Single Tickets On Sale Now!

If you've been waiting to buy tickets to just one or two of this summer's operas, the wait is over! All tickets are now available for purchase. Reserve your seats today!

• Click here to order tickets for Tosca.
• Click here to order tickets for Der Freischutz.
• Click here to order tickets for The Barber of Seville.

There is someone available in our box office between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Just call (515) 961-6221 or visit the website to make your reservations.

Did you know you can also purchase tickets to other DMMO events through our website? Just click on "Calendar of Events" in the upper left corner!

Meet DMMO's New Production Manager: Chris Brusberg

Tell us about yourself.
I was born and raised just outside of Boston. Though my family moved around quite a bit, I've always thought of Boston as home. I graduated from Boston University with a BFA in Theatrical Design. I now live in New York City (my apartment is really just an expensive storage container). I've worked with many smaller theatre and opera companies in and around Boston in a number of different design, technical and administrative capacities.

What does the Production Manager do?
Right now I am finishing hiring summer technical staff (carpenters, electricians, costumers, and so on). In general, I work with the designers to balance their creative visions with the budget's needs and the season's demands. Once all the staff arrives in the summer, I oversee all the tech crews to be sure that the technical work gets done on time, while allowing all of the other elements of the season to occur. I am also responsible for adjusting the work schedules to give the crews time to work out any problems that arise. Of course, I have to keep a close eye on all the facets of the production budget to help create the highest quality opera that we can, without over-spending.

Why do you focus on opera productions as opposed to plays?
I love music and I love theatre and opera is where they come together. I think that opera can be a really cathartic experience when all the elements combine for a really satisfying dramatic production.

What excites you most about this season and this new position?
I am really excited to see how Der Freischütz comes together. The set and the lighting designs that I've seen are really interesting and I can't wait to see how they come to life....I worked on Opera Boston's production six months ago and I really enjoyed the piece. I think that it will work really well in our theater, so I'm looking forward to watching that transformation unfold! I am also excited to work with the designers and department heads to implement some new procedures that will help the Company to track spending.

What is your favorite opera and why?
It is a tie between Carmen and Rigoletto. I love the music and the raw emotion in Carmen...it's just amazing. I like Rigoletto because of the great music and I love the storm scene at the end.

Win a Week of Luxury in New York City!

You could be living like a Rockefeller and enjoying autumn in New York! In a special fundraising drive, DMMO is raffling off chances to stay in a luxurious, two bedroom suite at the St. Regis Hotel in the heart of midtown Manhattan, just blocks from Central Park, Broadway and more.

The Prize: A week's stay (October 26 through November 1, 2009) in the penthouse at the St. Regis New York, dinner and a show with Dr. Robert Larsen, and an invitation to attend Des Moines Metro Opera's New York auditions. The St. Regis suite is large, with two bedrooms and an additional pull-out in the living room area. It includes 24-hour butler service. (Transportation to and from New York not included. For tax purposes, the total prize value is $27,500.)

The raffle will run from February 18 until all 250 tickets are sold. The drawing will be held on June 20, 2009, at the Der Freischütz opening night gala. You need not be present to win.

The Cost: Raffle tickets are just $100 each and are available by calling (515) 961-6221 or by visiting DMMO's website.

"The Met Live in HD" Broadcasts in March

Iowa Public Radio is offering discounted ticket vouchers for just $12 each! These discount vouchers are only availailable online and must be presented to the theater box office to be redeemed for a valid ticket (please allow enough time before the opera begins to complete the redemption process). Click here to order your discount vouchers.

Des Moines Metro Opera and Iowa Public Radio have teamed up to host the Met's broadcasts in Iowa. We are trying to have a presence at each show at Movies 12 in Ames and at Jordan Creek Mall to share info about DMMO's live performances and IPR's classical music service. If you would like to be a volunteer host at one of the Met broadcasts, please contact McB McManus by email or at (515) 961-6221.

Opera Appreciation Class Offered by Senior College of Greater Des Moines and DMMO

There are relatively few high-quality videos and recordings of Der Freischütz available.

