The opera world shines its golden light on DMMO

7/6/2022

Central Iowa has an exceptionally high “cultural quotient.” A constant bounty of productions, events and exhibitions await cultural adventurers. Occasionally, one organization elevates itself to a rare pinnacle of presentation and performance. This year, the Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) allows patrons to breathe deeply the rarified, golden air of their 50th Season.

Michael Egel, general director of DMMO, shares glimpses into this magical year. Their permanent staff of about seven will expand. 

“This summer, the company will swell to more than 275. We are super-sized this year to celebrate this golden anniversary,” he says.

“We started off this year with what we called Five Big Wow projects to celebrate this occasion. We did an epic production of Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ in March at the Civic Center. These (productions) have been many years in the making. All… will be brand new, top to bottom — new costumes, new sets, and everything original, nothing from an existing production. These new costumes and scenery elements were built all across the United States, and all designed here.”

DMMO’s sterling reputation gives it the clout to connect with the top creatives in design, importing stunning visual excellence into each work. The three shows, presented in DMMO’s traditional repertory format in July, bring an unforgettable season to fruition.

Egel talks about the “commissioned new work, not just any piece, but something that was our story to tell, and that we were uniquely positioned to give that story life on the stage.” This work is expected to begin its journey to other companies following its world premiere at DMMO. 

“This (world premiere) is ‘A Thousand Acres,’ based on Iowan Jane Smiley’s 1992 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. This premiere will utilize video projections,” he explains, sharing how a skilled team of technicians worked on custom-designing this concept for their unique performing hall. Smiley will attend the opening of this production.

“ ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ continues the Shakespearean theme (‘A Thousand Acres’ reflects a ‘King Lear’ storyline) with ‘some of the most glorious and sumptuous costumes I’ve ever seen.’ Headlining this production is countertenor John Holiday as Oberon, who spent part of the pandemic when opera wasn’t being performed wowing judges to the final round in ‘The Voice.’ ” 

Egel anticipates strong attendance this summer. Last year, even at 50% capacity, DMMO welcomed audience members from 42 different states. 

“My work as general director is choosing a repertory to create a season that appeals to people from all over the United States that makes them want to come to Iowa,” Egel says.

His keen abilities ably continue the tradition established by founders Dr. Robert L. Larsen and Douglas Duncan in 1973.

“Our anchor production this year is the Gershwins’ ‘Porgy and Bess’ (George as composer, Ira as lyricist), and in my over 20 years in the business, I’ve never heard sounds as incredible and overwhelming as I have from these rehearsals,” Egel shares. “This is undeniably the greatest American opera ever written. It owes nothing to European traditions. It is an American story, American music through and through that features an entirely Black cast. Within the first few minutes, its signature song ‘Summertime’ is performed.” 

Dr. Simon Estes, who serves as the production advisor, is Iowa’s opera superstar. 

“Many in the industry know him as a legendary, towering figure in opera who has, to his credit, many firsts and many barrier-breaking performances all over the world,” Egel says.

This marks Estes’ 40th anniversary since his Metropolitan Opera debut, 16 years after his professional debut. As the leading man in the Met’s first ever performance of ‘Porgy and Bess,’ Estes’ reviews were stunning. He would eventually sing the role 20 times for the Met throughout his career, more than any other role.

This summer marks his first appearance with Des Moines Metro Opera, and his Iowa operatic debut. Iowans have long awaited this moment in Estes’ stellar career. The cast of DMMO’s ‘Porgy and Bess’ are extremely excited, especially when they learned that he would be performing a small role in the production.

 DMMO’s final “Wow” is “American Apollo,” a short performance of a new opera, with discussion and lecture. It will be presented in collaboration with the Des Moines Art Center and Pyramid Theatre at the Art Center.

This golden time in Iowa’s cultural expressiveness will glow well into the future, and anyone who experiences even one of DMMO’s performances will hold each memory forever. ♦

John Busbee is a creative project developer, critic, playwright, author, producer and media professional. He has produced his weekly show, The Culture Buzz, on KFMG since 2007.