THE DALLAS OPERA ANNOUNCES
“12 DAYS OF KINDNESS CAMPAIGN”
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TDO’S NEW AMERICAN OPERA
BECOMING SANTA CLAUS
INSPIRES INITIATIVE TO BENEFIT
LOCAL NON-PROFITS
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EFFORTS PROMOTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA SITES TO ENCOURAGE FOLLOWER PARTICIPATION
DALLAS, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is taking inspiration from the message in its world premiere of the holiday opera BECOMING SANTA CLAUS and partnering with area non-profits in a “12 DAYS OF KINDNESS CAMPAIGN” promoted through its social media outlets. The company has identified several non-profit organizations for which it will encourage support through creating exposure, coordinating donations, and other special activities in the spirit of giving back. The campaign will begin on November 21, 2015 with efforts occurring through December 4, 2015. The applicable social media outlets are The Dallas Opera’s facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites.
BECOMING SANTA CLAUS is an original new work by American composer Mark Adamo (Little Women), brimming with the true spirit of the holidays! It’s the third production of the “Seeking the Human Element” Season, opening on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. in the Winspear Opera House, with additional performances December 6, 9, and 12, 2015. BECOMING SANTA CLAUS promises to be a visually spectacular, musically unforgettable world premiere that tells the tale of a young spoiled Prince who learns the lesson of the most treasured gift of all.
The first day will benefit the North Texas Food Bank for which The Dallas Opera staff is asking readers to bring three canned items or one jar of peanut butter to the Family Performance at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House on Saturday, November 21, 2015. A free ticket will be provided for the donation to that day’s production of Rossini and Company at 2:00 p.m. Donations will also be accepted at the Winspear Opera House lobby on November 21, 22 and 23, 2015. The North Texas Food Bank provides access to 170,000 meals for hungry children, seniors and families through a network of more than 1,000 programs and 262 partner agencies. For more information please visit www.ntfb.org.
The second day, November 23, The Dallas Opera Guild and staff will be baking cookies for the SoupMobile for distribution to the homeless. The organization is a faith-based non-profit that serves the homeless by providing more than 20,000 sandwiches and 30,000 cookies every month, and shelter for those in need. For more information please visit www.soupmobile.org.
The third day, November 24, will benefit the Children’s Heath and Children’s Medical Center, Plano and Dallas campuses. The Dallas Opera has created a unique coloring book with a BECOMING SANTA CLAUS theme. Children at the hospitals will be given a free Becoming Santa Claus Coloring Book and crayons with the hope that spirits will be brightened as they enjoy their gift. The coloring book was designed by students from six different area high schools and printed by The Dallas Opera to be donated to the children. The coloring book was made possible by The Moody Foundation, with additional support from Q Roberts Trucking and Childrens Medical Center Foundation.
The fourth day, November 25 is a drive for the SPCA of Texas for which The Dallas Opera will collect dog and cat treats and toys for the organization. A box will be set up in the Winspear Opera House lobby where donations may be dropped off. The mission of the SPCA of
Texas is to provide every animal exceptional care and a loving home. For more information please visit www.spca.org.
The fifth day, November 26, Thanksgiving Day, is a day The Dallas Opera is accepting tags for its social media sites for followers to post for what they are thankful. It will be a wonderful opportunity to express thanks for the many blessings our participants would like to share with the hopes of creating an inspiring day of gratefulness. The Dallas Opera’s facebook, twitter and Instagram sites will be dedicated to this initiative.
The sixth day, November 27, is a drive benefiting the Genesis Women’s Shelter led by The Women’s Board of The Dallas Opera. A collection box will be located in the Winspear Opera House lobby for donations of toiletries, new socks and undergarments for boys, girls and women. Genesis Women’s Shelter is committed to preventing violence by raising the level of community awareness regarding the pervasiveness and effects of domestic violence. For more information please visit www.genesisshelter.org.
The seventh day, November 28 is a designated Hug Drive Day. The Dallas Opera will encourage readers to give someone or a favorite furry friend a hug as an act of kindness. Participants can photograph their special hug and tag us on their post.
The eighth day, November 30, is a “Shop for Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center” day. Commonly known as “Cyber Monday”, our Day of Kindness encourages donors to shop online through Dallas Animal Services Amazon Wish List. To participate please visit
www.amazon.com/gp/registry/giftlist/1X05HA4VYRQT7/ref=topnav_lists_2. Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center encourages responsible pet ownership through adoption, spay/neuter, public education and outreach, and ordinance enforcement. For more information please visit www.dallasanimalservices.org.
The ninth day, December 1, is a coat and new sock drive for Crossroads Community Services whereby donors may bring the garments to a collection box in the Winspear Opera House lobby. Donations will be accepted December 1-6, 2015. Crossroads Community Services physically and economically nurtures our community’s low-income families by providing tangible support through nutritious food, clothing and supportive education.
