DMMO - Press Releases

Press Releases

Date: September 13, 2011

Des Moines Metro Opera Names New Executive Director

Indianola, IA – After conducting a nationwide search, the Board of Directors of Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Karol Nickell as the Company’s new Executive Director. Nickell, who succeeds Robert Montana, is the Company’s fourth executive leader.

“Our search committee received applications from many extremely qualified candidates,” says Dr. Bruce Hughes, President of DMMO’s Board, “but Karol won the position. She has successfully lead and grown many creative businesses, has an eye for talent and a passion for music and the performing arts. We’re thrilled to have her join DMMO as we kick-off our celebration of bringing world-class opera to Iowa for 40 years.”

Michael Egel, DMMO’s artistic director, concurs. “The plans for our 40th Anniversary season are taking shape quickly and Karol will play a major role in our achieving the best programming and overall experience for our opera-loving customers. She and I will work hand-in-hand to execute this season’s dream trio of operas, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Puccini’s La Rondine and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, in superb style.”

Nickell comes to DMMO from the publishing industry, having served as Vice President/Editor in Chief at both Meredith Corporation and the Reader's Digest Association. Her non-profit experience includes two terms at Board Director for United Way of America, during which she served as the Board's Treasurer. A native Iowan, Nickell holds two degrees from Iowa State University and currently serves on the Advisory Council for the university's Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.

“I am delighted to be chosen for this important role at DMMO,” says Nickell, “and the timing makes it all the more exciting. Our 40th Anniversary celebration is underway, with the unveiling of the 2012 line-up of operas already increasing the number of season subscriptions we’ve received. Whether attending opera at DMMO’s newly renovated home theater in Indianola would be a first-time experience or a wonderful continuation of a long love affair with opera, this season is definitely one you won’t want to miss.”

Des Moines Metro Opera is one of the oldest and largest Summer Opera Festivals in the country and one of only three such festivals in the Midwest. DMMO is in the top third of all American opera companies by size and draws nearly 40 percent of its ticket buyers from 30 states outside its home state of Iowa; Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska and Kansas lead that list. Opera News, a leading magazine in the industry, reported on DMMO’s 2010 season: “On the balance of artistic evidence presented, Iowa’s operatic oasis happily appears to remain in very healthy estate.”

Nickell joins DMMO at a very important time. As an anniversary year, in addition to its mainstage productions, DMMO has a line-up of events throughout the year including a Wine and Food Showcase in February and a Ruby Ball in April. The 40th Summer Festival will feature Mozart's Don Giovanni, Puccini's La Rondine, and Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, a Company premiere. Nickell's first season as Executive Director will include La Rondine which was the first opera Des Moines Metro ever produced.

For information about the 40th Season’s production or any of DMMO’s upcoming events, visit desmoinesmetroopera.org or call 515-961-6221.