The Dallas Opera to Host 2016-17 Season Kick-Off, FIRST NIGHT

Celebrating its dazzling 60th Season, The Dallas Opera presents FIRST NIGHT-part of the magnificent kick-off of the 2016-2017 Season.

Devoted philanthropists Ellen and Don Winspear chair the festivities and Joyce and Harvey Mitchell are Honorary Chairs. The Presenting Sponsor is Deutsche Bank Wealth Management.

Patrons will be immersed in the celebrity treatment with a red carpet entrance outside the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House on Friday, October 28, 2016 beginning at 5:30 p.m. A lovely tent in Sammons Park is the setting for the elegant Pre-Performance Dinner which starts at 6:00 p.m. Creative culinary genius Wolfgang Puck will cater the event which is chaired by Matrice Ellis-Kirk and Ambassador Ron Kirk.

The Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin begins at 8:00 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House.

The celebrations continue with the FIRST NIGHT After Party with the cast from 11:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The dancing and dining with the principal performers of Eugene Onegin is sure to be a highlight of the kick-off events!

The Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House is located in the heart of the Arts District at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201.

"Don and I are extremely honored to chair this year's season opening events. Both of our parents were so deeply involved with the opera, we see this as a way to honor them in addition to the entire opera family who have made the past 60 years possible, said Ellen Winspear.

"Sixty years is a tremendous milestone for The Dallas Opera! The growth of this company, from Maria Callas' 1957 inaugural concert to current day when we beam our productions around the globe by satellite, is a testimony to the innovation we have experienced and our dedication to ensuring that opera remains appealing and relevant," added Don Winspear.

"We certainly have much to celebrate as we begin our 60th Season! Not only are we proud to present a diverse group of classic and lesser-known operas this season, but we are honored to reflect on all the success of the previous decades. It is also a unique opportunity to express our thanks to our many dedicated patrons and sponsors who have supported this company throughout the years. It is through their commitment to this magnificent art form that we continue to bring the experience of international caliber opera to North Texas. Please join us!" explains Keith Cerny, the Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO for The Dallas Opera."

The ambiance of the black-tie Pre-Performance Dinner will be inspired by the opera Eugene Onegin, and catered by Wolfgang Puck. Tables for the dinner range from $25,000 to $7,500 with individual tickets available for $1,000. All dinner tickets include After Party tickets. Please visit www.dallasopera.org/firstnight to purchase tickets.

"Deutsche Bank has always been an engaged partner in support of the arts community in Dallas," said Mark LaRoe, Head of Dallas Private Bank office Deutsche Bank Wealth Management. "On a personal note, FIRST NIGHT at The Dallas Opera is one of the highlights of the year for Dianne and me."

In Tchaikovsky's lush opera, Eugene Onegin, innocence and passion collide. Set in 19th century Russia, a naïve young country girl becomes smitten with an aristocrat, Onegin. Tatyana (soprano Svetlana Aksenova) confesses her love in a letter to the arrogant Onegin (baritone Andrei Bondarenko) who rejects her affections. Pride and jealousy lead to a confrontation between Onegin and his friend Lensky (Stephen Costello), who is in love with Tatyana's sister Olga (Kai Rüütel), resulting in a fatal duel. Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume will lead The Dallas Opera Orchestra in this beautiful Israeli Opera production.

Performances will continue on October 30(m), November 2 and 5, 2016 in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House. All evening performances (other than the Opening Night of the Season) will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. A free, pre-performance lecture ("The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talks") will be conducted one hour prior to curtain at most performances.

The After Party offers a fun opportunity to mingle with the incredible performers of Eugene Onegin while enjoying the fabulous entertainment of the Hunter Sullivan Big Band. A very popular group in Dallas, it specializes in danceable Big Band classics. The fete also features delectable noshes, desserts, coffee and specialty cocktails by Wolfgang Puck Sweet & Savory.

IF YOU GO:

2016-2017 FIRST SIGHT/FIRST NIGHT

Presented by The Dallas Opera

FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and Luncheon

NorthPark Center Presenting Sponsor

Thursday, October 27, 2016

11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Kick-Off Event for 60 Year Celebration

Chairs: Ellen and Don Winspear

Honorary Chairs: Joyce and Harvey Mitchell

Luncheon Chairs: Tiffany Divis, Kara Goss, Rhonda Marcus

Featuring: Fashions by Italian Luxury Brand Versace

Catering: Wolfgang Puck

Location: Winspear Opera House

Tickets: Start at $300

www.dallasopera.org/firstsight

FIRST NIGHT

Deutsche Bank Wealth Management Presenting Sponsor

Pre-Performance Dinner and After Party

Friday, October 28, 2016

5:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Celebrating the 60th Year of The Dallas Opera

Chairs: Ellen and Don Winspear

Honorary Chairs: Joyce and Harvey Mitchell

First Night Dinner Chairs: Matrice Ellis-Kirk, Ambassador Ron Kirk

Featuring: Red carpet glamour; gourmet black tie dinner prior to the Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance of Eugene Onegin

Location: Sammons Park in Front of the Winspear Opera House - Tent

Catering: Wolfgang Puck

Tickets start at $1000

www.dallasopera.org/firstnight

AFTER PARTY

Friday, October 28, 2016; 11:00 pm to 1:30 am

Location: Sammons Park in Front of the Winspear Opera House - Tent

Featuring: The Hunter Sullivan Big Band

Catering: Wolfgang Puck Sweet & Savory, Open Bar

Tickets: Included with First Night Ticket Purchase

Season subscriptions are on sale and prices start at $95 for all five opera productions. The benefits of becoming a Dallas Opera subscriber include substantial savings off single ticket prices, priority seating, lost ticket replacement, ticket exchanges and invitations to special events. For more information, contact the friendly staff in The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214-443-1000 or visit us online at www.dallasopera.org.

Pictured: Erika and Frank Winspear, Don and Ellen Winspear, Ryan and Catherine Winspear (FIRST NIGHT 2015). Photo by Lara Bierner.