The Des Moines Metro Opera has announced its 2019 Festival featuring three mainstage productions and two second stage series operas.

Michael Egel, General and Artistic Director of the DMMO noted, “Our 2019 season features a bold and exciting combination of titles both familiar and new. Building upon the power of sung stories as they can only be told in Des Moines Metro Opera’s unique playing space, the contrast between the works we have selected is compelling, powerful and thrilling.”

Mainstage

Puccini’s “La Bohème” kicks off the 2019 festival with soprano Julie Adams making her DMMO debut as Mimì. Principal Conductor and Music Director David Neely will lead the production.

Performance Dates: June 28-July 21, 2019

Continuing Bernstein’s celebration “Candide” will be performed with soprano Deanna Breawick, who was last seen at DMMO as Nannetta in 2016’s “Fastaff” and tenor Jonathan Johnson, who will be making his DMMO debut as the titular character. Michael Shell will make his DMMO debut as the stage director for the production.

Performance Dates: June 29-July 20, 2019

Berg’s “Wozzeck” marks the final production of the main stage productions with Michael Mayes making his role debut in the title role. The new production will be led by Music Director and Principal Conductor David Neely and Stage Director Kristine McIntyre.

Performance Dates: July 6-19, 2019

2nd Stage Series

The chamber opera by Tom Cipullo, “Glory Denied,” comes to the stage with baritone Michael Mayes, conductor David Neely, and stage director Kristine McIntyre among those on the artistic team.

Performance Dates: Nov. 16, 17, 18, 2018

The final opera of the season will be Lee Hoiby, Julia Child, and Mark Shulgasser’s “Bon Appetit!”

Performance Dates: July 2019