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Record Attendance at "The Marriage of Figaro" Simulcast


Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org

Or Celeste Hart 214.443.1071 celeste.hart@dallasopera.org

 

 

THE DALLAS OPERA IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE

A Crowd of 7,000

ATTENDED THE OCTOBER 24TH KLYDE WARREN PARK SIMULCAST OF MOZART’S “THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO” LIVE FROM THE MARGOT AND BILL WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE

AT THE AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

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TDO SIMULCAST PROGRAM TOPS 50,000!

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THOUSANDS—WITH KIDS, PETS AND PICNICS—EXPERIENCED MOZART BY STARLIGHT ON A PICTURE-PERFECT NIGHT IN ONE OF THE CITY’S MOST POPULAR OUTDOOR DESTINATIONS

OCTOBER 28, 2014 —The Dallas Opera is thrilled to announce that last Friday evening’s live simulcast of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro in Klyde Warren Park, the company’s ninth simulcast in four years, attracted a record-breaking crowd for any Dallas Opera performance outside a sports stadium.

“Our official estimate,” explained Tara Green, President, Klyde Warren Park, “puts the attendance on October 24, 2014 at approximately seven thousand, making this the second-largest crowd ever recorded in the park’s history.  The Dallas Opera’s superb production of The Marriage of Figaro not only drew people to this wonderful park to sit with loved ones beneath the stars and the city lights in anticipation of a terrific performance—it kept them engaged throughout the evening—proving once again the power of  ‘marrying’ great art to great public spaces like this one.”

“I couldn’t be more delighted with the huge demonstration of public interest in our Opening Night Simulcast,” remarked Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny

“We hoped this brilliant classic opera with its phenomenal ensemble cast would generate the kind of interest we saw at last year’s season opener in Klyde Warren Park.  In retrospect, however, it appears we underestimated the magnetism of Mozart.  Our analysis of initial data indicates this Dallas Opera park simulcast managed to attract the youngest, most ethnically diverse audience ever to experience one of our mainstage performances—in any setting. 

“It was a genuine community event,” Cerny added, “in the very best sense of the word, and I find that both humbling and deeply gratifying.”

The evening marked another major milestone: The Dallas Opera’s Public Simulcast Program surpassed 50,000 in total attendance, as it continues to attract audiences from across North Texas.

“It was an altogether remarkable night of music,” said Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, “that made an exceptional opera more fully accessible to everyone.  The entire city, young and old, rich or poor, was invited to experience Beaumarchais’ timeless characters and Mozart’s incomparable genius—and the people came, filling both the Winspear Opera House and Klyde Warren Park.

‘I have never seen the company’s vision for community outreach and inclusion more perfectly realized than it was last Friday evening through a performance that proclaimed one simple truth: ‘all patrons are created equal.’  It’s an idea that, no doubt, would have received the hearty approval of those who created this revolutionary 18th century masterpiece.”

“During Friday night's grand opening performance,” Stage Director Kevin Moriarty (Artistic Director of the Dallas Theater Center) revealed: “I snuck out of the theater in the second act to visit the park. I was amazed at what I saw: a massive, diverse crowd, inspiring in its friendliness, rapt attention and joyful energy.

“I'm certain that if they were alive today, Mozart, Da Ponte and Beaumarchais would agree with me that this event confirmed the rightful place of the arts as a cultural birthright of all citizens in a great democracy,” adding, “It was a highlight in a night filled with joyful, triumphant moments.”

Last year’s Klyde Warren Park Dallas Opera Simulcast (Carmen) drew just under 4,000.

This year, park patrons were entertained by a classic 1945 Three Stooges short, “Micro-phonies” in which Curly impersonates an Italian diva, prior to the live simulcast, in addition to a “Worst Bridesmaid’s Dress EVER!” contest, and bouquet tosses for assorted prizes.

Underwritten by the Sheila and Jody Grant Opera Discovery Program, additional support was provided by the AT&T Performing Arts Center, celebrating the second anniversary of Klyde Warren Park, and Chase.   

Radio personality Jody Dean and Dr. Stephen Dubberly of UNT’s Opera Program delighted the park crowd with trivia, musical interludes and running commentary.

Performances of The Marriage of Figaro will continue on October 29, November 1, 7 & 9(m), 2014 in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, selected by Southern Living as the best new venue for opera.  All evening performances will begin promptly at 7:30 PM.  Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 PM. 

Dallas Morning News Classical Music Critic Scott Cantrell wrote: “A splendidly sung and played Marriage of Figaro on Friday night was a fine season opener for the Dallas Opera…you’d be hard pressed anywhere to hear more consistently satisfying singing. Even ensembles were remarkably taut.”

David Weuste of Opera Pulse praised the production for “one of the strongest casts in recent memory.”

And Zachariah Stoughton of Theater Jones added: “It was in some ways a relief to hear and see this work performed so ideally.”

A free pre-performance lecture (“The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talks”) will be conducted one hour prior to curtain at most performances.

Flex subscriptions begin at $75 for the 2014-2015 Season, with full subscriptions starting at $95. Single tickets are also available and start at $19. Contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214-443-1000 or purchase online, 24/7 at www.dallasopera.org.

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