Dallas Opera Celebrates Puccini In March Mini-Fest

The Dallas Opera presents a month-long mini-fest during the month of March, in celebration of one of the greatest and most influential composers in the history of opera: Giacomo Puccini. Two of Puccini's most important operas will be presented: a semi-staged version of Manon Lescaut, the work that established Puccini as heir to Verdi's mantle, and a fully-staged production of La bohème, the opera that catapulted the composer to the ranks of the immortals. Created just three years apart, both operas overflow with lush, unforgettable melodies and poignant, heart-rending drama.

Manon Lescaut will open for the first of four performances on Friday, March 1, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center (with additional performances on March 3(m), 6 and 9) conducted by Music Director Emmanuel Villaume and directed by Edward Berkeley in his company debut.

La bohème, the Eleanor Ford Penrose Mainstage Production, will open for the first of six performances on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (with additional performances March 17(m) - The Amy and Vernon Faulconer Performance, March 20, 23, 29 & 31(m) in the Winspear) conducted by Guest Conductor Giuliano Carella and staged by director Tomer Zvulun.

The outstanding international casts for these two operas include Kristin Lewis in the title role of Manon Lescaut, Gregory Kunde as Des Grieux, Jean-François Borras as Rodolfo (performances made possible with support from The Charron and Peter Denker Rising Stars Endowment Fund), Pumeza Matshikiza in her American debut as Mimì, Anthony Clark Evans as Marcello, Sara Gartland as Musetta, Musa Ngqungwana as Lescaut, Andrea Silvestrelli as Geronte de Revoir, Will Liverman as Schaunard, Nicholas Brownlee as Colline, Jonas Hacker as Edmondo and the legendary Samuel Ramey (The Greg Swalwell and Terry Connor Featured Soloist) in the dual roles of Benoit/Alcindoro.

Ticket prices start at just $19 and can be purchased conveniently online at www.dallasopera.org or through The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214.443.1000.