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CHANDELIER IN WINSPEAR NAMED AFTER $5M GIFT FROM THE MOODY FOUNDATION
Exclusive Philip Glass Adaptation to Accompany Pre-Program Ascent
The iconic chandelier in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House will have a new name and dramatic music for its nightly ascent, the AT&T Performing Arts Center announced today.
Following a $5 million gift from The Moody Foundation, the chandelier was named The Moody Foundation Chandelier.
“This gift sprang from my abiding love for the arts,” said Francie Moody-Dahlberg, executive director of The Moody Foundation. “We are so pleased with what the Center is bringing to the community and are glad to be a partner.”
“To have our stunning chandelier named for one of the most historic and generous families in Texas is truly an honor for the Center,” said Doug Curtis, president and acting CEO of the nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center.
Additionally, the Center announced that the traditional pre-performance ascent of The Moody Chandelier will now be accompanied by an exclusively adapted piece “The Light” by American composer Philip Glass.
“The raising of the Moody Chandelier has always delighted audiences, but because it is silent many people don’t realize it’s going up until it’s gone,” said Mr. Curtis. “This will help mark and bring attention to what is already a very captivating moment for our guests.”
“That chandelier leaves a powerful impression on anyone who has performed at the Winspear Opera House,” said Philip Glass, who performed at the Center in 2009 as part of the TITAS season. “While the name ‘The Light’ was sheer coincidence, that composition was the perfect fit. I was pleased to connect it in such a dramatic way with this unique and wonderful chandelier.”
As audiences are being seated in the 2,200-seat Margaret McDermott Performance Hall, the Moody Chandelier’s 318 L.E.D acrylic light rods are extended in a tapered position with the longest rod stretching 40 feet. It is lifted just prior to a performance so that audiences seated in the upper balconies have an unobstructed view. Once fully recessed, the chandelier mimics twinkling stars in the night sky. The dramatic fixture is one of the most photographed and talked about features at the Center.
“The pairing of the chandelier and the music was so stirring and inspiring, it seemed the perfect way to share our foundation’s strong connection with Dallas,” said Ms. Moody-Dahlberg. In addition to the naming gift, The Moody Foundation supports the Center’s education program Open Stages.
“The Light” is from Glass’ Heroes Symphony, which he composed in 1996 based on the album Heroes by David Bowie. Glass was the first TITAS presentation in the Winspear Opera House when it opened in October 2009. Glass will get to see his music and the Moody Chandelier’s ascension when he returns to the Center on February 24, 2014 as part of the TITAS 2013/2014 Season.
The Center will introduce the new tradition next week before the performance of The Tenors, on Friday, June 28 at 8:00 p.m.