René Barbera, Elena Villalón, Lucas Meachem, Yaritza Véliz, Madison Leonard Among Headliners of The Dallas Opera’s 2025 Streaming Slate

The Dallas Opera has announced its streaming slate of recent productions. The company had previously announced a slate of operas to stream this summer, mainly those from its 2024-25 season. First up is the October 2022 production of “Rigoletto” starring George Gagnidze in the title role, Madison Leonard as his daughter Gilda, and René Barbera as the Duke of Mantua. {…}

Mar 10, 2025

Kayla Nanto Wins The Dallas Opera’s Lone Star Vocal Competition

(Photo by Curtis Brown) Mezzo-soprano Kayla Nanto has won the first prize at The Dallas Opera’s Lone Star Vocal Competition. She also took home the Jonathan Pell People’s Choice. The mezzo will now automatically advance to the final round of the 2026 National Vocal Competition. She has performed with Santa Fe Opera, Opera Montana, Pensacola Opera, Painted Sky Opera, Fort {…}

Feb 12, 2025

The Dallas Opera Reveals 10 Finalists for 2025 Lone Star Vocal Competition

The Dallas Opera has announced the 10 finalists for its 2025 Lone Star Vocal Competition. The finalists include soprano Amelia Burshe, bass-baritone Sam Dhobhany, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Doche, mezzo-soprano Joanne Evans, mezzo-soprano Ani Kushyan, mezzo-soprano Kayla Nanto, baritone Michael Pandolfo, soprano Ardeen Pierre, and soprano Laura Corina Sanders. The 10 will perform on March 7, 2025, at the Winspear Opera House {…}

Oct 29, 2024

The Dallas Opera Reveals Two Cast Changes for ‘Pelléas et Mélisande’

The Dallas Opera has announced a series of cast changes for tis upcoming “Pelléas et Mélisande” production. The company revealed that Edward Nelson would take on the role of Pelléas instead of Benjamin Appl, who withdrew due to family reasons. This is Nelson debut with the company. Additionally, Benjamin Bjorklund will take on the role of Ynold, taking over for {…}

Aug 13, 2024

The Dallas Opera Announces 2024-25 Participants for Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors

The Dallas Opera has announced the selection of the 2024-25 participants in the Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors. This season the conductors selected are Jiannan Cheng (China), Virginie Déjos (France), Anna Castro Grinstein (Spain/Argentina), and CJ Wu (Taiwan). The musicians were chosen from a worldwide applicant pool of 94 conductors, the second largest group since the program’s {…}

Jun 15, 2024

Long Long Wins The Dallas Opera’s ‘Maria Callas Debut Artist Award’ As Company Unveils Season Honors

The Dallas Opera has announced that tenor Long Long is the recipient of the 2023-24 Maria Callas Debut Artist Award. The tenor debuted in “Roméo et Juliette” this season. “Words can’t express how excited and touched I am to receive this precious award,” said Long Long in an official press release. “It’s a great honor for me and a significant {…}

Jun 5, 2024

The Dallas Opera to Broadcast All Four Mainstage Operas of 2023-24 Season on WRR 101.1

The Dallas Opera and WRR 101.1FM have announced that they will partner again this year to broadcast the four mainstage productions from TDO’s 2023/2024 Season on the Concert Hall program. The series will begin on July 22 with “Tosca” starring Ewa Płonka as Tosca, Jonathan Burton as Cavaradossi, and Gihoon Kim as Scarpia. Then on On August 12, “The Diving {…}

Apr 4, 2024

The Dallas Opera Announces New Chrous Director & Head of Music

The Dallas Opera has announced the appointment of Paolo Bressan as its next Chorus Director and Head of Music beginning with the 2024-25 Season. Bressan has been an associate conductor with TDO since 2015, and this season conducted Family performances of Pépito and the National Vocal Competition. He also served as assistant conductor for this season’s productions of “Tosca,” “The {…}

Mar 21, 2024

Patricia Racette, Lucas Meachem, Marjorie Owens, Nicholas Brownlee Headline The Dallas Opera’s 2024 Streaming Slate

The Dallas Opera has announced that it will be releasing free digital streams of its recent productions over the course of the next six months. First up is “Rigoletto” from 2022, directed by Tomer Zvulun and starring George Gagnidze, Madison Leonard, and René Barbera. Emmanuel Villaume conducts. Streaming Dates: April 1 – May 31, 2024 Then comes “Hansel and Gretel,” also {…}

Mar 10, 2024

Navasard Hakobyan Wins The Dallas Opera’s National Vocal Competition 2024

The Dallas Opera has announced the winners of its National Vocal Competition. Taking home first place was baritone Navasard Hakobyan. The Armenian singer is a second-year artists of Houston Grand Opera’s Butler Studio and won first prize at the 2022 Eleanor McCollum Competition Concert of Arias. He has performed at the Houston Grand Opera in “Madama Butterfly,” “La Traviata,” and {…}

Feb 29, 2024

Xabier Anduaga, Benjamin Appl, Madison Leonard & Yaritza Véliz Lead The Dallas Opera’s 2024-25 Season

The Dallas Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. Mainstage Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “La Traviata” featuring Chilean soprano Yaritza Véliz, Spanish tenor Xabier Anduaga, and baritone Alfredo Daza. Louisa Muller directs and Iván López Reynoso conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. 18-27, 2024 Claude Debussy’s “Pelléas and Mélisande” will be conducted by Ludovic Morlot and will star Benjamin Appl, Lauren {…}