My First Opera

In this new series, DMMO Board Member and Iowa City resident Tim Krumm reflects on his first experience with Des Moines Metro Opera. The first opera I remember seeing at DMMO is Madama Butterfly in 1974 with my mom, dad, my brother David and Grandma Laura. The great Carol Stuart was singing the role of…

A Revolutionary Theatre Turns 50

In 1970 America’s heartland created one of the country’s most radically designed theaters. -by Mark Tiarks The Blank Performing Arts Center’s mainstage, called Pote Theatre, successfully incorporated both a traditional proscenium design and a thrust-stage auditorium. This unique configuration, which put the orchestra and conductor in the center of the action for opera productions, reflected…

A note from Michael Egel

Dear Friends, “If any further proof were needed that Des Moines Metro Opera is at the forefront of operatic excellence in America, their theatrically searing, musically impeccable Wozzeck would cement this assertion.” This was the opening line of a review from Opera Today in July and I hope you agree. Four all-original productions delighted us during…

Q&A with Mané Galoyan

The soprano with “a voice of dazzling security and range, topped by a wonderfully projected mezzo voice that makes you hang onto every note…” (Classical Source), Mané Galoyan makes her company and role debut with DMMO as Musetta in Puccini’s La Bohème! In our second artist Q&A of the season, the Armenian native shares her…

Q&A with Thomas Glass

Baritone Thomas Glass returns to the role of Marcello for his company debut in DMMO’s beloved revival of Puccini’s La Bohème. With opening night fast approaching, we asked Glass a few questions about his long history with La Bohème, his passion for sports, and his favorite role he’s performed — complete with a fight scene! You’ve portrayed…

Q&A with Jill Grove

Mezzo-soprano Jill Grove returns to the DMMO stage this season in the role of The Old Lady in Leonard Bernstein’s Candide. Audiences will remember Grove from last season as Ježibaba in DMMO’s new production of Rusalka. In our first artist Q&A of the season, Grove answers questions about her beginnings in opera, her big plans…

Des Moines Metro Opera Announces Staff Transitions

(seated from L-R: Ellen Diehl, Timothy McMillin; standing from L-R: Michael Egel, Adam Bogh) Indianola, Iowa – Des Moines Metro Opera announced today that Ellen Diehl of Ankeny, Iowa, will transition from her current role with the Company to the newly created position of Anniversary Projects Director. This position will focus on exploratory efforts and special initiatives to…

Des Moines Metro Opera Announces Additional Performance of Bon Appétit!

Indianola, IA — Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) General and Artistic Director Michael Egel announced today that an additional performance of Lee Hoiby’s Bon Appétit!, has been added on Friday, July 19 at 6:00pm. “Even though we’re over two months from opening night, the first two performances of Bon Appétit! have already sold out, making this our most…

Des Moines Metro Opera Announces Casting for 47th Festival Season

Indianola, IA — Des Moines Metro Opera’s (DMMO) General and Artistic Director, Michael Egel, is pleased to announce the full casting for the Company’s 47th Festival Season, which runs from June 28 through July 21, 2019, and offers 18 performances of four different operas. “Presenting repertory performances of major works in dynamic contract to one…

“Des Moines Metro Opera Presents Billy Budd” Receives 2018 Upper Midwest Emmy!

Indianola, IA — Iowa Public Television’s broadcast of “Des Moines Metro Opera Presents Billy Budd” has won the 2018 Upper Midwest Emmy in the Arts/Entertainment Program division. The 2018 Upper Midwest Regional Emmy Gala and awards ceremony was held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Radisson Blu Hotel at the Mall of America in Bloomington,…

Des Moines Metro Opera and Iowa National Guard to Present Glory Denied at Camp Dodge

Indianola, IA — After a sold-out run of the rock-infused opera Soldier Songs in 2017, Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) is set to present the second installment of a unique collaboration with the Iowa National Guard and Camp Dodge this November. DMMO opens its 47th Season this fall with a production of Tom Cipullo’s poignant and emotionally charged…

Love grows in the Corn Belt

Opera brings people together – be it patrons, communities or a couple separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Gregory Warren and Hester Warren-Steijn met overseas through their careers in opera and now live in two different countries. Opera keeps the married couple connected and brings them here to Indianola two months out of the year to…