Arizona Opera 2016/17 Season Brochure

The 45th Anniversary Season Presented By

“…Arizona Opera presents impressive productions that rival the best of this country’s regional opera companies.”

– KBAQ 89.5

“His luminous canvases of sculptural clouds stretched over distant mesas have become his stock-in-trade, earning his trademark incandescent sunsets the designation of an “Ed Mell Sky.”” –M useum of Northern Arizona, on Riders of the Purple Sage scenic designer Ed Mell

SE A

“…a winning combination of well-sung and visually exciting diverse productions…”

– Arizona Republic

“Everything about Arizona Opera’s production clicked, from the chorus, which never ceases to delight; to the orchestra, which sounded refreshingly alive…”

– Arizona Daily Star

“Gone are the days of antiquated productions from second rate opera companies, as Arizona Opera selects productions from the best American regional opera companies or produces its own versions that foster Arizona Opera’s national name.”

SON

– Arizona Republic

“…reaching out to new audiences while delivering a fulsome surprise to the audience it already has.”

– Arizona Republic

45th Anniversary

Sapphire Celebration Th e G re atest H its o f Verd i, Pu cc i n i & Moz art

with Frederica von Stade

Frederica von Stade photo: Eric Melear

International superstar Frederica von Stade arrives for a star-studded, sparkling celebration for our 45th Sapphire Anniversary. You’ll thrill as the full orchestra, chorus and cast join Ms. von Stade to perform the greatest hits of Verdi, Puccini and Mozart! Wear your brightest blue as the theater becomes a multi-faceted, glimmering jewel of sights and sounds.

T UCson OCT 9 | 2:00 pm Tucson Music Hall PHoeniX OCT 15 | 7:30 pm OCT 16 | 2:00 pm Symphony Hall

Cast & Creatives

Ari Pelto

Joshua Borths

Frederica von Stade

Conductor

Stage Director

Mezzo-Soprano

Laquita Mitchell

Andrew Stenson

Craig Verm

Andrea Shokery

Soprano

Tenor

Baritone

Soprano

Sara Gartland is “enchanting, with an expanse of surging sound.” Opera Today A n t o n í n D v o Rˇ á k

Rusalka T UCson Nov 19 | 7:30 pm Nov 20 | 2:00 pm Tucson Music Hall

When the water nymph Rusalka wants to be a part of our world, she sacrifices everything for the chance at true love. You think you know the story of this little mermaid, but the fairytale doesn’t break the surface.

Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s original story, Rusalka features dark forests, woodland sprites, and the glorious aria, “Song To The Moon.” Sara Gartland, who is “enchanting, with an expanse of surging sound,” (Opera Today) returns to take the title role. Sung in Czech with English supertitles.

Cast & Creatives

Steven White

Joshua Borths

Sara Gartland

Conductor

Stage Director

Rusalka

Melinda Whittington

Kevin Ray

Richard Paul Fink

Daveda Karanas

Rusalka

The Prince

Vodník

Ježibaba

Sister Cities Festival Nov 7 – 20 Join us as we explore Arizona’s diverse international partners, including Prague, which hosted the premiere of Rusalka. Learn how their stories—and fairytales—bring us together as a global community.

Production photo: Cory Weaver / Lyric Opera of Kansas City

PHoeniX Nov 11 & 12 | 7:30 pm Nov 13 | 2:00 pm Symphony Hall

Giacomo Puccini

Madama Butterfly

Production photo: Tim Fuller

With tender duets and the most breathtaking arias of all-time, Madama Butterfly encompasses a lifetime of hope and anticipation, betrayal and despair. Set in the idyllic village of Nagasaki, Japan, an innocent geisha’s love for an American naval officer leads to the ultimate heartbreak and tragedy.

Considered Puccini’s greatest masterpiece, Madama Butterfly takes audiences to the pinnacles and depths of human emotion, rightfully securing its place in the heavens.

Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

T UCson JAN 28 | 7:30 pm JAN 29 | 2:00 pm Tucson Music Hall

PHoeniX Feb 3 & 4 | 7:30 pm Feb 5 | 2:00 pm Symphony Hall

Cast & Creatives

Craig Kier

Matthew Ozawa

Sandra Lopez

Conductor

Stage Director

Cio-Cio-San

Rena Harms

Daniel Montenegro

Marco Cammarota

Levi Hernandez

Cio-Cio-San

Pinkerton

Pinkerton

Sharpless

Composed by

Craig Bohmler Libretto by

Steven M ark Ko hn from the book Riders of the Purple Sage, by Zane Grey Scenery by

Ed Mell

Riders of the Purple Sage Executive Producers

Billie Jo & Judd Herberger

PHoeniX Mar 3 & 4 | 7:30 pm Mar 5 | 2:00 pm Symphony Hall

Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Zane Grey, Riders of the Purple Sage will be the first world premiere produced by Arizona Opera. Follow this Wild West adventure through the sweeping vistas and massive canyons of the Southwest, brought to life by the vibrant work of world-renowned Arizona artist, Ed Mell. Sung in English with English supertitles.

