Art and Opera at Cowboys Stadium
In anticipation of Saturday's Cowboys Stadium Simulcast of Mozart's The Magic Flute, The Dallas Opera hosted a short media gathering with co-organizer representatives Gene Jones of the Dallas Cowboys and General Director/CEO of The Dallas Opera Keith Cerny. Both talked about how excited they were to use the medium to bring opera to the masses — and masses is definitely the right word. With ticket reservations (as of Tuesday) just under 32,000, Saturday's simulcast could be the largest arts simulcast in U.S. history! Mr. Cerny and Mrs. Jones also talked about the audience development bi-product of such an event, and how the venue can break down the barriers that exist when people think about going to the opera. Mr. Cerny talked about how the idea came to him while attending the famous Bayreuth Festival and watching people eating and drinking beer while casually taking in a grand opera performance. Using Cowboys Stadium for a simulcast is his hope of bringing a European opera experience to Texas. Not only will audience members get to experience opera on the biggest of big screens, the audio of the stadium is also set to be supplemented by 12 large speaker columns like the stadium uses for large-scale live performances. So viewing and listening will not be a problem from any seat in the "house."
But, opera wasn't the only art experience happening at Cowboys Stadium, nor is it the first. When Cowboys Stadium was being built, Gene Jones wanted to use the stadium to bring the arts experience to the general public. On Tuesday she reiterated an earlier statement that "Fans talk about games with great passion. Viewers talk about art with equal passion. Both sports and art bring together people from all walks of life to discuss what we cherish, in ways that stir our deepest beliefs and excite us to share them" and she hoped that by bringing opera to this venue, it could be another step towards getting the community at large talking and excited about art.
After the media session, the Cowboys Stadium staff led media members and members of The Magic Flute cast on a VIP Tour of the Cowboys Stadium artwork. It was easy to see why the idea of having an opera at the stadium would seem so appealing, as the goal of having art available to experience in a spontaneous and genuine way by the "Average Joe" was readily apparent — whether it was gigantic entry-way installment, large tiles above concession stands, or murals around stairs and escalators, art is all around you. And on Saturday, in front of what might be one of the largest opera crowds in U.S. history, art will be not only seen, but heard at Cowboys Stadium.
Take a look at pictures from the tour...
David Weuste started the company “Rosebrook Classical” to help classical record labels gain the marketing advantages of social media. David is passionate about classical music recordings and performing organization.
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