ARIZONA OPERA innovates to create a compelling new season By Michelle Glicksman
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ven while Arizona Opera, like the rest of the arts world, faces the uncertainty of the current pandemic, Joseph Specter, its president and general director, says the company is striving to expand its impact in the face of today’s challenges. “This moment has caused us to take a harder look at our connection to community, the level of service we’re providing and the unique opportunities to grow our contribution to those we serve,” he explains. “Traditional cultural art forms across the country, such as opera, ballet and symphony, have struggled for years with the question of expanding their reach and impact, even during ‘normal’ times. This crisis has sharpened our focus in a way that I believe can ultimately allow us not just to survive, but to grow our civic value significantly and in compelling new ways. “We’re committed to whatever amount of adaptation and innovation is necessary to fulfill our mission to serve this community through the art form of opera — and in ways that are safe and comfortable for our patrons,” he continues. “It’s more important now than ever, as people are in need of the beauty, storytelling and connection that our art form provides so abundantly. It is so motivational for me and our organization that we are striving for something innovative — completely reimagining our upcoming season — for the potential benefit of so many.” That innovation has indeed led the organization not to retreat, but to rethink how to present 16
what it will provide in the season ahead. It started by inaugurating its newly structured programming on Oct. 2 in Phoenix and Oct. 4 in Tucson with socially distanced outdoor recitals performed by members of the organization’s prestigious and elite Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio in the company’s new Studio Spotlight Series. Future performances will occur a number of times over the season, with Phoenix shows generally being held on the first Friday of the month and Tucson shows being held two days later, on the first Sunday of the month. For those who prefer to watch from home, at least one of each month’s shows will also be livestreamed via Arizona Opera’s website. “We’re one of very few opera companies in the country that performs in multiple cities, and we’re very proud to do so,” Specter says. To ensure that everyone associated with any in-person performance is as safe as possible, all appropriate social distancing protocols will be enforced, including ensuring a significant distance between the singer and the first row of seats and the piano, and required maskwearing for all attendees. “Also in the vein of live performances during the upcoming season, we are planning a concert series called Arizona Arias, which will feature some of the leading singers from the opera world, along with members of the Arizona Opera Orchestra,” Specter says.
