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Press Releases
Fort Worth Opera Announces Final Performances for the 2020-2021 Season
NEWS RELEASE
APRIL 28, 2021
CONTACT:
Ryan Scott Lathan, Manager of Marketing and Communications,
817-288-1218; RLathan@fwopera.org
Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, Manager of Education & Community Outreach
817-277-1207; Sheran@fwopera.org
Fort Worth Opera Announces Manon on the Move, a Mobile Opera Experience. Company Closes 2020-2021 Season with a Mini-Version of Family Opera Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World at the Dallas Museum of Art, FWO GO Pop-Up Community Concerts, and a Live Recital Series Featuring the Talented Lesley Resident Artists
FORT WORTH, TX — Fort Worth Opera (FWO) continues to expand its innovative 2020-2021 season with additional performances and programming through the beginning of the summer. On Thursday, May 6, at 2:00 pm, FWO will present Manon on the Move, a mobile opera experience starring Lesley Resident Artist, Megan Koch. Six delightful arias and scenes from Jules Massenet’s sparkling French tragicomedy, Manon, will be performed in transit for audiences at the Trinity Metro Central Station and The Ashton Depot in downtown Fort Worth. Ms. Koch will take audiences on a journey through Belle Époque Paris as she plays a young, impulsive woman who abandons true love for a life of glamour, hedonism, and decadence.
Fort Worth Opera returns to The Ashton Depot on Saturday, May 8, at 2:00 pm to celebrate motherhood, with a performance of opera and musical theater favorites during a socially distanced Mother’s Day Tea. Adults can enjoy a glass of champagne, traditional tea sandwiches, scones and Devonshire cream, and sweet mini tarts with various loose leaf tea selections. Children ages twelve and under can sip on sparkling cider or tea, and feast on mac and cheese bites, mini sandwiches, and cupcakes for Teddy Bear Tea while the FWO Lesley Resident Artistsserenade their mothers.
May is National Bike Month, and on Thursday, May 20, at 6:30 pm, FWO will entertain bikers across the city as they meet up in the heart of Fort Worth and ride along the Trinity River. The company is heading to The Trailhead at Clearfork green space and partnering with Trinity Metro again for FWO GO at Fort Worth Bike Sharing, a half-hour performance of classical arias, Broadway selections, and duets as part of Fort Worth Opera’s nationally recognized mini-concert program.
On Saturday, May 15, FWO will kick off a live, socially distanced recital series at The Trinity Room within Fort Worth’s hottest new music venue, restaurant, and event space, The Post at River East, featuring the company’s talented Lesley Resident Artists. On May 15, Tenor Darius Thomas will present A Spectrum of a Soul at 1:00 pm, while soprano Gabrielle Gilliam will highlight her favorite female composers in With a Gleam in Her Eye at 3:00 pm. Audience members can drink wine, cocktails, and beer during the performances. The following weekend, on May 22, at 2:00 pm, soprano Megan Koch will conclude the series of intimate recitals with Pursue. Each artist will be accompanied by pianist Evan Mitchell.
On Saturday, June 12, at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm, Fort Worth Opera will present two abbreviated, 20-minute versions of the company's critically acclaimed children's opera, Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, at the Dallas Museum of Art's outdoor entertainment space, Eagle Family Plaza. This pop-up performance features excerpts from FWO Artistic Director and composer Joe Illick and Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Mark Campbell's one-act children's opera performed by Dallas-based mezzo-soprano Kayla Nanto and soprano Megan Koch. Based upon the highly acclaimed book by award-winning English author and illustrator Laurence Anholt, FWO's charming work follows the real-life story of Marianna Morillo Safa and her friendship with famed painter Frida Kahlo. For families in the DFW area, this the perfect opportunity to view the DMA's Frida Kahlo: Five Works exhibition and enjoy an afternoon of live opera.
In June, Fort Worth Opera will close the season with two FWO GO community performances. On Sunday, June 13, at 2 pm, this community concert will offer performances of opera, musical theater, gospel, and contemporary hits during Sounds of Summertime at Trinity Metro North Side Station in Fort Worth’s historic northern district, home to the city’s famed Stockyards and Artes de la Rosa Cultural Center for the Arts at the Rose Marine Theater. Lastly, on Saturday, June 19, FWO will present “Juneteenth Jamboree” as part of 94-year-old “Grandmother of Juneteenth” and internationally beloved Fort Worth social impact leader Ms. Opal Lee’s Historic Walk and Road to Unity Tour. More details about these exciting community events and how supporters can get involved in the Juneteenth celebration will be available in the coming weeks.
Final 2020-2021 Season Performances
Manon on the Move (In partnership with Trinity Metro and The Ashton Depot)
Start: Trinity Metro Central Station (1001 S. Jones St STE B, Fort Worth, TX 76102)
Finish: The Ashton Depot (1501 S. Jones St, Fort Worth, TX 76102)
Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Six scenes from Massenet’s opera Manon performed in transit, starring Megan Koch.
The first 20-minute portion of the performance is free to the public and will take place on the Trinity Metro Central Station, the train platform, and will conclude with a singing procession to The Ashton Depot.
For the second half of the performance, wristbands will be required to enter The Ashton Depot and patrons will need to purchase a $10 ticket in advance. Patrons can stop by FWO’s small table at Trinity Metro Central Station, provide their name, purchase a ticket, and receive a wristband.
