The Future of Dallas Opera
Emmanuel Villaume makes Dallas Opera history as new music director
The Dallas Opera has hit a few milestones in the last five years, including moving from the Music Hall at Fair Park to Winspear Opera House in 2009 and presenting two simulcasts at Cowboys Stadium the past two seasons. Recently the opera reached another when it named only the third music director in its 56-year history: Emmanuel Villaume.
Villaume, a French-born conductor, has led performances for multiple opera companies around the world, including Metropolitan Opera in New York, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London, Opéra de Paris and Teatro La Fenice in Venice. He is an in-demand conductor who will continue to share his skills with other companies even after starting with Dallas Opera for the 2013-2014 season.
In an official statement, Dallas Opera general director and CEO Keith Cerny said Villaume's busy schedule should prove to be a boon for Dallas Opera's reputation.
"Emmanuel Villaume will prove an excellent ambassador for the company while attending to his many national and international conducting engagements and will help the Dallas Opera to continue to attract the best singers, directors and designers at work in our field today."
Villaume takes over for current music director Graeme Jenkins, who is stepping down after the 2012-2013 season. In fact, Villaume's official title will be the Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director in Honor of Graeme Jenkins.
Jenkins, who has held the position since 1994, will retain a role as music director emeritus. Dallas Opera co-founder Nicola Rescigno was the music director from 1957-1994.
Villaume will oversee the already announced 2013-2014 season, titled "By Love Transformed," which includes performances of the classic Carmen, the new opera Death and the Powers, The Barber of Seville, and the Dallas premiere of the German opera Die Tote Stadt (The Dead City).
