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One of the best-loved operas ever written by the undisputable |
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Turandot was the great Puccini’s last opera, left unfinished at his death and later completed by a younger contemporary using his notes. Knowing it would be his final masterpiece, the opera contains Puccini’s most extraordinary score, reflecting his desire to be forever remembered as a great composer.
story | The beautiful princess Turandot does not want to be dutifully married and controlled by a man, so she cleverly devises three riddles for her suitors. If they dare to attempt to answer them and fail, they are executed. But passion smolders beneath Turandot’s icy pride.
performed in italian with projected english translations.
bass performance hall, fort worth
Highlights
* One of the best-loved operas ever written by the undisputable "king" of opera composers.
* Includes "Nessun Dorma" the aria Pavarotti made famous.
* Elizabeth Bennett is making her professional debut in the demanding title role, opposite Dongwon Shin who is one of the top Calaf's.
* The costumes for the production are from Dallas Opera, and were designed by well known designer Allen Charles Klein.
* Featuring the stranded Chinese troupe, the Guanhua Acrobats from Shanghai! Fort Worth Opera, in cooperation with the Fort Worth Community Arts Center is pleased to present a benefit performance of the Guanhua Acrobats from Shanghai, China.
Based on a novel by Sir Walter Scott, Lucia di Lammermoor is the epitome of romantic opera in spite of its tragic ending. It demands incredible vocal and acting skills from the singers. The wealth of dramatic music makes it appealing to modern musical theatre audiences, as well as the most devoted opera fan.
story | Lucia is on cloud nine; Edgardo has asked her to marry him and she is thrilled at the possibility. Unbeknownst to her, though, her brother has arranged a politically tidy marriage to another man and sets out to make sure it happens, to tragic consequences.
Carlisle Floyd is perhaps the foremost American opera composer. It took him five years and several rewrites to complete Of Mice and Men. Based on John Steinbeck’s classic novel about two migrant arm workers, Carlisle Floyd’s tender adaptation is musically accessible and an unforgettable emotional journey into the human condition.
story | Two poor migrant farm workers, George and his simple-minded friend Lennie, cling to the dream of a farm of their own…a home. When the dream starts to unravel, George must make an agonizing decision as to what is best for Lennie.
Based on Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Angels in America is a moving and astonishing tale of AIDS during the Reagan years. While it gives us a glimpse of the politics and social environment of the time, the raw humanity—at its best and worst—makes Angels a timeless work of art. Produced in conjunction with “More Life: The Art & Science of AIDS.”
story | Prior Walter is a young man whose life both falls apart and comes together in a profound way when he becomes ill with AIDS. His illness sets off a chain of events that impact everyone around him, each dealing with struggles of their own.
performed in english.
scott theater, fort worth
a complimentary voucher to angels in america is included with all friday, saturday and sunday season packages; tickets and guaranteed seating are included in all weekend packages.
contains adult subject matter, parental discretion advised.
Highlights
* Will be only the second time it is produced in the U.S.; but FWOpera will be the first major professional company to have the American stage premiere.
* Costumes are being constructed by the Dallas Theater Center, and the production will be owned by Fort Worth Opera.
* Janice Hall (Governess from Turn of the Screw and Blanche from Dialogues of the Carmelites) returns to Fort Worth for this production.
* Contains electronic music unlike anything else. Has 6 synthesizers played by two keyboardists and the singers wear microphones (VERY unusual in opera) in order to blend with the synthesizers.
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Opera 101
Opera is the only performing art form that is growing in popularity - especially with younger audiences. Why? Opera, like no other entertainment or art form, helps us transcend our ordinary lives and be carried away with unbelievable drama, sights, sounds and emotion.
So, do you have to learn about opera to enjoy it? No, you don’t. But, as with life’s other exquisite pleasures, a little background knowledge can turn “great” into “unforgettable”.
Never been to an Opera? Here's all you need to know:
How do I know which opera to go to?
There are as many different styles of opera as there are styles of movies. And just like Hollywood remakes, the same opera can be performed in different ways. At Fort Worth Opera, we try to give you a good idea of what you’re going to see and what style an opera is, plus we are dedicated to providing a wide variety of styles each and every season. Simply check out our operas under “Season” and if one sounds interesting to you, try it.
Note that it takes many people two or three trips to the opera house to get a good feel of opera – giving up after your first one is like seeing one movie and deciding you don’t like any movies. In fact, you may want to consider purchasing a season ticket – you’ll save money and get a good sampling of operas at the same time.
What do I Wear?
Whatever you want; we have no dress requirements. The largest number of our patrons wear business or “after-five” attire; the others wear everything from jeans to tuxedos (or both). The most important thing is that you be comfortable and enjoy yourself.
Eat, Drink, be Merry.
There are tons of restaurants and fun things to do in downtown Fort Worth. The area is convenient, well-lighted and reasonably safe, and parking is free on evenings and weekends. Some operas can be up to 3 hours long, so we suggest you eat before you come. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time; no food or drink is permitted into Bass Hall.
Getting There, Up or Down.
Be sure to arrive early. As a courtesy to other patrons, we don't seat latecomers until the first intermission (which means you’ll have to watch it on a little monitor in the hall - a total drag). Also, use the restroom beforehand. We strongly discourage - as will the people around you - getting up and down during the performance.
Phones and Other Noise.
