Indianapolis Opera to Host DIVINELY DUTCH Ball, 4/20

Indianapolis Opera will celebrate the beauty of the voice at the uber-elegant Indy Opera Ball featuring the recognition of Honorary Junior Committee Chair, Arie Luyendyk Jr. Born of Dutch descent, Luyendyk Jr. is best known for his auto racing career and for participating on ABC's The Bachelorette and The Bachelor. While Luyendyk Jr. will be honored, he will not be in attendance due to prior racing commitments.

This divinely Dutch evening is inspired by the art and beauty of the Netherlands - building on the anticipation for the upcoming opera, The Flying Dutchman. The black-tie Indy Opera Ball will take place Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown and will feature a silent auction and live entertainment and dancing with the Steve Allee Orchestra. Last year's ball raised a record breaking $100,000 to support Indianapolis Opera's education program which reaches 28,000 students annually.

This year's ball is Co-Chaired by local civic leaders and IO Board members, Karen Gentleman and Jamie Gibbs. The National Bank of Indianapolis, Nordstrom, Printing Partners, Monarch Beverage, Bohlsen Group, Wellpoint and the Marriott Indianapolis Downtown are all lending their support as sponsors once again. Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff, LLP will be sponsoring the event for the first time.

Indy Opera Ball - Divinely Dutch: Celebrating the Art & Beauty of the Netherlands is set for April 20, 2013 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, 350 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis, IN. Single tickets are $200, $300 and $500, group tickets (table of 10) are $2,000, $3,000 and $5,000. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.indyopera.org.

Arie Jr. is a 31-year-old professional auto-racing driver and has been racing nearly all his life. He was the first runner-up during the eighth season of ABC's The Bachelorette in 2012 and qualified for his first Indianapolis 500 in 2006. Arie Jr. is the son of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and Indianapolis Motor Speedway speed record holder Arie Luyendyk Sr. Arie Jr. began racing in 1992 in go-karts and progressed through the ranks, competing in various racing series from Formula Ford to USF2000 and the A1GP. He finished runner-up in the points' championship in INDYCAR's Firestone Indy Lights Series where he was also voted INDYCAR's Firestone Indy Lights "Most Popular Driver" four years in a row. In 2007 he represented Team Netherlands in the A1GP Championship and has also competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona in the DP category as well as the 12 Hours of Sebring in the GT class. For more information, visit Arie Luyendyk Jr. online at www.ariejr.com.

About The Flying Dutchman: The legend of a ghostly ship and a cursed sea captain doomed to wander the ocean for all of eternity, in search of true love - his only chance of redemption. A beautiful young heroine, desperate to escape her restricting world, brings salvation when she abandons her life to prove her love for the captain. Wagner's most popular and romantic opera comes to life in a new production designed by Artist in Residence Joachim Schamberger. Featuring an all-star cast and the celebrated Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra led by James Caraher.

For more information, visit www.indyopera.org.

A combination of grand and modern operas will be performed during Indianapolis Opera's 37th season, at both Clowes Memorial Hall and the Frank and Katrina Basile Opera Center. From Akhnaten, a new partnership with the Indiana University Opera and Ballet Theater, to Amahl and the Night Visitors, a new holiday tradition, to the eerie story of The Flying Dutchman, this season's lineup offers something for everyone. Akhnaten and Amahl and the Night Visitors, both 20th century operas, provide viewers a glimpse of performances composed in both the past and present, in comparison to 19th century The Flying Dutchman. Indianapolis Opera is also announcing a new strategic partnership with the Indiana University Opera and Ballet Theater. Additionally, IO has recently appointed stage director and designer Joachim Schamberger as an Affiliate Artist for the 2012-2013 season. Tickets will be reduced in price this season. Season subscribers will also receive 20 percent off of additional tickets and other conveniences.

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