Mr. Woods News

Fort Worth Opera (FWOpera) announced today a call for submissions for its second annual Frontiers new works showcase to be held during the 2014 Fort Worth Opera Festival. A pioneering leader in the production of contemporary opera, FWOpera launched Frontiers in the 2012-2013 season. One of the only programs world-wide designed to seek out unproduced works by up-and-coming composers from North, South, and Central America, the showcase provides composers and librettists a platform by which to gain exposure for their pieces in a live performance environment while also affording them valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals, including artistic directors of opera companies, artist managers, classical music publishers, funding organizations, and conductors.

Fort Worth Opera revealed today the names of the composers whose works have been selected for participation in the first season of the company's exciting, annual new works program, Frontiers, making its debut May 6 - 11, 2013. The showcase will present eight unpublished works by composers from the Americas during the last week of the 2013 Opera Festival in the McDavid Studio across from Bass Hall in downtown Fort Worth.

OPERA America, the national nonprofit service organization for opera, has announced that Frayda B. Lindemann, Ph.D. became the first opera company trustee in the organization's entire 42-year history to be elected Chairman of its Board of Directors. Dr. Lindemann began her term at OPERA America's recent Annual Business Meeting - held during Opera Conference 2012 in Philadelphia - where eight new members were also elected to the Board.

Fort Worth Opera (FWOpera) General Director Darren K. Woods today revealed that the company will stage two world premieres as part of its 2014 Festival season.

Lone Star and Laundry are two complementary one-act plays written by James McLure. Though not a native Texan, McLure is known as a premier Texas playwright because he graduated from SMU's theatre department in 1973 and his best-known plays are prized for their precise capture of the feel and character of West Texas. Not to mention the great southern humor running through every page! McLure died in February of this year from cancer. He was 59.

Lone Star and Laundry are two complementary one-act plays written by James McLure. Though not a native Texan, McLure is known as a premier Texas playwright because he graduated from SMU's theatre department in 1973 and his best-known plays are prized for their precise capture of the feel and character of West Texas. Not to mention the great southern humor running through every page! McLure died in February of this year from cancer. He was 59.

On Wednesday, November 18th Chicago Opera Theater's (COT) young professional club Opera Underground will host 'Beers and Baritones' at Rock Bottom Brewery in downtown Chicago. This cocktail hour is a perfect opportunity for Chicago area young professionals to meet up after work to drink, eat, and hear a little music.

On Wednesday, November 18th Chicago Opera Theater's (COT) young professional club Opera Underground will host 'Beers and Baritones' at Rock Bottom Brewery in downtown Chicago. This cocktail hour is a perfect opportunity for Chicago area young professionals to meet up after work to drink, eat, and hear a little music.

OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, is pleased to announce that the contract of its president & CEO, Marc A. Scorca, has been extended through 2016. Anthony Freud, chairman of OPERA America's Board of Directors, announced the news at the organization's Annual Business Meeting, which took place during OPERA America's recent conference in Houston, Texas. During Opera Conference 2009, the Board of Directors also elected two new members to join its ranks: Gregory C. Swinehart and Darren K. Woods.