October's Guild Chapter Meetings

Des Moines: Monday, November 9 at 7:00

Ames: Tuesday, November 10 at 7:30

Indianola: Tuesday, November 17 at 7:00

Ames Chapter Enjoys a Performance by the ISU Opera Studio and a Gourmet Meal

 

The Ames Chapter co-hosted the Opera Gala, "Dining With The Stars," on October 23 in Ames with the Iowa State University Opera Studio. Nearly 100 people enjoyed a gourmet meal following the ISU Opera Studio presentation on the ISU campus. Click here to see photos from the event.

Dilys Morris and Achilles Avraamides, Ames Chapter co-presidents, prepared the meal, ably assisted by Marina VanLeeuwen and Hanna Gradwohl, who also decorated for the Gala. Hans VanLeeuwen served as master of ceremonies for the evening, thanking all who participated for their support of opera in Iowa.

Pictured above is Nicole Conetzkey, a mezzo-soprano, who sang "Porgi, amor" from Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro and Mrs. Lovett's "The Worst Pies in London" and "A Little Priest" from Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. Nicole and the many other talented performers enjoyed a relaxing dinner with the members of the Ames Chapter.

The Opera Gala was the first of what is hoped to be continuing collaboration between the two Ames groups focused on opera and supporting young opera singers. Proceeds from the event will support Des Moines Metro Opera and the ISU Opera Studio.

Des Moines Chapter Enjoyed a Sweet Evening

Our October meeting/event was held at Chocolaterie Stam on Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines. With over 50 people in attendance, the evening featured chocolate samples, appetizers and wine. A presentation by the owners of Stam provided a unique perspective on chocolate making and the Stam family's commitment to the quality of chocolate. Click here to see photos from the event.

Former Executive Director of DMMO, Jeri Mace, gave a presentation on the importance and role of the Guild to an opera company and the importance of a group of people in making the guild successful. Ed Griffith, a tenor who has performed with DMMO in the past, presented some beautiful singing, including an aria from Susannah, and was accompanied by Francine Griffith.


Indianola Chapter Delights in an "Evening in Paris"

The Indianola Chapter met at the DMMO office building on October 20 for a delightful “Parisian evening.”

 

President Dru McLuen, and Vice President Julia Hagen, decorated the meeting room like a Parisian café, enhanced with refreshments of wine and cheese. It was a very special evening. Kim Roberts, Assistant Music Professor at Simpson College entertained the guild members with a lovely performance. Her first selection was from La Bohème and the other piece was a song composed by Dr. Michael Patterson, also a professor at Simpson College, based on the poem, "Tokens" by John Dunne. Kim spoke to the Guild members about the process of becoming a professional singer. It was very informative and we all learned a great deal about Kim and the music students.

Opera Trivia

 

A character in one of Verdi's early operas is the father and grandfather of characters who appear in one of his later operas. Who are the characters and in what operas do they appear?

 

 

Click here for the answer.

The News of the Day November, 2009
Editors: Fred Brown-Ames and McB McManus-DMMO

Des Moines Chapter: Monday, November 9, 6:00-9:00 pm
Fleur Cinema & Cafe (4545 Fleur Drive, Des Moines)

Iowa Edition: New York Mertropolitan Opera Audition Idol!

6:00pm - meet and greet - wine/beer/refreshments available in Lobby of Fleur Cinema

7:00pm - film

 

Enjoy a sneak peek screening of the Metropolitan Opera's The Audition, a 2009 documentary that follows several young singers through the Met's National Council Audition program. Hear from local experts what it takes to judge, present and prepare to perform in the Iowa District's Metropolitan Auditions.

 

$10 suggested donation at the door.

 

Wine, Beer, Soda, and concessions available for purchase in the lobby of the theater.

 

For more information, please contact the DMMO Office at 515-961-6221 or email dhendrickson@dmmo.org.

 

The Metropolitan Opera's documentary explores what it takes to win one of the most coveted prizes in the world of opera: a $15,000 check and the chance to launch a career. The Audition offers an unprecedented look behind the scenes of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, featuring interviews with the finalists, as well as their make-or-break performances.

Ames Chapter: Tuesday, November 10, 7:30 pm
St. John's by the Campus Episcopal Church (2338 Lincoln Way in Ames)

Fachs: German Vocal Classification Procedure for Opera

Our presenter will be Don Simonson who is Professor of Music at ISU. He is nationally known for his voice training of students, and performs in operas and concerts throughout the world.

Indianola Chapter: Tuesday, November 17, 7:00 pm
Home of Michael Egel (contact the DMMO office at 961-6221 for address or directions)

A Preview of Verdi's Macbeth

Michael Egel, DMMO's Director of Artistic Operations and an adjunct professor of Opera History at Simpson College, will give a preview of Giuseppe Verdi's tragic masterpiece, Macbeth, with insights into the score, the stage drama, and DMMO's interpretation.

