officer ZACHARY JAMES

Flight is an opera bustling with the endless possibilities of air travel. Inspired by the true story of a refugee stranded for 18 years in the Charles de Gaulle airport, eight strangers find themselves stuck overnight together in an airport due to a sudden and severe electrical storm. Jonathan Dove’s inventive score and dramatist April de Angelis’ deeply human libretto create a superbly original modernday operatic comedy and a breakthrough theatrical experience.

JOHN HOLIDAY IN CONCERT APRIL 8, 7:00PM Plymouth Church, 4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines Join us for an evening of opera, musical theatre and jazz favorites featuring acclaimed countertenor John Holiday. His 2017-18 season includes a world premiere at Opera Philadelphia and exciting debuts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Kennedy Center, Florida Grand Opera and the Philharmonie de Paris before debuting with Des Moines Metro Opera this summer.

FLIGHT

7:30pm JUNE 30, JULY 10, 13

Dove/De Angelis

2:00pm JULY 8

Copland

THE TENDER LAND PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land is a vivid portrait of the rural Midwest, youthful spirit and the American dream come to life. The beautiful story depicts the lives of Laurie, her family and two migrant workers in a quintessential coming of age story set during the Great Depression. The score is cut from the same cloth as that of Appalachian Spring—the melodic, folkish music that defines Copland. Utilizing the gorgeous vistas of a rural Iowa landscape at sunset as a backdrop, this production will be presented outdoors and in partnership with the Maytag Dairy Farms in Newton, Iowa. For both performances of The Tender Land, DMMO will be offering a roundtrip shuttle service from the Des Moines Art Center to the Maytag Dairy Farms. Additional opportunities for tours of the farm, carriage rides and Iowa-themed, pre-show dining experiences will be announced in the spring of 2018.

8:30pm JULY 5, 8 INCLEMENT WEATHER DATE JULY 9

special events

STARS OF TOMORROW FEATURING THE APPRENTICE ARTISTS AND THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA SHESLOW AUDITORIUM, DES MOINES Discover opera’s rising stars at one unforgettable concert! Chosen from over 1,000 applicants and live auditions in New York, Chicago, Houston, Cincinnati and Des Moines, the 40 members of our Apprentice Artist Program take the stage for one-night only to perform opera’s greatest duets, trios and ensembles alongside our acclaimed Festival Orchestra. After the performance, don’t miss the opportunity to mix and mingle with the artists at the complimentary dessert reception.

TICKETS Adults $25 | Students $10

7:00pm JULY 11

apprentice artist events

Discover 40 rising opera stars at several summer festival events. Chosen through a national audition process, DMMO’s apprentice artists perform in the season chorus and small supporting roles. Now, cheer them on as they take the spotlight to perform opera’s greatest hits and cherished rarities throughout the festival season!

DEATH BY ARIA

6:30pm MAY 26

BLANK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER The 40 apprentice artists open the season in the theatre lobby with their signature aria. FREE

APPRENTICE SCENES PROGRAM

1:30pm JUNE 2, 8, 16, 27, 30, JULY 14

LEKBERG HALL, 519 N. Buxton St. Join us as the apprentice artists present fully-staged scene programs that span the operatic repertoire. FREE

enhance your experience SHUTTLE SERVICE Book a comfortable round-trip shuttle from Des Moines to the performance site. The opera shuttle is available on select dates to pick up guests from the Des Moines Art Center at 4700 Grand Avenue in Des Moines and arrive in time for the free opera preview 45 minutes before each performance. For mainstage performances the cost is $8/person and for The Tender Land the cost is $15/person. Opera tickets are sold separately.

DINING WITH DMMO Make your opera experience complete with themed evening menus catered by the Embassy Club and brunches by Gateway Market. Enjoy gourmet dining pre-performance right in the convenience of the theatre lobby. Dinners are $45/person and brunches are $25/person. Reservations are required. Full menus for dinners and brunches are at dmmo.org/dining.

FESTIVAL CALENDAR MON

TUE

WED

THU

JULY

JUNE

SUN

FRI

SAT

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

DIE FLEDERMAUS RUSALKA FLIGHT THE TENDER LAND

STARS OF TOMORROW SHUTTLE DINING TECH TALK

BEFORE AND AFTER THE SHOW Make the most of your day with DMMO with these free features that take place before or after performances.

OPERA PREVIEW Explore the fascinating story behind each opera production! Offered 45 minutes prior to each performance at the Blank Performing Arts Center.

MEET THE ARTISTS Continue the celebration after each performance with singers, audience members and production personnel in the theatre lobby.

TECH TALK After meeting the artists, close out select evenings with a free behind-the-scenes look and discussion as the production team ‘strikes’ the set for the next day’s show. Please check the calendar for specific dates.

PHOTO CREDITS Ben Easter Photography, Joey Iregui, Laura Smalley, Duane Tinkey

SINGLE TICKETS STARTING AT

A1

A

B

C

$89

$78

$67

$37

SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES STARTING AT

A1

A

B

C

$246

$210

$174

$105

Prices are subject to change at any time based upon availability by section and performance dates. Casts and repertory are also subject to change. All ticket sales are final. No refunds or cancellations.

SEAT MAP BLANK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 513 N. D St. Indianola, IA

ready to order? Visit DESMOINESMETROOPERA.ORG or call our box office at (515) 961-6221 to order your tickets today!

- Opera News

unexpected U.S. summer “Essential opera venue. ”

BILLY BUDD 2017

106 West Boston Avenue Indianola, IA 50125-1836