There are several recordings available on CD that stand out:

• The two-disc box set on the Polygram Records label features Karita Mattila, Francisco Araiza, Eva Lind, Ekkehard Wlaschiha, and the Staatskapelle Dresden conducted by Colin Davis.
• Deutche Grammophon's two-disc recording also features the Dresden orchestra, this time with Bernd Weikl, Brigitte Pfretzschner, Edith Mathis, and Franz Crass, under the baton of Carlos Kleiber.
• EMI Classics' version is a two-disc set conducted by Joseph Keilberth with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring Elisabeth Grummer, Ernst Wiemann, Fritz Hoppe, and Gottlob Frick.

One of the best DVD productions available is a 1968 production released by Arthaus Musik. It is directed by Rolf Liebermann and stars Gottlob Frick, Arlene Saunders, Edith Mathis, Franz Grundheber, and Tom Krause.

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Soprano Brenda Harris will make her DMMO debut in the role of Agathe in Der Freischütz. She has previously sung with the Metropolitan Opera, The Washington Opera, Washington Concert Opera, Minnesota Opera, New York City Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Atlanta Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Arizona Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Opera Pacific, and Utah Opera to name a few.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm from an Illinois pig farm. The "town" has all of 400 (that's 4 HUNDRED) people. Yup. I grew up listening to almost only country music!

How did you decide to be an opera singer? What do you love about opera?
No decision. Opera found me. I went to college (Illinois Wesleyan University) in Music Education. I got into the touring choir and eventually started going to the Chicago Lyric with my friends. The spring/summer before student teaching, I got hired by Opera Theatre of St. Louis to be in the Chorus. After the very first day of rehearsal, I knew this was what I wanted to do!

This will be your first Agathe and your debut at DMMO. What excites you about coming to DMMO for this role?
I know first hand that DMMO puts on quality productions. See, my husband, who I met at the aforementioned Opera Theatre of St. Louis summer chorus job, was an apprentice in Des Moines the first summer we were married. I came, before going to my Santa Fe apprenticeship, and visited for two weeks. I saw terrific things so I know it will be a fulfilling experience!

What is your favorite role? What would your dream role be?
I have been asked this question many times and I swear every single time my answer is honestly "the role I'm currently singing". I'm just such a lucky woman. I'm not a mezzo who wishes she were a soprano or a coloratura who wants to be a dramatic. I adore my repertoire (please. wouldn't YOU love Ariadne, Tosca, Norma, Elisabetta, Agathe, et al?), I think they're all dream roles and I look forward to each and every job!

Is there a moment in your career on the opera stage that stands out as your favorite?
That's a hard one. Again, so many emotionally and/or musically and/or dramatically fulfilling moments. But, very early on I won the Oratorio Society of New York competition and as a result, I was hired to sing a concert version of Gluck's Orfeo. I was Eurydice and the Orfeo was none other than Dame Janet Baker who was ending her career with a series of concerts. It changed my life. She was not only an incredible singer, but a wonderful woman and a supportive colleague to a really green soprano. I'll never forget it. She was a shining example of how to behave on and off stage.

How do you get ready for each performance? Do you have a ritual before going onstage?
Not really. Each production is totally different: the opera, the colleagues, the atmosphere. I'm not a superstitious girl so I just do what we've planned. That usually works!

What is on your iPod right now (in addition to opera)?
Now THIS question is way too long for your article. My iPod has so very many playlists. Classic Country, Contemporary Country, Pop, Classical Vocal, Podcasts. I love Carrie Underwood, The Fray, Cesari Siepi singing Cole Porter, Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, U2, All American Rejects, The Goo Goo Dolls, Springstein, Kelly Clarkson. See what I mean? I listen to a LOT of pop, retro and country. And my podcasts are of my very favorite New York City radio station, WPLJ. The morning show guys are hysterical!

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DMMO Receives Challenge Gift
by Robert Montana, Director of Development and Community Relations

Des Moines Metro Opera needs you...and this is no April Fool's Day joke!

