Opera Singing Countertenor John Holiday Rocks "The Voice"

High-soaring vocals ripped through the air of NBC's The Voice competition when countertenor John Holiday performed the Ella Fitzgerald hit "Misty." Pop star John Legend was the first to turn his chair within a few measures of the tune. Before COVID-19 cancellations, the young singer was to make his Metropolitan Opera debut this season and perform with Dallas Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Utah Opera, and the San Francisco Symphony. To learn more about this Texas native, click here.

Latonia Moore Set To Return To Ozarks For Opera Gala

The soprano costumed by Peter J. Hall for Aida
at the Dallas Opera in 2012 (Photo: Daylon Walton)

"Opera in the Ozarks, a nationally acclaimed training ground for emerging opera professionals, proudly presents its summer Gala Concert featuring star alumni of the program and the exceptional operatic voices of tomorrow. The special concert is a tribute to Jim Swiggart, Opera in the Ozarks’ longtime General Director who is now General Director Emeritus. Metropolitan Opera artist Latonia Moore is headlining the show along with American tenor Joel Burcham. Both are Opera in the Ozarks alumni. The Gala Concert will be held on Sunday, July 13, at 4 p.m. at Bentonville’s Arend Arts Center (1901 S.E. J Street). There is a silent auction scheduled for 3 p.m. with a reception following the concert. Tickets are $27, on sale now at opera.org. The Gala Concert features Moore and Burcham in scenes and arias from Bizet’s Carmen, Ponchielli’s La Gioconda, Massenet’s Hérodiade and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin accompanied by the Opera in the Ozarks Orchestra. The entire Opera in the Ozarks’ company comes together as the chorus for extended excerpts from Mascagni’s passionate Cavalleria rusticana. And, the majestic final scene from Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg has been adapted as a tribute to Swiggart." [Source]

The Dallas Opera Appoints Ian Derrer As Artistic Administrator

"In the wake of Jonathan Pell’s decision to step down after thirty years of distinguished service to The Dallas Opera, General Director & CEO Keith Cerny is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Artistic Administrator, Ian Derrer....Mr. Derrer grew up in North Carolina and, in 1996, completed a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU. He then worked as a freelance Assistant Director and Stage Manager for Santa Fe Opera, The Atlanta Opera, Opera Carolina, Opera Pacific, and Washington Opera. From 1999-2005 he completed Masters Degrees in Opera Production, Voice, and Performing Arts Management from Northwestern University and Brooklyn College. During the summers of 2001-2003 he was also the Scheduling Coordinator for the International Institute of Vocal Arts in Chiari, Italy. Afterwards, he served as Rehearsal & Music Coordinator for the New York City Opera (2004-2006). Mr. Derrer also has invaluable experience in the field of orchestra and artist management. Immediately prior to joining the Dallas Opera, Ian held multiple positions at the Lyric Opera of Chicago (2006-2014), including Head of the Rehearsal Department, Rehearsal Administrator, and Director of Production, while, also, making time to serve as Rehearsal Director for Santa Fe Opera during the summer of 2012." [Source]

Duke of Mantua Does Crossfit: Stephen Costello And James Valenti

Stephen Costello (left) at Houston Grand Opera and James Valenti (right) at Dallas Opera, share the same Peter J. Hall-designed robe as the Duke of Mantua in Michael Yeargan's production of Rigoletto that was shared by the two companies. It's clear both tenors get gym time into their schedule to be as healthy as possible for the athletic sport of singing.

Susan Graham Receives Prestigious Maria Callas Award in Dallas

The winning mezzo-soprano striking
a very Maria Callas-esque pose.

"The Dallas Opera has announced the result of this year's balloting for the 2013 'Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year Award': American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, who made an unforgettable Dallas Opera stage debut in the Winspear just a few short weeks ago. This prestigious award is given to a single performer each season to honor a particularly memorable and outstanding company debut. The selection of Miss Graham, who amazed audiences with her exceptional vocal qualities and powerfully moving portrayal of the inexperienced Tina in Dominick Argento's The Aspern Papers, was announced earlier this evening at the annual Board and Trustee Appreciation Dinner, sponsored by Sentient Jet and held in the Crescent Ballroom of the Rosewood Crescent Hotel." [Source]

ABC's "GCB" Brings the Dallas Opera Into Gigi's Living Room

In season 1 episode 4, character Gigi Stopper, played by Annie Potts, throws a party for some old friends with the theme of everyone coming as their favorite Texan. Who better to provide the costumes than the Dallas Opera? In turn Gigi will be providing the funds to ensure that the upcoming production of Aida will have live elephants. Guest stars include Bruce Boxleitner and Donna Mills (as Barbara Bush in the above photo). Watch the full episode here.

Keith Cerny Increases Exposure For The Dallas Opera

The man leading the charge: Keith Cerny.

"The Dallas Opera will present the second 'General Director's Roundtable,' a timely and in-depth discussion of issues affecting opera, contemporary audiences, and the greater performing arts community today. The brainchild of Dallas Opera General Director & CEO Keith Cerny, this series seeks to bring together the most knowledgeable voices in their fields, both local and national, in a genuine quest for answers. The topic of our second roundtable is 'Collaboration in the Arts,' once again presented in partnership with D magazine and moderated by D magazine Arts Editor Peter Simek. The panelists, in addition to the multifaceted Mr. Cerny who hosts these events, will include the dynamic and critically acclaimed artistic director of the Dallas Theater Center, Kevin Moriarty, and the recently appointed general director of Opera Company of Philadelphia, David DeVan, who has been raising the profile of the OCP for the past six years. All

Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition Semi-Finalists Named

The Texas organization has announced twenty-one semi-finalists in their 23rd annual competition that will have its final judging on Saturday, May 14, 2011, in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Some past winner alumni of the competition include Latonia Moore, Jesus Garcia, Clifton Forbis, Takesha Meshé Kizart and Jennifer Black. The judges this year include Daniel Biaggi (General Director of Palm Beach Opera), Andreas "Andy" Melinat (Director of Artistic Administration, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Christina C. Scheppelmann (Director of Artistic Operations, Washington National Opera), Joshua Winograde (Artistic Administrator, Los Angeles Opera and Director of the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program) and Jonathn Pell (Artistic Director, The Dallas Opera). In previous years the competition has administered as much as $19,000 in prize money. The event is free to the public. [Source]

The full list of semi-finalists is after the jump.

James Valenti and Laura Claycomb Are Dallas Opera Stars

"Laura Claycomb (Gilda) is a highly acclaimed soprano long overdue on the Dallas stage. An operatic moment that Rigoletto fans look forward to is Gilda’s coloratura trills send high notes flying to Mount Everest heights without the arduous climb. The love song 'Caro Nome (Sweet name)' shows off Claycomb's amazing lyrical vocal abilities with pure high notes effortlessly placed with a light airiness.

 Tenor James Valenti (the Duke of Mantua) is not only a rising international opera star, he is also has striking leading man looks. His Duke of Mantua is a believable scoundrel as exemplified in the famous song 'La donna é mobile.'" [Source]

Photos: Michael L. Haynes