The Stage Managers of the Des Moines Metro Opera have unionized and joined the American Guild of Musical Artists. Per an official press statement from AGMA, the Des Moines Metro Opera agreed to recognize the union following an official card check on June 3 conducted by a neutral third party over Zoom. AGMA will now be the exclusive bargaining representative {…}
The Des Moines Metro Opera has named Dr. Naomi André as its Fellow-in-Residence. The Fellow-in-Residence will create, participate in, and lead podcasts, conversations, and events centered around her research on opera, gender, voice, and race. André, who received her B.A. in Music from Barnard College and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Musicology from Harvard University, is the author of “Black {…}
(Credit: Karli Cadel Photography) Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) has announced that Allen Perriello has been named to the position of Director of Artistic Administration for the company beginning Feb. 16, 2022. Most recently, Perriello was the Head of Music at Minnesota Opera. Simultaneously, he was the Director of the Young Artists Program at The Glimmerglass Festival, overseeing the auditioning, {…}
Des Moines Metro Opera in Iowa has announced its 50th anniversary season. It kicks off with Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” in a production directed by Suzanne Andrade and Barrie Kosky. The work will star Aaron Blake, Audrey Luna, Andrew Wilkowske, and John Robert Lindsey. Performance Dates: March 5 & 6, 2022 Next up is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in a {…}
Des Moines Opera has announced the commission of an expanded version of Damien Geter and Lila Palmer’s opera “American Apollo.” Originally commissioned by Washington National Opera for its 2020-21 season, the full-length work will see its world premiere in 2024, where it will be presented in partnership with Pyramid Theatre Company and the Des Moines Art Center. The opera centers {…}
Nix and Virginia Lauridsen donated $2 million to the Des Moines Metro Opera Foundation, in support of the company’s production “The Magic Flute.” “This is no ordinary ‘Magic Flute’ and Nix and Virginia Lauridsen are visionary philanthropists, transforming our region through leadership support. They understand the value of a vibrant Arts and Culture sector to our community,” said Michael Egel, {…}
Des Moines Metro Opera has received a generous gift from Frank R. Brownell III worth $1 million. The gift was received in support of the opera company’s Apprentice Artist Program for young singers. Notable alumni of the program, which was started in 1975, include Hei-Kyung Hong, Marquita Lister, John Osborn, Kyle Ketelson, Raymond Aceto, Daniela Mack, Brian Jagde, Dmitri Pittas, {…}
Des Moines Metro Opera has announced that it will world premiere “A Thousand Acres,” an opera by composer Kristin Kuster and librettist Mark Campbell. The opera will be premiered on July 9, 2022, and will be made possible thanks to a $1.5 million gift from Linda and Tom Koehn. “We are honored to represent the breadth of support for Des {…}
The Des Moines Metro Opera has announced its 2021 summer festival which will run between July 2 and 25. The company announced that its new season was developed in conjunction with the Medical Advisory Panel and that all 225 company members completed a COVID-19 vaccination series prior to their arrival for the festival. Additionally, all audience members will be required {…}
Des Moines Metro Opera has unveiled that its own Virtual Opera Curriculum to teachers, parents, and schools around the country free of charge. The program, an online music education series, teaches students the basics of opera and culminates with a professional, filmed performance of the children’s opera “Rusalka: The Little Mermaid,” which is adapted from Dvorak’s iconic “Rusalka.” “Rusalka: The {…}
Star of opera and Broadway, Zachary James, will tread the virtual boards when Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) presents “Zachary James on Broadway” on March 19 at 7:30 P.M. CST. James will perform his award-winning one-man show with Broadway pianist Charity Wicks as a continuation of DMMO’s Virtual Concert Series The program includes popular Broadway numbers mixed with stories from {…}