Cast & Creatives

Keitaro Harada

Fenlon Lamb

Karin Wolverton

Conductor

Stage Director

Jane Withersteen

Laura Wilde

Morgan Smith

Joshua Jeremiah

Amanda Opuszynski

Jane Withersteen

Lassiter

Lassiter

Bess

Western Cultural Festival Feb 6 – Mar 5 Celebrate the American West through special events of art, film, story, and song to explore the land that shapes our past, present, and future.

Background painting: Ed Mell

T UCson Feb 25 | 7:30 pm Feb 26 | 2:00 pm Tucson Music Hall

Don’t miss this

World Premiere featuring sets painted by worldrenowned Arizona artist Ed Mell

Daniela Mack has “a virtuoso technique second to none.”

The Guardian

Gioachino Rossini

Cinderella (La Cenerentola)

Production photo: Matthew Starver / Opera Colorado

Soaring arias and outlandish hijinks abound in this delightful version of the classic story.

Angelina is forced to serve her stepfather, Don Magnifico, and his two ridiculous daughters.

With help from the prince’s tutor and a pair of beautiful bracelets, Angelina navigates the precarious court of Prince Ramiro, hoping to win his heart. Real-life sweethearts Daniela Mack (Carmen, 2016) and Alek Shrader bring this fun, vibrant fairytale to life. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

T UCson Apr 1 | 7:30 pm Apr 2 | 2:00 pm Tucson Music Hall PHoeniX Apr 7 & 8 | 7:30 pm Apr 9 | 2:00 pm Symphony Hall

Cast & Creatives

Dean Williamson

Crystal Manich

Daniela Mack

Conductor

Stage Director

Angelina

Alyssa Martin

Alek Shrader

Joseph Lattanzi

Stefano De Peppo

Angelina

Don Ramiro

Dandini

Don Magnifico

Don’t miss a single moment!

Ticket Packages & Prices Phoenix

Symphony Hall

Senior/Student Senior/Student

Yellow

Green

Blue

Blue

Purple

Purple

Orange

Pink

Full $550 $405 $350 $340 $230 $220 $180 $125

BALCONY

Mini $366 $300 $231 NA $177 NA $123 $75 Opening Nights: Oct 15*, Nov 11, Feb 3, Mar 3, Apr 7 Saturday Nights: Oct 15, Nov 12, Feb 4, Mar 4, Apr 8 Sunday Matinees: Oct 16, Nov 13, Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 9 Phoenix performances at Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix

Tucson

S TAGE

Tucson Music Hall

Senior/Student

Yellow Green Blue Purple Purple Orange Pink

Full $460 $360 $280 $205 $195 $135 $110

B AL C O N Y

Mini $324 $270 $231 $177 NA $123 $69 Saturday Nights: Oct 9*, Nov 19, Jan 28, Feb 25, Apr 1 Sunday Matinees: Oct 9, Nov 20, Jan 29, Feb 26, Apr 2 Tucson performances at Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church, Tucson

* Please mark your calendar; this is a different performance date from the regular schedule for this series. Seats will be assigned as close to your regular subscription locations as possible.

S TAGE

Full Season

MINI Season

Receive a ticket to all five operas, plus:

Receive a ticket to your choice of three operas, plus:

• Top Priority & Service

• Added Priority & Service

• Flexibility to Exchange Performances

• Flexibility to Exchange Performances

• Exclusive Pre-Sales and Discounts

• Exclusive Pre-Sales and Discounts

• Guaranteed Best Seats • Access to Pre-paid Garage Parking

3 Easy Payments Too much to commit? You can reserve the best seats now and pay in 3 easy installments. Ask the box office for details!

Are you under 40?

Then it’s time for you to go BOLD.

Design & Illustrations: www.causedesign.com

For only $100 get a BOLD Card worth six tickets to use however you prefer. That’s less than $17 per ticket to see any opera at any time with any one of your friends.

ID required. Find out more at azopera.org/boldcard

Order Today!

PHX 602-266-7464 TUC 520-293-4336

www.azopera.org

Production photo: Tim Fuller

- Arizona Republic, April 2016

“…serving up a delightsome dessert for the 2015-16 season.”

Presented By

Of f i c i a l Ai r l i n e

Of f i ci a l H o t e l Of f i c i a l P i a no