Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year

May 20, 2011
Prague, Czech Replublic

To the Board and Trustees of The Dallas Opera, Jonathan Pell, and the patrons of The Dallas Opera:

I am thrilled to accept The Dallas Opera’s Maria Callas Debut Artist of the Year Award. Singing in my hometown has been a dream of mine since I first decided to follow opera as a vocation. This award means so much to me, and is the culmination of years of hard work. It is extremely gratifying to have that work so appreciated, and for this I heartily thank the Dallas patrons who voted for me and Jonathan Pell at The Dallas Opera for inviting me to sing this beautiful role.

I would also like to thank my parents and sister, who pushed me from the very beginning to develop my passions and talent, and who have always been spectacularly supportive of my career.

My first experience of live opera was at age 10 at The Dallas Opera at Fair Park Music Hall. I spent my teens attending shows there with student discount tickets, sometimes coming to see the same show numerous times. This opera company has a profound effect on this city, and made an indelible mark on me as a young music student. As a Dallas native, having sung in choirs at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church and Highland Park High School and having studied voice at SMU, I think I am singularly qualified to know firsthand what this award signifies. I am mindful of the roster of names that I join here.

I still remember the late Joan Sutherland’s last Vilja Lied on The Dallas Opera stage while I was at SMU; I count myself fortunate to have been a misty-eyed witness to her farewell. I hope you, as the Board and Trustees, understand the importance The Dallas Opera has on the many lives the Opera touches. The caliber of singing at The Dallas Opera has always been sensational; I realize the competition I had for the Debut Artist of the Year Award this year alone. Consequently, I am deeply touched and honored that you are bestowing on me this award bearing the name of my biggest operatic idol, Maria Callas.

My only regret is that I cannot be there in person to accept this award: I am singing concerts with the San Francisco Symphony on tour in Europe this week and next. I would love it if you could entrust this award into the safekeeping of my parents, Linda and Larry Claycomb until they can bring it to me in Italy this summer; they deserve it as much as I do, with all the nurturing they have given me and my singing over the years.

It certainly takes a village to produce a great artist, and that village has been my beloved Dallas. A Texas-sized “Thank You” to you all for awarding me this prestigious distinction!

Sincerely,
Laura Claycomb