The development of art is a part of the cultural development of the nation. It is important to support the establishments connected with this sphere. The Dallas Opera plays an important role in the creative life of the city. Since the beginning of its existence, it has gathered citizens who want to enjoy this beautiful form of art. Learn more at dallas-trend.
Creation of the Dallas Opera
The Dallas Opera was founded in 1957 by Lawrence Kelly and Nicolà Rescigno. Previously, Kelly worked as an administrator at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Rescigno was an artistic director there. Their shared passion for creativity became the impetus for the opening of a world-class center uniting an outstanding stage and chamber opera repertoire. In an extremely short time, it attracted the attention of national and international audiences. The opera also gained authority thanks to its highest standards of artistic excellence, efficiency, financial sustainability and general openness.
It is said that Lawrence Kelly made more effort to open the opera. He collected funds to realize his intention for ten months and enjoyed what he liked, art, only for two months.
Maria Callas, the first singer of the Dallas Opera
The legendary Greek singer Maria Callas was the first performer of the Dallas Opera. The inaugural performance took place in November 1957. The prima received the invitation from Lawrence Kelly. He wanted the opera to start its activities on such a high note. The singer herself also wanted to demonstrate her talent on a new stage in the very heart of Texas. However, at the beginning of the season, most of Callas’ concerts were canceled. It was said that she broke her voice and couldn’t perform. Therefore, people bought very few tickets to the Dallas Opera.
When Maria Callas did come on stage, she was shocked that only a quarter of the auditorium was filled. However, she continued her performance because she prepared very hard for it. Lawrence Kelly turned out to be an extremely demanding director and wanted the prima to sing eight opera arias in a row. The performance was brilliant and Maria Callas’ voice was perfect. No less stunning was her image, which was emphasized by a shining Venetian gold dress complemented by precious earrings with diamonds. The singer opened the concert with Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio. Callas showed the most of her artistic talents during her last aria from Donizetti’s opera Anne Boleyn. She played the betrayed queen very skillfully and the audience got extremely emotional. It was clear that the singer got into the character as much as possible.
The second day of the first Dallas Opera season was also fruitful. Even though the vast majority of the actors who appeared on the stage were little known in the United States, they managed to enchant the audience. More and more people left concerts with the desire to attend the next one as soon as possible. Due to a low advertising campaign, the hall still remained half empty. In addition, some performers were poorly prepared and couldn’t cope with a play in Italian. However, thanks to bright decorations and comicality, the overall result turned out to be successful.
Since then, many first-class international performers have been involved in the activity of the Dallas Opera. Some of them became even more famous after that. Among those involved in the opera’s creativity are singers Plácido Domingo, John Vickers, Teresa Berganza, Helga Dernesch, Gwyneth Jones, as well as director Franco Zeffirelli and designer Clémentine Margaine.
