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OPERAzzi
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October 3, 2007
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Welcome to October's OPERAzzi This year, we'd like to try something new: an occasional article written by you, our readers, called "My First Opera." We're going to collect stories about the first opera experience of long-time fans and newcomers alike. Do you remember your first opera? Was it a live performance? Was it on the radio? What do you remember about it? Who were the singers who stand out in your mind? How did you know that this art form was special? Share your story with us by sending it to msmith@dmmo.org and maybe you'll see your story in a future issue of OPERAzzi!
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Mark Your Calendar:
October 31--Subscription Renewal Deadline.
Current subscribers can secure their seats for the 36th Festival Season.
November 1--New Subscriptions Go On Sale.
Ticket buyers who have not subscribed before will be able to order their opera tickets for all three of next summer's operas.
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Season Subscriptions On Sale November 1
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On November 1, season tickets will become available to those patrons who have not previously purchased them, allowing these patrons to join the family of subscribers and take advantage of the many benefits of being a season ticket holder. Subscribers have the ability to exchange their dates if a conflict arises. Subscribers also now have the right to renew their seats earlier than the general public, thus securing their favorite seats from year to year! That means that they won't be left on a waiting list if the performances sell out. In addition, purchasing a season ticket saves you money (as much as 13%!) over buying single tickets and says to the world that you support Des Moines Metro Opera. The 2008 productions of A Masked Ball, Regina and The Elixir of Love promise all the drama and pageantry that you have come to expect from DMMO! You won't want to miss a moment of the opera magic. Click here to order your subscription online!
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Save The Date For The Mascheranda Gala Ball
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Des Moines Metro Opera is hosting the Mascheranda Gala Ball on March 1, 2008. This event promises to be one of the most elegant and exclusive events of 2008...Central Iowa's "can't-miss-it" party. Mark your calendars right now so you can join us in making this event a huge success! Inspired by DMMO's upcoming production of A Masked Ball, the Mascheranda Gala Ball will be modeled after the annual Carnevale in Venice, Italy, complete with masks and costumes. The evening will include dinner, dancing, performances by Des Moines Metro Opera artists, professional dancers, roving minstrels and other surprises. Stay tuned to OPERAzzi for more details!
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Updates From DMMO's Guild
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Des Moines Metro Opera's three Guild chapters (based in Ames, Des Moines and Indianola) are dedicated to supporting the Company, learning more about opera and having fun with other opera lovers. Each chapter has great programs, events and fundraisers lined up for the coming year! Click here to learn more about joining the Guild. The DMMO Guild Council, the body that oversees the three individual chapters, belongs to a large organization called Opera Volunteers International. This spring we were asked to submit some of the Guild's fundraising ideas. The Ames chapter submitted "Arias in Ames," Des Moines submitted "Choose Your Own Fundraiser," Indianola submitted "Peanut Butter and Puccini," and the Guild Council submitted "Threads and Trills." All four entries were selected as Projects of Special Merit. But special congratulations go to the Indianola chapter because their nomination also received an award of $250! Exciting things are happening in the Guilds...if you're not yet a member, consider joining today! Ames Chapter
The Ames chapter meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm at St. John's Episcopal Center (2338 Lincoln Way). The next meeting on October 9 will feature a program presented by Curt Snook, a producer at WOI-FM 90.1, on the subject of Wagner's "Ring" Sources and Legends. Refreshments will be coordinated by Evelyn Fuller and Hanna Gradwohl. We started the season with a highly successful "Overture Dinner" a potluck which never fails to please, held at the Greater Iowa Credit Union on September 9. One thing that made it especially wonderful was the attendance of several of the staff from the Des Moines Metro Opera company. We thank them for making the drive up to Ames to enhance the experience. Des Moines Chapter
You are cordially invited you to attend its next meeting "In Wine There Is Opera" on October 8 at the home of Joan Burke (3811 Greenwood Drive in Des Moines). The program will be a "tasting of the summer season with a light American blend" aned feature soprano Emily Grundstad accompanied by Jared Hall, both Simpson College graduates. The evening will begin with a social hour at 5:30 pm. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served. The program will follow. The cost per person is $10. Please RSVP to Joan (274-3473) by October 6. We would love to see you there. Mark your calendar for the Des Moines chapter's November 12th meeting featuring Maria di Palma with a presentation on Wigs, Hair and Make-up for Opera. More information will follow in next month's newsletter. Indianola Chapter
The Indianola chapter's annual Evening with the Maestro was held on Friday, September 14. At the event we heard from Maestro Robert Larsen as he answered questions that people had about the Company. Two very talented Simpson College students were on hand to perform for us. We had an excellent turn out and look forward to another great year. The Indianola chapter's next event will be a Mitch Miller-style sing-along at the home of Donni and Frank Nowasell on Thursday, October 25 at 7:00pm. Please note this date is a change from our original schedule.
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The 35th Anniversary Season By The Numbers
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The 35th Anniversary Season was definitely one for the record books! Here are a few of the numbers that made it so special: - 1,181: Applications received for the James Collier Apprentice Artist Program
- 557: Live auditions heard by Dr. Larsen
- 247: Number of recorded auditions heard by Dr. Larsen
- 42: Apprentice Artists selected from all those auditions
- 11: Apprentices who sang comprimario roles in mainstage productions
- 13: Events at which Apprentice Artists performed
- 17: Principal artists who performed with DMMO
- 59: Musicians in the Festival Orchestra
- 51: Children's chorus members who appeared onstage in the three operas
- 26: Adult chorus members who appeared onstage in the three operas
- 9: Dancers hired for Carmen
- 12: Brass musicians hired for Otello
- 9: Supernumeraries who appeared onstage in non-singing roles
- 32: Technicians and stage artisans on the Festival staff
- 370: Costumes used for the three operas
- 7,792: Mainstage opera tickets sold
- $457,150.59: Value of mainstage opera tickets sold
- 263: Names left on the waiting list who were unable to get tickets
- $1,046,155.32: Amount of money raised during the 35th Anniversary Season
- 651: Individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies who donated money to DMMO in 2007
- 261: Days left until Opening Night, 2008!
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Civic Music Association Invites You To An Evening With Nathan Gunn
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Special offer for DMMO Supporters and Opera Lovers! An Evening with Nathan Gunn
Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Rescheduled from the Civic Music Association 2006/07 Concert Season due to weather Nathan Gunn is recognized as one of America's most exciting young baritones. Mr. Gunn has appeared in many of world's most prestigious opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Paris Opera, and the Monnaie in Brussels. Gunn's many roles include the title role in Billy Budd, Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Marcello in La bohème. Call the Civic Music Association office at (515) 280-4020 and mention the offer code "opera" to receive 25% off of single tickets. Offer not valid online.
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