Mother’s Day Tea & Teddy Bear Tea (In partnership with The Ashton Depot)
The Ashton Depot (1501 S. Jones St, Fort Worth, TX 76102)
Saturday, May 8, 2021, at 2:00 pm (30-minute concert)
Socially distanced High Tea with live performances from the FWO Lesley Resident Artists.
Mother’s Day Tea is $50 per guest tax
Teddy Bear Tear (ages 12 and under) is $25 per guest.
Reservations: Required
Parking: Free and Convenient
Attire: Sunday Best ~ Tea Festive
Reserved Seating: Tables may be reserved for 2 to 12 guests. Please let us know how many in your party.
For reservations, please visit https://theashtondepot.com/, or call 817.810.9501. Putting together a table: Please list all guests names. Guests may reserve and pay individually
Cancellations: For a refund, please email ashlee@theashtondepot.com 48-hours in advance. Within 48-hours, no refunds will be issued, so please offer your reservation to a friend if you cannot attend.
FWO GO at Fort Worth Bike Sharing (In partnership with Trinity Metro)
The Trailhead at Clear Fork
Near Press Café (4801 Edwards Ranch Rd #105, Fort Worth, TX 76109)
Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 6:30 pm (30-minute concert)
Pop-up concert of opera and musical theater favorites to entertain bikers across Fort Worth in honor of National Bike Month.
Free for the public.
FWO Lesley Resident Artist Recital Series (In partnership with The Post at River East)
The Post at River East (2925 Race St, Fort Worth, TX 76111)
Recitals are held indoors in The Trinity Room
Saturday, May 15 & 22, 2021
Darius Thomas, tenor
Evan Mitchell, piano
A Spectrum of a Soul
Saturday, May 15, 2021, at 1:00 pm
Gabrielle Gilliam, soprano
Evan Mitchell, piano
With a Gleam in Her Eye
Saturday, May 15, 2021, at 3:00 pm
Megan Koch, soprano
Evan Mitchell, piano
Pursue
Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 2:00 pm
Tickets are now on sale and tables are available, but limited. Each table can accommodate up to four patrons. Parties of five or more must purchase an additional table. Ticket prices are for a table of four. $100 for one recital, $175 for two recitals, and $225 for all three recitals. Visit https://www.fwopera.org/recitals to purchase tickets and view the programs for each recital.
FWO GO at the DMA: Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World (In partnership with the Dallas Museum of Art)
Dallas Museum of Art’s Eagle Family Plaza (1717 N. Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201)
Saturday, June 12, 2021, at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Each performance lasts 20 minutes.
Mini-version of FWO’s family friendly opera, performed in celebration of the DMA’s Frida Kahlo: Five Works exhibition.
To view the exhibition before or after the performance, please reserve your timed tickets athttps://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1014117/museum-admission-dallas-dallas-museum-of-art.
Sounds of Summertime (In Partnership with Trinity Metro)
Trinity Metro Northside Station (2829 Decatur Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76106)
Sunday, June 13, 2021, at 2:00 pm
FWO GO pop-up concert of classic opera arias, Broadway hits, and show-stopping duets.
Tickets will be a suggested donation of $10 per person.
Juneteenth Jamboree (In partnership with Ms. Opal Lee’s Historic Walk & Road to Unity Tour)
Steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse (100 E Weatherford St, Fort Worth, TX 76196)
Saturday, June 19, 2021. Time and further details TBD.
Community concert with performances of opera, musical theater, gospel, & contemporary hits.
Free for the public.
ABOUT FORT WORTH OPERA: Founded in 1946, Fort Worth Opera is poised to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2021. For the last fifteen years, FWO has become one of the leading American companies dedicated to nurturing and performing new opera, in addition to producing traditional repertoire with rising American stars. The company’s acclaimed Frontiers program was held digitally this fall with our first digital Libretto Workshop. The company’s Children’s Opera Theatre typically reaches about 60,000 students across North Texas each season with live, interactive performances.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, FWO has created online educational curriculum for local music students to supplement their in-school studies, and COT can also now serve entire families and communities beyond the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Fort Worth Opera is committed to celebrating all North Texans, and through our ongoing Noches de Ópera program, the company offers community-driven events and powerful operas that represent the diverse cultures of all of the Americas.
Fort Worth Opera is sponsored in part by awards from The Arts Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County, The City of Fort Worth, the Texas Commission on the Arts, Virginia Hobbs Charitable Trust, Simmons Bank, Trustee, Visit Fort Worth, and OPERA America. Additional Fort Worth Opera sponsors include: Tarrant Country Pearls Chapter of The Society, Inc., Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, Texas Christian University, Time to Heal America, Allan Virgo, Royal Flesh, Townplace Suites Marriott, Renaissance: The Worthington Hotel. Additional sponsors include Haltom’s Fine Jewelers, UNT Health Science Center, the Kimbell Art Museum, Col. William A. Massad, Ret., Trewbarry, Farmers Insurance, Larry, Kardaras, and The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
American Airlines is the Official Airline of Fort Worth Opera.
Arts and Culture Texas Magazine is the Official Media Sponsor of Fort Worth Opera
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