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title: "DBrief: Actually, people do care about the opera."
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Also: The ongoing City Hall discussion, Nadine Lee’s plans for DART and the World Cup, and Ray Washburne’s sky-high hotel plans. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

| View in browser 📅 Monday March 9, 2026 Saturday, the Dallas Opera’s last production of the season had its final night. It was a production that was not without some drama—Don Carlo got sick, necessitating bringing in another singer at the literal last minute on Wednesday night. (I know people say literal or literally erroneously, but in this case, Arturo Chacón Cruz arrived at the Winspear at 7 p.m., and the show began at 7:30, with no rehearsal at all. You can read more about that here.)   All the principals were on stage when I attended on Saturday. Although we were warned that several of them were battling Texas’s most welcoming allergens and beseeched to “be kind” to them, it wasn’t needed, really. It was a tremendous evening of Verdi, and the cast (rightfully) received a sustained standing ovation at the end of the performance. That accompanied the frequent “Bravi!,” “Bravo!” and “Brava!” exclamations that came from the audience during the show.   But perhaps the most fun was with my seat neighbor. It was her first opera ever, she confided in me, which prompted the gentlemen seated in front of us to turn around with the same joy I felt. We began discussing our first operas, and assured her that Don Carlo was an excellent introduction to the art form. It reminded me of what Nicole Car, who portrayed Elizabeth de Valois, told me last week when we were discussing how to keep opera alive and fresh: “Bring people in and see what their reactions are, and have them experience what this is.” My seatmate was enthralled. During intermission, she beamed. “This is insane! They have no amplification! It’s just their voices!”    Car and her castmates had a bit of a night off Friday night—the Dallas Opera’s National Vocal Competition was on deck, where the future opera stars showcase their work in craft,  accompanied by the Dallas Opera Orchestra, with Emmanuel Villaume conducting. The competition started with 381 applicants, winnowed down to 10 finalists by last Friday. In the end, Tzvi Bat Asherah won both first place and the People’s Choice. (You can read more about the competition and the Don Carlo connection here.)   Sure, an actor told another actor in a video that “nobody cares” about the opera and ballet. But 381 singers aspiring to eventual opera greatness is not a sign of nobody caring. A brand-new opera-lover being born in a seat on row M, orchestra center, in the Winspear Opera House is also not a sign that nobody cares. The full houses seen at nearly every show this season, the sold-out performances of Nutcracker during the Christmas season, and the excited students at St. Philip’s who got to meet newly retired prima ballerina Misty Copeland, all show that people do care.  While the season is over, the Dallas Opera has already announced next season. My problem? Picking which shows I can reasonably make time to attend, which is a very good problem to have.   ☀️Forecast. We have a chance of rain through midweek, with a serious chance of storms on Tuesday and Wednesday. Don’t forget your umbrella is rolling around the backseat of your car somewhere, and that cars going fast through street puddles will indeed produce a spray that will soak you while you wait to cross the street.   🎶Now playing. “Turandot: Nessun Dorma,” by Luciano Pavarotti  Bethany Erickson Senior Online Editor, D Magazine In the Know How long did the Dallas City Council's briefing and meeting that included discussion about the fate of City Hall last on Wednesday?    (Keep scrolling—the answer is in one of the stories in this newsletter. But don't forget to check out all the other great features in between. Like what you’re reading? Recommend it to a friend.) Sponsored Content Explore Jumeirah’s Luxury Stays for your Next European Vacation from Dallas Strong Travel Services offers exclusive access to three of Jumeirah’s European luxury hotels. Explore Refer a Friend WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Ray Washburne is eyeing a new 30-story hotel near the Dallas Convention Center. He says City Hall drama has distracted civic leaders, who need to “step up and engage in conversation for this.” READ MORE DART is having a Game of Thrones moment, as its 13-member cities fight for power on the board of directors, and six of them have considered withdrawing altogether. Nadine Lee has the difficult task of steering the agency through this turmoil. READ MORE Theresa Rowley’s international romance went viral. So did her breakup. READ MORE QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The Rangers were Davis’ plaything when he sought a World Series, and they are his ideological cudgel now that he’s captured it.” — Mike Piellucci, on the unveiling of the One Riot, One Ranger statue at Globe Life Field, and other decisions by Texas Rangers majority owner Ray Davis. Join the conversation here. Sponsored Content The Spring Refresh Your Closet Has Been Waiting For Photographed throughout the Village’s iconic restaurants, the Spring 2026 Fashion Lookbook highlights fresh inspiration and in-store looks across more than 40 brands. Discover ICYMI The Extended Discussion on the Fate of City Hall Kelsey Shoemaker Last week was a busy week with primary elections and a very long day at City Hall discussing the fate of that building. We have the outcome of that meeting in the link below, but we also learned tours of potential city hall sites have been happening for a while. Jake Kemp wrote about a Dallas Mavericks focus group that also provided some City Hall-adjacent intel: “Would a downtown location (seemingly City Hall) be preferable to a ‘North Dallas’ location (most likely Valley View) or a ‘regional’ option, like Irving? Notably, the option of staying at the AAC was not discussed.” READ MORE FIND SOMETHING TO DO THIS WEEK Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Experience the magic of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre as they make a one-night return to Dallas at the Winspear Opera House. Under the leadership of new Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, the company brings Alvin Ailey's legacy to life with performances of classics such as Grace, Blink of an Eye, A Case of You, and Revelations. CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE Sponsored Content Calling All Creatives to the Dallas Art Fair This April! April 16 through 19, 2026, the Dallas Art Fair returns with a weekend of events that define the city’s cultural calendar. Read More PHOTO OF THE WEEK Man's Best Friend Visits the Dallas Zoo Bret Redman There are plenty of dog parks and even pet-friendly restaurants and bars, but there aren’t a lot of experiences for the entire family—both human and fur—it turns out. When Dallas Zoo officials learned that there was a great deal of interest in those kinds of excursions, they got to work, and the first Dog Day was born. See more scenes from the day here.   Send submissions for the photo of the week to bethany.erickson@dmagazine.com. AROUND TOWN Texas and Missouri’s versions of a law banning nondisclosure agreements in child sex abuse cases were passed last year. Last week, a federal version, filed by a bipartisan group that includes Sen. Ted Cruz, aims to make it a national law. The laws are named after the Park Cities’ Trey Carlock, who was abused at Kamp Kanakuk for nearly a decade. He later died by suicide. Cumulus Media filed for bankruptcy protection in Texas last week in hopes that it could restructure and eliminate most of its $697 million in debt. The company owns 394 radio stations, including The Ticket, The Wolf, and WBAP in North Texas. The Mesquite Fire Department responded to two house fires last week that took more than half an hour to get under control. Officials say witnesses told them dozens of floating lanterns traveled through the neighborhood before the flames started, which destroyed two homes. What did you think about this week’s DBrief? 👍 👎 📫 Invite your friends, family, and colleagues to sign up for DBrief.  Follow D Magazine on social media: D Magazine thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. If you’re interested in advertising, click here.   Manage Preferences  Unsubscribe  Privacy Policy   © 2025 D Magazine Partners 750 N. Saint Paul Street, Suite 2100, Dallas,TX 75201 |
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