DMMO Guild Council Meeting

The DMMO Guild Council, a group formed by the presidents of the individual chapters of the Des Moines Metro Opera Guild, will have its regular meeting at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at the Botanical Gardens in Des Moines. This is the opportunity for the chapters to present ideas for issues such as chapter outreach, educational activities and fund raising, as well as to provide a report of activities.

Please contact your Chapter President if you have questions, concerns or comments to share with the Guild Council.

Secure Your Seats for DMMO's 2010 Season--Order Your Season Tickets Now!

All subscriptions are now on sale! Season tickets are a great way to ensure yourself the best available seats on your preferred dates for DMMO's exciting productions of The Marriage of Figaro, Macbeth and Susannah. Subscriptions range in price from $99 to $230 and give you the flexibility of exchanging your dates if you find that you have a conflict later in the year.

Click here to purchase or renew your season subscriptions online or call (515) 961-6221 to order by phone.

Mark Your Calendars Now For Upcoming Events

 

Holiday Party
The annual Guild Holiday Party is coming up! This year's event will be hosted by the Ames Chapter and will feature the Madrigal Singers from Simpson College. We hope that many members of the Des Moines and Indianola Chapters will be able to join us for this program.
Date: December 8, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: St. John's Episcopal Church (2338 Lincoln Way in Ames)

 

Des Moines Chapter Fundraiser with John Michael Moore

Iowa native and last summer's Figaro returns to Des Moines for a benefit concert!
Date: January 10, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: St. Paul's Episcopal Church (815 High Street in Des Moines)

 

 

Guild Night at the Opera

As you make your plans for next summer's opera season, consider joining members of all three Guild Chapters to celebrate another Festival Season at a performance of Susannah!

Date: July 7

Time: 7:30 pm

Location: Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola

"The Met Live in HD" Broadcasts

The Metropolitan Opera's "Live in HD" series begins later this month and Iowa Public Radio is going to be the local media sponsor for the 2009/2010 broadcasts at movie theaters around the state. DMMO will once again partner with IPR to host the Central Iowa broadcasts at Movies 12 in Ames and Century Theater at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines. If you are interested in acting as a volunteer host and receiving free tickets, please contact McB McManus by email at mmcmanus@dmmo.org or by phone at (515) 961-6221.

This month's broadcasts:
Aida – Verdi
Wednesday, November 11 (6:30 pm CT)
Running time: 3 hours, 56 minutes (2 intermissions).

Set in ancient Egypt, Aida is both a heartbreaking love story and an epic drama full of spectacular crowd scenes. A cast of powerful voices and a grand production bring the story to life on the Met stage (and on the HD screen). Violeta Urmana stars in the title role of the enslaved Ethiopian princess, with Dolora Zajick as her rival. Johan Botha plays Radamès, commander of the Egyptian army, and Daniele Gatti conducts. Among the score's highlights is the celebrated "Triumphal March."

Note: Discounted vouchers for live performances for Cedar Falls, Dubuque, West Des Moines, Ames and Iowa City sold out. Vouchers for encore performances sold out in Cedar Falls, West Des Moines and Iowa City. You can still purchase regular priced tickets at the local theater.

Turandot – Puccini
Saturday, November 7 (12:00 pm CT)
Wednesday, November 18 (6:30 pm CT)
Running time: 3 hours, 21 minutes (2 intermissions).

Director Franco Zeffirelli's breathtaking production of Puccini's last opera is a favorite of the Met repertoire. Maria Guleghina plays the ruthless Chinese princess of the title, whose hatred of men is so strong that she has all suitors who can't solve her riddles beheaded. Marcello Giordani sings Calàf, the unknown prince who eventually wins her love and whose solos include the famous "Nessun dorma."

Note: Discounted vouchers for live performances for Cedar Falls, Dubuque, Ames, West Des Moines and Iowa City sold out. Vouchers for encore performances sold out at Iowa City. You can still purchase regular priced tickets at the local theater.

Visit Iowa Public Radio's website to learn more about purchasing discounted ticket vouchers.

Voci di Vita (Voices of Life)
Benefiting WesleyLife Hospice Care

You are invited to share in a very special celebration of life, featuring Simpson College Voice Students performing selections from Grand Opera! Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres while bidding on an array of silent auction items that are sure to pamper your body, mind and spirit!

Date: Sunday, November 22nd

Location: Edgewater, WesleyLife’s newest community (9225 Cascade Avenue in West Des Moines)

2:00 p.m - Social Hour and Silent Auction
3:00 p.m - Performance featuring Simpson College Voice Students - Selections from Grand Opera

$50.00 per person

Please RSVP by November 13th to (515) 271-6765. Due to limited seating, reservations are needed.

Don't Forget! There is just one Guild meeting in December...

All three Chapters will gather for the Holiday Party in Ames on Tuesday, December 8.

See you there!


The News of the Day is the e-newsletter of Des Moines Metro Opera's Guild. We welcome submissions from all Guild members; please send all materials to McB at mmcmanus@dmmo.org.