A collection of songs by Michael Patterson

Dr. Michael Patterson, longtime festival staff member at DMMO and Simpson College professor, has recently published a remarkable collection of 22 art songs selected from a repertory of compositions spanning over 20 years. The collection features works for high voice, medium-high voice and medium-low voice types. The composer has generously requested that all proceeds raised…

Michael and David Reflect on Season 45

From Michael Egel, General & Artistic Director: After intense months of rehearsals, coachings, meetings, performances and parties, not to mention seven-day weeks, the Blank Performing Arts Center became suddenly quiet on July 17. Just a few days later, Company members were scattered to disperse all over the globe. There were over 225 of us and…

MANON receives Emmy nomination

Iowa Public Television’s broadcast of Des Moines Metro Opera presents Manon has been nominated for an Upper Midwest Regional Emmy in the Arts/Entertainment division! The official nominees from the Arts/Entertainment division are: 14B: Arts/Entertainment – Program Cheng Khee Chee in Perspective – WDSE-TV Des Moines Metro Opera Presents Manon – Iowa Public Television Judy Blank, Producer/Editor Andrea Coyle,…

Transgender opera opens DMMO’s 46th Season

Baritone (and Milford, IA native) John Moore and mezzo-soprano Elise Quagliata share the role of Hannah, the sole transgender protagonist in this tale of discovery, understanding and acceptance Presented in partnership with One Iowa and Transformations Iowa; both organizations will facilitate talk-back sessions immediately following each performance Performances to take place on November 17, 18…

DMMO Apprentice Artist Auditions

2018 Apprentice Artist Applications Now Available! Audition dates for the 2018 Season: Houston | September 28, 2017 Cincinnati | October 11, 2017 Chicago | October 12, 2017 New York City | October 30-November 1, 2017 Des Moines | November 5, 2017 APPLY NOW 2018 Summer Festival | June 22-July 15 J. Strauss  DIE FLEDERMAUS Dvořák…

Remembering Carol Stuart (1933-2017)

Born in 1933, soprano Carol Stuart was an incredible singer who inspired an opera company and was a significant factor in Robert L. Larsen and Douglas Duncan’s decision to launch Des Moines Metro Opera in 1973. A remarkable lyric coloratura with significant acting skills and stage craft, Carol sang 10 principal roles with DMMO between…

Q&A with Chris Largent

Chris Largent, DMMO’s Technical Director, answers questions about constructing the set for Billy Budd, managing two production departments, cleaning bathrooms (occasionally) and defying physics. Q: What is your official position at DMMO and how long have you worked with us? I am the Technical Director and this is my 6th season. Q: How did you get started…

Q&A with Brian August

Brian August, DMMO’s Production Stage Manager, answers questions about working behind-the-scenes, organized chaos and the many voices inside his head(phones)! Q: How long have you worked with DMMO?  Seven seasons! I started out in 2011 and here we are today! Q: How did you start out in the industry?  I started out stage managing in high…

Q&A with Vanessa Vasquez

Soprano Vanessa Vasquez, who makes her DMMO debut this summer as Liù in Turandot, answers questions about her recent win at the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions, opera, family and, of course, superpowers.   Q: What was it like performing on stage at the Met during the Grand Finals? Are there any specific moments that particularly resonate/stick out?  It was…

A Waltz Through Folly

Stephen Sondheim and Isaac Mizrahi explore midsummer misunderstandings to create a memorable musical tale In the northern regions of Scandinavia during the summer solstice, the sun does not set for days at a time. A diffused twilight illuminates midsummer festivals and raucous social revelries. Against this beautiful backdrop in turn-of-the-century Sweden, A Little Night Music celebrates…

Q&A with Brittany Crinson

Wig and makeup designer Brittany Crinson answers questions about life backstage, crazy wigs and a few of her favorite things. Q: How long have you worked with DMMO?  This is my 7th season with DMMO! Q: How did you start out in the industry? I went to cosmetology school and shortly after started working at Michigan Opera Theatre running…

Q&A with Michael Adams

Baritone Michael Adams, who stars as Ping in Turandot and Donald in Billy Budd (and was last seen at DMMO as Lescaut in Manon), answers questions about growing up, opera, family and BASEBALL. Q: Did you grow up in a musical family? When did you start singing? Yes, my father is a singer so I grew up…