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"The Met Live in HD" Broadcasts
The Metropolitan Opera's "Live in HD" will continue again this year at movie theaters around the state. DMMO hopes to see you at one of these Central Iowa broadcasts. Last year, the event was hosted by Movies 12 in Ames and Century Theater at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines. October will kickoff these broadcasts. Watch for more details to come soon. Until then, "Save the Date" for a showing below!
Wagner's Das Rheingold (Live)
Saturday, October 9, 2010 (12:00 PM CST)
Wagner's Das Rheingold (Encore)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 (6:30 PM CST)
Estimated running time: 3 hours
Two unparalleled artists join forces to create a groundbreaking new Ring for the Met: Maestro James Levine and director Robert Lepage. The cycle launches with Das Rheingold, the prologue to Wagner's epic drama. "The Ring is not just a story or a series of operas, it's a cosmos," says Lepage, who brings cutting-edge technology and his own visionary imagination to the world's greatest theatrical journey. Bryn Terfel sings the leading role of Wotan for the first time with the company, heading an extraordinary cast.
Cast: Wendy Bryn Harmer, Stephanie Blythe, Patricia Bardon, Richard Croft, Gerhard Siegel, Bryn Terfel, Eric Owens, Franz-Josef Selig, Hans-Peter König
Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov (Live)
Saturday, October 23, 2010 (12:00 PM CST)
Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov (Encore)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 (6:30 PM CST)
Estimated running time: 5 hours
René Pape takes on one of the greatest bass roles in a new production by Stephen Wadsworth. Valery Gergiev conducts Mussorgsky's epic spectacle that captures the suffering and ambition of a nation, with Aleksandrs Antonenko, Vladimir Ognovenko, and Ekaterina Semenchuk leading the huge cast.
Cast: Ekaterina Semenchuk, Aleksandrs Antonenko, Oleg Balashov, Evgeny Nikitin, René Pape, Mikhail Petrenko, Vladimir Ognovenko
Donizetti's Don Pasquale (Live)
Saturday, November 13, 2010 (12:00 PM CST)
Donizetti's Don Pasquale (Encore)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 (6:30 PM CST)
Expected Running time: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Anna Netrebko revives her sensational turn in this sophisticated bel canto comedy, opposite Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien, and John Del Carlo in the title role. Music Director James Levine conducts. When Otto Schenk's production premiered in 2006, the New York Times called it "brilliant" and "wonderful."
Cast: Anna Netrebko, Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien, John Del Carlo
Visit the Metropolitan's website to learn more upcoming performances.
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DMMO Guild Chapters Off to a GREAT Start!
All DMMO Guild Chapters are up and running and have begun the new year with a renewed sense of vitality, vigor and enthusiasm! Members of the Ames, Des Moines and Indianola guilds are currently working to get memberships in place, and the grand Kick Off event, "Sundaes on Sunday" on Sunday, October 3 for the newly formed Grinnell/Marshalltown/Newton/Pella Guild Chapter is in full swing.
If you haven't sent in your renewal form please do so as soon as possible in order to finalize membership participation. If you have friends that might be interested in the guild and learning more about opera please bring them to the next event - they just might join in the fun!
We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming Guild event!
Questions? Contact DMMO at (515) 961-6221 to learn more.
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Des Moines Chapter Guild
New and existing members of the Des Moines Guild chapter gathered at West End Architectural Salvage on September 16 for an evening of entertainment. Artistic Director Michael Egel and DMMO Board President Bruce Hughes welcomed the crowd, who enjoyed performances of two arias from Don Pasquale and mingled over drinks and appetizers.
Des Moines Guild Chapter Halloween Party! October 14, 6:30 p.m. at Badowers on Ingersoll.
Learn the "tricks" of designing the perfect costume from a theater expert and "treat" yourself to food and drink with fellow opera enthusiasts. Local costume design expert Ginny McKeever will share some of her beautiful creations from the Guthrie Theatre and other companies.
To get involved, contact one of the two chapter co-presidents:
Adrienne McFarland at: adriennemcfarland@yahoo.com or via phone at (515) 720-4677
or Leo Skeffington at: lskeffington@ncpinconline.com or via phone at (515) 244-8120.
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Indianola Chapter Guild
The Indianola chapter met on Sunday, September 19 at the home of Phil and Judy Watson. It was a time for meeting new memberes and visiting with renewing members. Simpson College students John Humphrey and Rebcca Karmer entertained everyone with arias from Don Pasquale.
The chapter will be "taking it on the road" in October. Indeed, Guild Chapter members will be taking a road trip to beautiful Madison County on Sunday, October 24, to spend the afternoon with Winterset opera folks. The group will first tour Winterset's art center, then head for the Madison County Dessert Factory to enjoy entertainment and fabulous food. Carpooling will be arranged, but we plan to arrive in Winterset by 2:15. With magnificent scenery, art, music, food, and good friends, it's sure to be a perfect way to spend an afternoon! It's a New Year!
All are welcome!
To learn more, contact Julia Hagen at: dbhagen3@mchsi.com.
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Michael Egel appointed as Artistic Director
Recently, the Company announced its selection of Michael Egel to serve as the second Artistic Director in its history. Egel will assume responsibility for repertory selection, casting and creating collaborations with new conductors and stage directors for each mainstage production. He will work with the Company's Board of Directors in the selection of a Principal Conductor for an appointment beginning in the 2012 season.
Following the successful 2010 Summer Festival Season, which received local and national acclaim, Egel's appointment as Artistic Director continues the artistic leadership transition that was begun in March to ensure the vision and legacy of Founder and Artistic Director Robert L. Larsen. This two-year transition will culminate in the 40th anniversary season in 2012 and will create a model that will allow new opportunities for engaging dynamic conductors and stage directors. Larsen will remain with the Company as Director Emeritus in a lifetime appointment.
"Michael Egel represents the soul of the Des Moines Metro Opera-dedicated, extremely capable and indefatigable," said Larsen. "Largely responsible for the success of the 2010 Summer Festival, he has easily moved into the role of spokesman for the Company and has been an intrinsic part of all the artistic decisions of the enterprise. He is the right person at the right time to make a transition in artistic direction. With Michael, the transition will be seamless but with significant new direction and important innovations for the future of the Company."
To read the full article, visit: http://www.desmoinesmetroopera.org/news_press.htm
Congratulations Michael! DMMO is in fine hands!
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Make Plans to Purchase Your 2011 Season Tickets!
Current DMMO season ticket holders can renew their subscriptions beginning October 1. New subscribers can purchase season tickets beginning on November 2. Single tickets will go on sale April 1.
As in years past, current subscribers will have the chance to renew their series choice and secure their seats before they are available to anyone else! Of course, those who wish to change their series or their seats, will receive the best seats available before they go on sale to the general public.
New subscribers will have the opportunity to secure the best possible seats, ensuring that they can see the fabulous productions of Puccini's La Bohème, Donizetti's Don Pasquale, and Poulenc's The Dialogues of the Carmelites on their preferred dates.
Watch your mail for subscription information. If you have any questions, please contact Box Office Manager Dennis Hendrickson at (515) 961-6221.
Season Tickets make GREAT holiday gifts too!
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