MOBY DICK : an epic opera by JAKE HEGGIE
Libretto by GENE SCHEER

WORLD PREMIERE: FRIDAY APRIL 30, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Additional Performances: May 2(m), 5, 8, 13 & 16(m), 2010

at DALLAS OPERA's new WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE at the AT&T Performing Arts Center

The DALLAS OPERA production of JAKE HEGGIE's new work promises a "tremendous seafaring and spiritual adventure that will carry audiences from the bustling ports of New England—in the days of the great sailing ships—to equatorial waters and the distant South Seas."

Based on Herman Melville’s 19th century literary masterpiece, Moby-Dick explores the lethal power of obsession and the need for human connection and understanding in an increasingly multicultural world, one filled with mysterious encounters, exotic characters and one man’s quest for a white whale that leaves death and destruction in its wake.

The new opera marks the seventh collaboration (four stage works and three song cycles) by JAKE HEGGIE and celebrated librettist GENE SCHEER, who had this to say about Moby Dick:

“Writing the libretto for Moby-Dick was the most thrilling challenge I have yet taken on. The book always seems to provide more to ponder and more to explore. It is a grand adventure story and, of course, a journey into the depths of the human heart.

“The enormity of the themes and questions posed make the story, in fact, very well suited to the thrilling power of music. Whether it is Ahab’s desperate fight to assert his place in the cosmos, or a lost young man’s struggle to achieve a spiritual rebirth, Melville’s masterpiece provides the kind of emotionally rich and psychologically profound landscape that is fertile ground for grand opera."

JAKE HEGGIE writes:

"Every day of the past five years, I have relished exploring and mining the wealth of music in Melville’s astonishing novel.  This is a team effort and collaboration unlike anything I’ve experienced and the company has given us everything we need from day one,starting with a first-rate team, cast, orchestra and chorus. I’m terribly excited to share it with the Dallas audience, and hugely honored to be part of the inaugural season in the stunning Winspear Opera House.”

Moby Dick also marks the company debut of internationally acclaimed Canadian dramatic tenor BEN HEPPNER in the lead role of Captain Ahab. Other members of the outstanding cast are: baritone MORGAN SMITH as Starbuck; tenor and 2009 Richard Tucker Award Winner STEPHEN COSTELLO as Greenhorn; bass-baritone JONATHAN LEMALU as Queequeg; soprano TALISE TREVIGNE as Pip; tenor MATTHEW O'NEILL as Flask and baritone ROBERT ORTH as Stubb.

HEPPNER       SMITH     COSTELLO     LEMALU         O'NEILL         ORTH  

The all-star ensemble cast will be conducted by PATRICK SUMMERS and directed by LEONARD FOGLIA, both frequent HEGGIE collaborators. This co-production with  San Francisco Opera, San Diego Opera, Calgary Opera and The State Opera of South Australia is designed by two-time Tony Award-nominee ROBERT BRILL and award-winning Broadway veterans JANE GREENWOOD and DONALD HOLDER. 

BUY TICKETS