TARGET FREE OPERA IN THE OUTFIELD Held At Nationals Park 9/19

Washington National Opera (WNO) today announced the third-annual Target FREE Opera in the Outfield, a free, live opera broadcast at Nationals Park. This year's simulcast, Verdi's dramatic opera A Masked Ball (Un Ballo in Maschera), will take place on the afternoon of Sunday, September 19, 2010, and is expected to attract up to 20,000 people for free opera and "pre-game" activities in the festive ballpark atmosphere. New this year, "fans" are invited to enter the "Take Me Out to the Opera" Songwriting Contest, penning original, opera-inspired lyrics for a chance to have their song performed live, and to win exclusive prize packages. An event summary is below, and patrons may visit www.OperaintheOutfield.org to learn more and register for free reserved seating.

"Our free simulcasts are Washington National Opera's gift to the city and to the public, in great thanks for all their support," stated Plácido Domingo, General Director of Washington National Opera. "I am especially grateful that our sponsors-Target, MARS Corporation, the Washington Nationals, ABC7/WJLA-TV, Metro (WMATA) and others-have once again made this free community event possible. I invite the entire city to join us for what I know will be a very special afternoon!"

"Fans" are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a ballpark atmosphere, complete with concessions, kid-friendly activities and prizes. Seating will be available throughout the Park, including on the outfield and in the stands.

"Pre-game" and intermission activities include a t-shirt toss, photo-ops with Nationals mascot Screech and a Mars M&M character, and a picnic contest sponsored by ABC7/WJLA-TV. Prizes, giveaways and raffle items will include opera ticket packages, baseball tickets and Target gift cards. New this year is the
Family Fun Zone, featuring activities for children, including mask-making, a playground, and a costume trunk. ABC7/WJLA-TV news anchor and Emmy award-winner Cynné Simpson will emcee the event.

This year, the "Take Me Out to the Opera" Songwriting Contest will offer entrants the chance to re-write opera-inspired lyrics to the famous baseball tune. Song submissions will be judged based on creativity, sing-ability, and effectiveness in capturing the spirit of Opera in the Outfield. Three winners will be selected by Maestro Domingo and announced during the "Seventh Aria Stretch" (the second intermission). Each winner will receive prize packages, and the first-place winner will have his or her song performed live, by a crowd of thousands of opera-going fans. Complete contest rules and information are available at www.OperaintheOutfield.org.

Target FREE Opera in the Outfield is a unique partnership between WNO and corporate and community partners who believe in the value of "opera for everyone." The event is fully funded and supported by donors and partners, including Target, MARS Corporation, the Washington Nationals, Metro (WMATA), WETA, ABC7/WJLA-TV, TBD and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

This simulcast of A Masked Ball will be broadcast live in high definition from the Kennedy Center Opera House to the Washington Nationals' state-of-the-art HD scoreboard, among the largest in the country, measuring 4,811 square feet. The simulcast is directed by Bruce Bryant, with video production by eventEQ.

About A Masked Ball
A powerful story of love, revenge, and murder, A Masked Ball (Un Ballo in Maschera) has all the elements of a classic Verdi opera with rich orchestrations and unforgettable, dramatic melodies. Based on the real-life murder of 18th-century Swedish King Gustavus III, the opera begins with the king's forbidden love for Amelia, the wife of his best friend Count Anckarström. Their love becomes a dance with death after Anckarström discovers Gustavus' passion and joins a conspiracy to murder the King during the court's grand masked ball.

The internationally-acclaimed cast includes Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra as King Gustavus, Italian baritone Luca Salsi as Count Anckarström and American soprano Tamara Wilson as Amelia. This Opera Colorado production is directed by James Robinson and conducted by Daniele Callegari. A Masked Ball is performed in Italian with English supertitles projected above the stage and subtitles projected on the Nationals' scoreboard.

About Washington National Opera Simulcasts
Target FREE Opera in the Outfield builds upon the successes of five previous WNO simulcasts, which have welcomed more than 125,000 people to experience free opera broadcasts from the Kennedy Center Opera House to screens on the National Mall and to 31 colleges, universities and high schools throughout the nation. In September 2008, the simulcasts moved to the newly opened Nationals Park.

The simulcasts are a cornerstone of WNO's Access to Opera initiative, which includes year-round programs in public schools throughout the region, discount ticket initiatives and adult enrichment. Together, these programs offer free and low-cost opera to more than 35,000 young people, adult opera lovers and new audiences annually.

Target FREE Opera in the Outfield-Event Details
Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
Nationals Park opens with "pre-game" activities at noon

Event Summary: Target FREE Opera in the Outfield is a free, live broadcast of Washington National Opera's A Masked Ball to Nationals Park. The popular dramatic opera is performed in Italian with English subtitles. Concessions, games, prizes, giveaways and kids activities. Sunday, September 19 at 2:00 p.m. 1500 South Capitol Street, SE, Washington, D.C. For more information or to register for space in a reserved seating section, visit www.OperaintheOutfield.org.

· This event is FREE and open to the public. Reservations are encouraged but not required.
· Individuals and groups wishing to reserve free space in reserved seating sections may make reservations online at www.OperaintheOutfield.org.
· For additional patron information about attending the simulcast, visit www.OperaintheOutfield.org. or call the Opera in the Outfield Hotline, 202.572.3057.
· Metro is the quickest and easiest way to get to Nationals Park. Parking is also available for $10. For information about visiting Nationals Park, click here.
· WNO is committed to serving patrons with disabilities. Wheelchair accessible seating is available in all price categories for all operas. Contact Audience Services at 202.295.2400, email adacoordinator@dc-opera.org, or visit www.dc-opera.org. For accessibility information at Nationals Park, visit http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/ballpark/ada_information.jsp.

About Washington National Opera
Founded in 1956, Washington National Opera is recognized as one of America's leading opera companies. Under the leadership of Plácido Domingo since 1996, WNO continues to build on its rich history by offering operas of the highest artistic quality, balancing popular grand opera with new and infrequently performed works. In addition, WNO fulfills its mission by serving as a vital resource throughout the DC metro area, bringing opera to a broad and diverse public through its award-winning education and community programs.

About the Washington Nationals Baseball Club
The Washington Nationals Baseball Club was relocated to the District of Columbia from Montreal in 2005, ending a 33-year hiatus without baseball in D.C. The team competes in Major League Baseball's National League East and plays 81 home games each season at Nationals Park, the nation's first professional sports venue to earn silver LEED certification. Located in Southeast Washington, Nationals Park is known as the ‘Home of the National Pastime in the Nation's Capital.' For more information, visit www.nationals.com.

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