Despite a sagging economy, Des Moines Metro Opera has set its most ambitious fundraising goal ever in 2009 to support the creation of the highest quality opera. We need to raise $970,000 by August 31. The great news is that we are already 85% of the way to achieving that goal! But we need your help to reach that target. Click here to make your gift online.

DMMO has weathered economic storms before, thanks to the unwavering support of loyal friends like you. Each year, we reach (and often exceed) our fundraising goals, because you understand the importance of supporting the arts...no matter what.

Because they also understand how vital Des Moines Metro Opera is, our long-time friends Doris Salsbury and Chuck and Marilyn Farr have issued a special challenge: "If you raise $90,000 of new or increased support for Des Moines Metro Opera, we will match every penny of that amount!"

That means that if you make a gift of $100 right now, DMMO will receive $200! We can't afford to let any of these dollars slip away; please make your gift today.

If you make your gift before May 31, your name will be included in the festival program among a very special group of people-the donors who have stepped up in support of DMMO!

Presenting world-class opera to you, our loyal supporters, is an enormous challenge each year. Each gift helps us build the bridge between the income generated by ticket sales and the costs associated with bringing you the very best opera!

If you're already a donor, please consider both the renewal and maybe even a small increase. If you are a new donor, there has never been a better time to join with other DMMO fans to support this magnificent art form--you won't be sorry!

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Mark Your Calendars for Season Events

May 29, 7:00pm
Cabaret Night Live
Hosted by the one and only Wicker Van Orsdel and held at The Temple for Performing Arts, Cabaret Night Live is an evening of standards and show tunes mixed with musical favorites from Broadway and American opera presented by DMMO's talented James Collier Apprentice Artists. Tickets are $50 per person.

May 23--6:30 pm at Blank Performing Arts Center
May 31--1:30 pm at the Art Center
June 3, 6, 11, 13, 20, 24, 27, July 4--1:30 pm at Lekberg Hall
July 2--7:00 pm at the Des Moines Social Club (One-Acts: Abu Hassan by Carl Maria von Weber, Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini)
Apprentice Artist Scenes Programs
Drawn from every corner of the repertory, this free scenes series provides the James Collier Apprentice Artists and opera lovers with an opportunity to delve into the study of the music and the characters under the guidance of a stage director and a musical coach.

June 10, 12:00pm
Threads & Trills Costume Show and Luncheon
Opera fans get a sneak peek at the costumes from the season's operas while enjoying arias and duets sung by principal artists from each show at the Jordan Creek Holiday Inn. Lunch is included with the purchase of a $40 ticket.

June 11 & 13, 11:30am
Peanut Butter & Puccini
Our annual family opera adventure includes a tour of the theater, a special performance of a kid-friendly opera and a peanut butter sack lunch. Tickets are just $10 per person.

June 20, 5:00pm
Der Freischütz Opening night gala dinner
Join us in the dining tent for the opening night, pre-performance gala dinner for Der Freischütz. Tickets are $100; a limited quantity of opera tickets can be purchased separately. Black tie optional.

June 23, 6:00pm
Vino & Verdi
See how opera goes from the page to the stage with a behind-the-scenes look into the rehearsal process, a backstage tour and insider's notes from the production staff at this unique event presented by The OPERAtors. The event is free, but reservations are required.

June 28 & July 5, 7:30pm
Chamber Music Concerts
DMMO's resident Festival Orchestra takes center stage for this series of free concerts in Lekberg Hall.

July 7, 1:00pm
Sherrill Milnes Masterclass
World-renowned baritone Sherrill Milnes will present a masterclass within the James Collier Apprentice Artist Program, working with individual singers on musical and dramatic interpretations. Held in Lekberg Hall, this class is open to the public.

July 9, 7:00pm
Stars of Tomorrow Gala Recital
DMMO's acclaimed James Collier Apprentice Artists shine as they are accompanied by the Festival Orchestra in the annual Stars of Tomorrow concert, presenting arias, duets and ensembles at Sheslow Auditorium on the Drake University campus. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and include a dessert reception with the artists following the concert.