The Dallas Opera Commissions New Work, GREAT SCOTT, by Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally

The Dallas Opera today announced the commissioning of a new, full-length opera by acclaimed American composer Jake Heggie (Moby-Dick) and the Tony Award-winning playwright/librettist Terrence McNally (Master Class) in their first joint project since the groundbreaking masterpiece, Dead Man Walking.

The new commission, with generous underwriting support from The Eugene McDermott Foundation and The Hoblitzelle Foundation, is slated to open the Dallas Opera’s 2015-2016 Season: Friday, October 30, 2015 in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. 

The new work, GREAT SCOTT, is based on an original story by Mr. McNally and will star legendary American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.  The opera will be conducted by one of the fastest-rising young artists on the podium today: Maestro Evan Rogister.

Composer Jake Heggie was on-hand in Dallas for the on-stage announcement this evening, made by Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny and Artistic Director Jonathan Pell (with help, via a pre-recorded message, from mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato).  The announcement came as the highlight of a special donor event marking the release of a new Dallas Opera Moby-Dick CD of excerpts, recorded live with the critically acclaimed original cast during the exciting 2010 world premiere production.  This CD is now available exclusively to TDO donors and renewing Dallas Opera subscribers (certain restrictions apply).

Dallas Awards - Live Stats

Best Musical - Top 3

1. BIG FISH (Texas Music Theatre Company)

7.6% of votes

2. SCROOGE THE MUSICAL (North Texas Performing Arts)

6% of votes

3. RENT (Grand Prairie Arts Council)

4.5% of votes

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