Arizona Opera is set to adapt a graphic novel of Bizet’s “Carmen” on Kickstarter. The graphic novel adaptation will be written by Alek Shrader and illustrated by artist P. Craig Russell and Aneke. It will also be lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. “It’s a thrill for Arizona Opera to share the work of this remarkable team of artists through the graphic {…}
The Arizona Opera has updated COVID-19 protocols. The company noted that in alignment with the most recent CDC guidelines, it will require boosters for all eligible attendees. In a statement, the Arizona Opera said “beginning March 1 with the production of ‘A Little Night Music,’ attendees who are eligible for boosters must present proof of completion of their booster dose {…}
Arizona Opera’s former technical director Peter Nolle has passed away. Nolle suffered a heart attack while bike riding in his native Germany, where he traveled with his family for the holidays. Nolle, who was born and raised in Hamburg, Germany, studied fine arts and scenic design and worked as Set Designer in multiple Theatres in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. He {…}
The Arizona Opera has announced the appointment of Courtney D. Clark to the position of Director of Community Alliances. Clark will take over the position starting on Oct. 11 and will manage and grow the community engagement programs, seeking programmatic and partnership opportunities that will help to advance the company’s goal of becoming a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. {…}
The Arizona Opera has announced initial plans for its 2021-22 season celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary. Arizona Opera’s President and General Director, Joseph Specter said in a press release, Our 50th Anniversary Season would be a reason to celebrate in and of itself as we begin to emerge from this challenging pandemic year. It is made that much more meaningful {…}
Arizona Opera has announced a number of new programs and initiatives that will make up the company’ss reimagined 2020-21 season. Running from November 20-22 will be the new Outdoor Opera Film Festival, which comes in collaboration with The Metropolitan Opera. The festival will feature screenings of the Met’s “Live in HD” productions of “La Traviata,” “The Barber of Seville,” and {…}
(Credit: Craig Smith) Recognizing the current public health challenges due to COVID-19, Arizona Opera announced that it will be replacing its planned “in-theater” productions for the 2020-21 Season with alternative programs. Arizona Opera’s 2020-21 Season is currently scheduled to begin on Friday, October 2 in Phoenix and on Sunday, October 4 in Tucson, with outdoor performances by members of Arizona {…}
With the 2019-20 season fully underway, we have found this challenge of selecting a choice few operas every weekend increasingly challenging as there is really a lot of special work going on around North America. Nonetheless, as per usual, we have whittled it down to five works that we think will bring a balanced operatic diet for those who want {…}
It’s a big weekend in North America with four major companies opening their doors for the first time in 2019-20. As such, we have a plethora of major works to recommend, including two new operas that are sure to fulfill the interest of those who want something a bit different from the familiar path. Here are our top five*** opera {…}
With an excellent cast and fine playing from the orchestra under Conductor Dean Williamson, Arizona Opera presented Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” at Phoenix Symphony Hall on April 5, 2019. Moral High Ground Stage Director Tara Faircloth chose to expand upon the amusing situations in Lorenzo da Ponte’s libretto, so that cast members were often running around the {…}
Since finishing his ensemble position at the Semperoper Dresden, baritone Zachary Nelson has built a formidable resume making important company and role debuts. Now he adds another major company debut in his favorite Mozart opera, “Le Nozze di Figaro.” The American baritone will make his first appearances with Arizona Opera as the Count in a new production. The season will {…}