The tenth day, December 2, The Dallas Opera staff will visit C. C. Young Senior Living • Senior Care to spread some cheer by singing holiday carols to residents. Our social media followers are encouraged to partake in a volunteer activity in which they believe.
The Dallas Opera will post photos of the caroling on its sites. C.C. Young is dedicated to helping seniors enjoy an active, fulfilling lifestyle and providing personalized care and support. The eleventh day, December 3, The Dallas Opera staff will strive to help the environment by having a trash and recycle pick-up day at White Rock Lake coordinated through the organization For the Love of the Lake. Staff and interested patrons will meet at the Pavilion at Flagpole Hill, then divide into groups to clean up five key areas around the lake. Followers are invited to join the activity by meeting at 3:00 p.m. For the Love of the Lake (FTLOTL) is dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of White Rock Lake Park as an urban oasis. FTLOTL accomplishes this through spruce-up activities, tree planting events, and raising money for an “all-inclusive” playground. For the Love of the Lake needs your help to make this dream come true. The world has Mother Nature, children need you. For more information please visit www.WhiteRockLake.org. The twelfth day, December 4, begins a Toys for Tots drive. The Dallas Opera will collect toys in the Winspear Opera House lobby December 4-12, 2015. The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community. Patrons who have purchased tickets to Becoming Santa Claus and donate a toy for the drive will receive a free cup of hot chocolate donated by Wolfgang Puck Catering, while supplies last. For more information please visit www.dfwtoysfortots.org.
The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House is located at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, in the Arts District.
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TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSOR FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “SEEKING THE HUMAN ELEMENT” SEASON
Ticket Information for the 2015-2016 Dallas Opera Season
All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise indicated. Single Tickets range from $19 to $275. Full Subscriptions start at $99, Flex Subscriptions (three-performances of your choice) begin at $75. Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.
THE DALLAS OPERA 2015-2016 FALL SEASON INFORMATION
The Dallas Opera celebrates its Fifty-Ninth International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired. The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances excluding FIRST NIGHT of the season.
GREAT SCOTT by Jake Heggie
October 30, November 1(m), 4, 7 & 15(m), 2015
A Thrilling Dallas Opera World Premiere!
Libretto by Terrence McNally*
Time: Present Day
Place: A Major American City
Conductor: Patrick Summers
Stage Director: Jack O’Brien
Set and Costume Designer: Bob Crowley*
Lighting Designer: Brian MacDevitt*
Projections Designer: Elaine J. McCarthy
Wig & make-up Designer: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Italian Language Consultant: Valentina Simi
Starring: Joyce DiDonato* (Arden Scott) (The Marnie and Kern Wildenthal Principal Artist) Ailyn Pérez (Tatyana Bakst), Frederica von Stade (Mrs. Edward “Winnie” Flato), Nathan Gunn (Sid Taylor), Anthony Roth Costanzo* (Roane Heckle), Kevin Burdette (Eric Gold), Rodell Rosel* (Anthony Candolino), Michael Mayes* (Wendell Swan). A Brand-New Dallas Opera Production!
TOSCA by Giacomo Puccini
November 6, 8(m), 11, 14, 20 & 22(m), 2015
A passionate and timeless masterpiece in a beloved period production
An opera in three acts first performed in Rome, Italy on January 14, 1900
Text by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa after Victorien Sardou’s 1887 French-language play, La Tosca
Time: Early 19th century
Place: Locations in and around the City of Rome
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Stage Director: Ellen Douglas Schlaefer*
Set and Costume Designer: Ulisse Santicchi
Lighting Designer: Marie Barrett
Wig & make-up Designer: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Children’s Chorus Master: Melinda Cotten
Starring: Emily Magee (Floria Tosca), Giancarlo Monsalve* (Mario Cavaradossi), Raymond Aceto (Baron Scarpia), Ryan Kuster (Angelotti), Dale Travis* (A Sacristan), William Ferguson (Spoletta), Wes Mason (Sciarrone). One of The Dallas Opera’s Most Popular!
BECOMING SANTA CLAUS by Mark Adamo
December 4, 6(m), 9 & 12, 2015
An Eagerly Awaited Dallas Opera World Premiere!
Libretto by the composer, Mark Adamo.
Time: Now
Place: An Elven kingdom in the far, far north; also, the stable of the first Christmas
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Stage Director and Choreographer: Paul Curran
Set and Costume Designer: Gary McCann*
Lighting Designer: Paul Hackenmueller*
Projections Designer: Driscoll Otto*
Wig & make-up Designer: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Jennifer Rivera* (Queen Sophine), Jonathan Blalock (Prince Claus) (Charron and Peter Denker Rising Star), Matt Boehler* (Donkey), Hila Plitmann* (Yan), Lucy Schaufer* (Ib), Keith Jameson (Yab), Kevin Burdette (Ob).
Another New Dallas Opera Production!
* Dallas Opera Debut
** American Debut
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The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Texas Instruments Foundation, TACA, City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs; the Texas Commission on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News. A special thanks to the Elsa von Seggern Foundation for its continuing support.
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