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OPERAzzi
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September 3, 2008
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Welcome to the 37th Festival Season! We have an outstanding lineup of operas in store for you this year, not to mention all the events that will go with it! We are already hard at work planning for next summer's season to bring you the first-rate singers, lavish costumes, sweeping sets, and fantastic music that you've come to expect from Des Moines Metro Opera. We're looking forward to seeing you next summer, so mark your calendar now for the 37th Festival Season: June 19-July 12, 2009!
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Mark Your Calendar
October 1--The Subscription Renewal campaign begins. Renew your subscription to lock in your seats early!
November 3--Subscriptions go on sale to the general public. Purchase tickets to all three 2009 productions to save money and get the very best seating selection! DMMO is in the process if updating our website with a fresh look for the new season...stay tuned to OPERAzzi for the unveiling!
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The 37th Festival Season
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You've waited long enough! The operas selected by our inimitable Founder and Artistic Director, Dr. Robert L. Larsen, for the 2009 season will be: Giacomo Puccini's Tosca
Carl Maria von Weber's Der Freischütz
Giaocchino Rossini's The Barber of Seville These three productions follow the successful formula that Dr. Larsen has developed over the last 36 years for a satisfying season of opera: a tragedy, a comedy and one rarely-seen work that will be new to our audiences. Read on for more about each of the operas...
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Tosca
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The year is 1800 and the city of Rome lies in an uneasy political struggle for freedom. In love with the young painter Cavaradossi but desired by the ruthless Chief of Police, Baron Scarpia, the beautiful and tempestuous singer Floria Tosca finds herself caught in a web of love, jealousy and intrigue. Set against the backdrop of history, Puccini's opera combines the pageantry and passion of grand opera with the drama of verismo realism.
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Der Freischütz
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It's been said that without Carl Maria von Weber, there would be no Richard Wagner. In this classic German fairy tale, the young forester Max must win a shooting contest to gain the hand of his beloved Agathe. Will he bargain with his soul to secure glory and love? From the opera's famous overture, to the eerie Wolf's Glen scene, complete with supernatural effects, to its stunning conclusion, you will be swept to the edge of your seat by the unforgettable music and fantastic drama.
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The Barber of Seville
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Rossini's incorrigible Figaro, one of the best-known barbers of all time, is a character made famous by the likes of Plácido Domingo and Bugs Bunny. If you combine Figaro's charm with some of the most memorable tunes ever penned, you get a twisting tale of hilarious intrigue with more than a few missteps along the way to happily-ever-after. When you add the incomparable tenor of John Osborn and the exuberant baritone of John Michael Moore, you get a Barber to remember!
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Renewing Your Season Subscription
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With three great operas slated for next summer, you won't want to waste any time in renewing your season subscription (or becoming a subscriber for the first time!). Current season ticket holders can renew their subscriptions beginning on October 1. That means you can lock in your seats for the 2009 season before anyone else has the opportunity to purchase them! As always, subscribers have a number of benefits, including ticket exchange privileges, that aren't available to single ticket buyers. The renewal period ends and subscriptions go on sale to new season ticket buyers on November 3.
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Getting To Know You: Joan Burke
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by McB Smith As DMMO is kicking off a new season, the three chapters of the Des Moines Metro Opera Guild are also launching into a year of entertaining and informative programs and events. This month I sat down with the Guild's 2008 Volunteer of the Year and past president of the Des Moines chapter, Joan Burke, to learn more about DMMO's Guild. Why is volunteering for DMMO through the Guild important to you?
I have to admit that, in the beginning, my motive for volunteering was rather selfish. When I moved back to Des Moines five years ago after the death of my husband, I knew my mother and that's about it. I thought getting involved with the guild might be a good way to meet people. Little did I know that I would make such lasting friendships and find such a valuable organization to which I could devote my time and energy. I feel that the Guild has done much more for me than I could ever do for it and am happy to serve in any way I can. What sorts of things have you done with the Guild?
The Guild always has interesting and informative monthly meetings. We put on Threads &Trills every year and we present the Opera Previews every spring. But I would have to say that the Guild's fundraisers are the best thing we do. We have had so many different events: Kentucky Derby parties, pool parties, April in Paris parties, St. Patrick's Day parties. The list goes on and on. Why would you encourage others to join the Guild? What are the benefits?
First of all, our Guild members are the best. I have never met a group of more interesting, dynamic and fun people. A common misconception about the Guild is that you have to know a lot about opera. If that were the case, I would have been sent packing a long time ago! Really, the only thing you need to know about opera is that you enjoy it and want to support DMMO by becoming a member. We would love to have you join us! Upon joining the Guild, you are notified of meetings, previews, fundraisers and other opera-related events in the community. Your name will appear in the directory and in the Guild section of the DMMO Festival Season program. You will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to one of our community's greatest assets: Des Moines Metro Opera. If you are interested in joining the DMMO Guild, feel free to drop me an e-mail at joaneo59@aol.com. I would be happy to mail you a membership form. What is your favorite opera? Why?
I would have to say my favorite opera is La Bohème. As an impressionable teenager, I saw a performance on PBS and was hooked. I wanted to live in an attic garret in Paris and fall in love with a poet. Rodolfo was my first love and I have remained faithful ever since. What do you love about opera? What keeps you coming back for more?
I guess my answer to that question would be: What's not to love? The sets, the costumes, the stories, the music--what could be better? And the fact that we have all of this right here in our community is astounding. What was your first opera experience?
It's hard for me to pinpoint a first opera experience. My mom and dad (Russ and Rosanne O'Harra) always had music playing at home. Growing up, my 4 sisters and I were exposed to all kinds of wonderful music. Opera was just one of the many genres of music we listened to. It soaked into my consciousness little by little.
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Keep your eyes peeled for your subscription renewal brochures in the coming weeks and return them to us right away to secure your seats for DMMO's 37th Summer Festival...it's going to be great! We want to hear from you! Are there things you want to learn about next summer's operas? Something you've always wanted to ask about DMMO or about opera in general? Send an email to McB Smith at msmith@dmmo.org with questions, ideas for articles, or stories that you'd like to share.
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