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Mirjam Mesak makes her American opera debut in Leoš Janáček’s story of animal and human lives, presented in a production new to Dallas.
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
Performances: Friday, October 30, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, November 1 at 2 p.m.; Wednesday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. The Dallas Opera lists an approximately 1 hour 45 minute runtime with no intermission; AT&T Performing Arts Center lists approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Check the selected performance ticket for current details. Sunday post-opera talkback follows the matinee; pre-opera talks begin one hour before each performance.
A fox cub taken home by a forester grows up plotting her escape. In The Cunning Little Vixen, freedom leads her into a forest full of other animals—and back into the orbit of the humans who share their world.
Janáček’s opera begins with the Vixen’s capture, but her life in the Forester’s courtyard is only the start. After outwitting the household and escaping, she takes over a badger’s den, meets a fox and raises cubs. The Forester, meanwhile, has not forgotten her.
The story moves between the forest and a village inn, where the Forester and Schoolmaster trade barbs about their disappointments. Its animal characters have ambitions and relationships of their own, while the human characters remain entangled in the same landscape. The plot includes the Vixen’s death, a useful detail for families considering the show.
Further reading: Leoš Janáček's THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN • The Dallas Opera ↗
Soprano Mirjam Mesak sings the Vixen in her American opera debut, with Zachary Nelson as the Forester and Shannon Keegan as Lišak, the fox she meets in the forest. Several performers take both human and animal roles: Freddie Ballentine sings the Schoolmaster and Mosquito, while Andrew Harris appears as the Parson and Badger.
Emmanuel Villaume conducts the new-to-Dallas production. Barrie Kosky is its original director, with Johannes Stepanek directing the Dallas revival; the cast also includes the Greater Dallas Choral Society.
Further reading: The Dallas Opera | The Cunning Little Vixen | Winspear Opera House ↗ · Leoš Janáček's THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN • The Dallas Opera ↗
For an introduction before the performance, the Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk is a 30-minute interactive lecture hosted by Villaume. It begins one hour before each curtain in Margaret McDermott Performance Hall and is included with a performance ticket.
The November 1 matinee offers an additional reason to stay: immediately afterward, David Lomelí hosts a brief onstage question-and-answer session with cast members.
Further reading: Leoš Janáček's THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN • The Dallas Opera ↗
Check The Dallas Opera’s booking page for standard ticket prices. Subject to availability, $15 student and $25 educator tickets are offered at the box office beginning 90 minutes before curtain. Walk-up buyers need valid student or school ID; the limit is two tickets per valid ID.
Sales are generally final. Exchanges to another performance of the same opera may involve fees or a price difference; additional options apply if a performance is canceled, postponed or rescheduled.
Frequently Asked Questions • The Dallas Opera ↗ · Ticket Policies • The Dallas Opera ↗
The Dallas Opera estimates 1 hour and 45 minutes; AT&T Performing Arts Center estimates 1 hour and 40 minutes. Both list no intermission. Check your ticket or the event page for current details.
The lobby opens 90 minutes before curtain. Allow time for bag checks and metal-detector screening; late seating is at the house manager’s discretion.
Leoš Janáček's THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN • The Dallas Opera ↗ · The Dallas Opera | The Cunning Little Vixen | Winspear Opera House ↗ · Frequently Asked Questions • The Dallas Opera ↗
The venue lists assistive listening and other access services. Contact its access liaison at 214-978-3632 or [email protected] to discuss arrangements. For accessible seating, contact The Dallas Opera at 214-443-1000 or [email protected].
Winspear Opera House | AT&T Performing Arts Center ↗ · Accessibility at The Dallas Opera • The Dallas Opera ↗
Winspear Opera House is at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201. The Dallas Opera directs DART riders on the Blue, Green, Orange or Red line to Pearl Street station; the arts center is three blocks north and one block east.
The Lexus Red Garage is beneath the Winspear, with its entrance on Jack Evans Street facing Booker T. Washington High School. Parking is paid and limited, including accessible spaces; day-of parking can be purchased at the entrance as capacity allows.
The Dallas Opera | The Cunning Little Vixen | Winspear Opera House ↗ · Directions & Parking • The Dallas Opera ↗
No. English titles are projected above the stage while the opera is sung in Czech.
Leoš Janáček's THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN • The Dallas Opera ↗
The Dallas Opera welcomes children ages five and older to suitable mainstage performances and recommends checking the synopsis and content information. The Vixen is killed in the story. Everyone attending needs a ticket.
Leoš Janáček's THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN • The Dallas Opera ↗ · Frequently Asked Questions • The Dallas Opera ↗
The East Lobby performance box office opens 90 minutes before curtain for in-person purchases unless the performance is sold out. It accepts major credit cards but not cash.
The Dallas Opera does not allow food or beverages inside McDermott Hall during its performances.
2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-10-29 against the linked sources.