Bass Performance Hall has been named one of the top-ten opera houses in the world. The main reason for its fame is the outstanding acoustics. For the singers, this means that every person in the audience will clearly hear their unamplified voice. For you, it means that they will equally hear your unamplified pager, cell phone, candy wrapper and other noise. So, unless you want 2,000 people leaning forward to stare at you, we suggest you shut everything off. (In fact, we suggest it even if you do want 2,000 people staring at you.) If you have a cough, note that we provide cough drops at the entrances of the seating areas for your convenience.
Clapping and Yelling.
Opera singers love to hear appreciation for their work. So do we. Clapping, standing, yelling, and other types of applause are very welcome at the right times. As a general rule, opera patrons clap at the end of each act and after a spectacular song. When in doubt, don't applaud until you hear everyone else doing it.
Should I Bring the Kids?
That depends on the kid. While we do encourage parents to expose their children to opera, mainstage operas are not suitable for young children, who can get restless and make noise. Older children should be left at home if you have any doubts as to their ability to remain quiet during the performance. Older kids and teenagers often enjoy opera, it’s like Classical MTV, only more intense. Before you decide to bring older children or teens to an opera, we recommend you read the synopsis or call the opera office to make sure it’s suitable - many operas contain adult subject matter.
Seize the Educational Moment.
The truth is: you don't have to know a thing about opera to enjoy it. But learning a little of the background behind your opera or listening to the music beforehand will definitely enhance your experience. We suggest attending one of our entertaining - and free – pre-opera talks.
If you really want to widen your horizons, check out Opera for Dummies by David Pogue & Scott Peck (our favorite and we’re not that dumb), which comes with its own CD, or one of many books that tells the stories of various operas. Also, bookstores, online and brick, have a wide variety of opera music to choose from, from entire operas to samplers with different themes.
Our Mission: To educate, entertain, and expand the horizons of current and future audiences and artists through variety and artistic integrity.
Our Passion: To become recognized internationally as an organization that preserves and expands the transcending Art of opera.
Our Story
Over coffee one morning in 1946, Mrs. E L. (Eloise) Snyder and Mrs. August (Betty) Spain, both former opera singers, and Mrs. Jeanne Axtell Walker decided it was time for Fort Worth to launch an opera company of its own.
With the help of hundreds of community volunteers, these ladies pulled off what many thought to be an impossible feat, bringing together all of the necessary elements for a first-class opera production in just seven months. The Fort Worth Civic Opera Association, as it was then called, opened with its first production, La Traviata, on November 25 of that year.
From these inspired beginnings, Fort Worth Opera has continued to provide countless memorable performances. Who could forget the 1962 production of Lucia? Not only did Placido Domingo star in his first major operatic role in America in this production, but Lily Pons also delivered her farewell operatic performance. And, two years later, Beverly Sills’ debut in Galatea left Fort Worth and the world clamoring for more.
In July of 2001, Fort Worth Opera hired a new general director, Darren K. Woods. Darren brought with him energy, enthusiasm, and a vast knowledge of the opera business. The 2002/03 season was Darren’s first at Fort Worth Opera. During that season, the company revamped it’s image with a new logo, new look, new strategic direction, new mission statement and a passion statement to capture the company’s enthusiasm for great opera in Fort Worth.
After 60 years of producing opera over the fall and winter, Fort Worth Opera announced in February of 2006, another change of even greater magnitude: it will condense its entire schedule to an annual spring festival – with all of its operas and concerts being presented over a four week period. The inaugural Fort Worth Opera Festival opened in May, 2007 and featured the company's first main-stage world premiere, Frau Margot, by composer Thomas Pasatieri.
In spite of the company’s progressive moves, it remains one of the 14 oldest opera companies in the entire nation, and the oldest continuously performing opera company in Texas. As of the end of the 2007 Season, the company has produced 219 main-stage operas.
Fort Worth Opera also boasts a highly successful opera education program. The Children’s Opera Tour brings the exciting and colorful world of opera to approximately 100,000 school children each year across the state of Texas. The tour provides the first experience with classical music and drama for many elementary and middle school students. Fort Worth Opera’s other educational and community outreach programs bring an operatic experience to people in every age, ethnic and social group.
Over 500 performers and production personnel are employed by Fort Worth Opera each year. This includes local performing arts groups, such as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet and the Texas Boys Choir. Approximately 85% of Fort Worth Opera’s annual budget is returned to Tarrant County each year.
Contact Us
Tickets & Group Sales
1300 Gendy
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
Phone:(817) 731-0726
or toll free
1-877-FWOPERA
Fax: (817) 731-0835
boxoffice@fwopera.org
Accounting or Finance
(817) 731-0833 ext.17
kholcomb@fwopera.org
Donations & FWOpera
Board of Directors
(817) 731-0833 ext.14
suzy@fwopera.org
Education, Children’s
Programs, & Student
Night at the Opera
(817) 731-0833 ext.19
clyde@fwopera.org
Marketing & Public Relations
(817) 731-0833 ext.18
diane@fwopera.org
McCammon Competition
mccammoncompetition@fwopera.org
General Information & Auditions
(817) 731-0833 ext.12
kwolfe@fwopera.org
Advertising with FWOpera
Peter Harrison
(817) 560-6143
peter.harrison@mmgweb.com
Renting a Production,
Sets or Costumes
(817) 731-0833 ext.11
kurt@fwopera.org
Production
(817) 731-0833 xt 21
kurt@fwopera.org
General Director
Darren Keith Woods
dkwoods@fwopera.org
Music Director
Joe Illick
JIllick@aol.com
Webmistress
Martha Martinez
martha@fwopera.org |
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