DMMO's 2010 Calendars Now Available

Order your calendars for 2010 now and enjoy beautiful images from DMMO productions throughout the year! Our calendar features a different photograph on each month, with room to write down your important appointments. They are just $15 each and make great gifts!

Contact McB McManus at (515) 961-6221 to order your calendars or other DMMO souvenirs today!

Blank Performing Arts Center Renovation Update

DMMO is commited to Simpson College's expansion project of the theater building. DMMO's support will be used to purchase a new lighting system for the theater. This new lighting system will ultimately save the Company tens of thousands of dollars each season as we eliminate the need to rent expensive lighting instruments to achieve the needs of three full-scale opera productions. The lighting system will be installed and the building's wiring will be updated before the 2010 opera season as the first step of Phase I of the renovation plans.

The good news is that DMMO has raised over $72,000 toward the lighting project which is projected to cost between $250,000 and $350,000. To learn more about how you can get involved in this project, contact Robert Montana at (515) 961-6221.

Stay tuned to OPERAzzi for more updates on the renovation project as we learn details!

September 2, 2009

In This Issue:

• DMMO's Guild Chapters Plan to Hit the Ground Running
• Learn More About Opera
• 2010 Season Tickets

DMMO's Guild Chapters Plan to Hit the Ground Running

The officers of DMMO's three Guild Chapters (Ames, Des Moines and Indianola) are hard at work planning for a great year of programs, lectures and social events that you won't want to miss! There will be lots of opportunities to get to know other opera fans in your area while having fun and learning about the original multi-media art form. Memberships are a great bargain at just $10 for students, $25 for individuals and $40 for families.

If you aren't a member, click here to download a membership form. (If you are a renewing member, please fill out a membership form to help us keep our records current!)

Here are the plans for September's Kick-Off events:

• Ames--Overture Potluck Dinner on Sunday, September 13
  Join members of the Ames Chapter at the Greater Iowa Credit Union at 2623 Northridge Parkway in Ames to launch the 38th Festival Season with a potluck dinner. Appetizers will start at 5 pm and dinner will follow at 6 pm.
• Des Moines--Live Music, Nibbles and Drinks on Monday, September 14
  The Des Moines Chapter is excited to welcome you to DMMO's 38th Festival Season at West End Architectural Salvage at 22 SW 9th Street in Des Moines for an evening of good food, good wine and good friends from 7 to 9 pm.
• Indianola--Appetizers and Wine on Sunday, September 27
  The Indianola Chapter is excited to kick off the 38th Festival Season at the home of Bob and Ardene Downing with wine, appetizers and friends, old and new! Join us from 5 to 7 pm.

Learn More About Opera

There are many ways to further your knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of opera during the fall and winter months!

• You could become a member of the DMMO Guild and attend the various educational and social programs that are planned. The three Guild Chapters offer a variety of events that are geared toward providing members opportunities to learn more, support this magnificent art form and get to know other opera lovers in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
• You could take a class such as "What Makes an Opera" taught by DMMO's very own Michael Egel and offered by the Senior College of Greater Des Moines. The class will meet on Tuesdays, from 10 am to noon, beginning on September 15 and running through October 6. All aspects of opera will be covered – music, production and development. The cost is just $48. To register, call (515) 244-0631 or visit www.myseniorcollege.com.
• You could read a book, watch a movie or listen to classic recordings. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
  • That's Opera: 200 Years of Italian Music Gabriele Dotto, editor, Prestel International. A survey of opera history focusing on Italian opera. The authors were granted access to the archives of Casa Ricordi, the most important publisher of Italian opera.
  • Mozart's Operas: A Companion, Mary Hunter, Yale University Press. An overview of Mozart's operas, including a synopsis, background information and commentary on each work.

2010 Season Tickets

Current DMMO season ticket holders can renew their subscriptions beginning on 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 The Marriage of Figaro, Macbeth and Susannah on their preferred dates.

Watch your mail during the last week of September for your renewal notice or during the last week of October for subscription information. If you have any questions, you can contact Box Office Manager Dennis Hendrickson at (515) 961-6221.