Phoenix: Tucson: Opera

The Arizon Opera's 2010-2011 Season

GENERAL DIRECTOR SCOTT ALTMAN REVEALS REPERTORY AND CASTING TO OVER

1,000 LISTENERS IN AN INNOVATIVE LIVE TELECONFERENCE

Company’s 40^TH Season Includes Five Productions, Featuring Two Company Premieres:

Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance (Company Premiere), Bizet’s Carmen

(New Production), Puccini’s Turandot, Verdi’s Otello and

Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio (Company Premiere)  

Artistic Director Joel Revzen To Conduct The Pirates of Penzance, Carmen and Otello  

In a live teleconference Arizona Opera General Director Scott Altman announced repertory and casting for the Company’s 40^th season. Twenty-five performances of five fully staged opera productions - two of which are new to Arizona Opera - are planned for the 2010–11 Season.

The season launches in Tucson on October 16 with the company premiere of Gilbert and Sullivan’s rollicking comedy The Pirates of Penzance. Bizet’s passionate Carmen opens in November in a daring new production, Puccini’s exotic Turandot returns to the AZO stage in January for the first time in a decade and Verdi’s dramatic Otello opens in March. Mozart’s lighthearted comedy The Abduction from the Seraglio – a company premiere – ends the season in a splash of vivid hues and whimsy.

“I am proud to lead Arizona Opera into its historic 40^th season. The company has experienced tremendous growth since its founding in 1971,” said General Director Scott Altman, “and the 2010-11 season expands our vision of what is possible. The current economic situation has challenged our company as well as all arts organizations and we have made the difficult but necessary decisions in order to meet those challenges. I am steadfast in my belief that Arizona Opera will not only survive but thrive into its future. The role of a general director is to not only maintain the company in a sustainable manner but to ensure that its spirit and artistic integrity is protected. And it is with great pleasure that I announce a season which not only upholds our artistic mission but exceeds those expectations. This is a season of opera at its grandest with a few surprises and innovations. Arizona Opera’s history was created by the first ticket buyer who joined us for our inaugural performance in 1971 and we have honored that trust when creating our 2010-11 season.”

The 2010-11 Season includes the Company debuts of several renowned artists, including soprano Jill Gardner (Liu/Turandot), Jennifer Black (Desdemona/Otello) and Sarah Callinan (Blonde/The Abduction from the Seraglio); mezzo-soprano Beth Clayton (Carmen/Carmen); tenors Fernando de la Mora (Jose/Carmen), Arnold Rawls (Calaf/Turandot) and Allan Glassman (Otello/Otello.)

Many acclaimed and well loved singers will be returning to Arizona Opera, including two sopranos who performed in the 2009-2010 Season Janinah Burnett (Micaela/Carmen) performed Mimi in La bohème and Caitlin Lynch (Costanza/The Abduction from the Seraglio) made her Arizona Opera debut as Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte. Arizona Opera favorite mezzo-soprano Korby Myrick (Ruth/The Pirates of Penzance) has performed over forty roles with the company.

Tenor Garrett Sorenson (Jose/Carmen) performed the role of the Duke in Rigoletto in 08-09 and Tonio DiPaolo (Calaf/Turandot) performed the role of Alfred in Die Fledermaus in 07-08. Three baritones who performed in the 08-09 Season return to our stage Curt Olds (Pirate King/The Pirates of Penzance) was in the title role of The Mikado,  Steven Condy (Major General/The Pirates of Penzance) performed as Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love and Luis Ledesma (Escamillo/Carmen) performed Scarpia in Tosca. Basses Robert Gierlach (Iago/Otello) performed the title role in Don Giovanni in 08-09 and Peter Strummer (Pasha Selim/The Abduction from the Seraglio) sings Bartolo in this season’s The Barber of Seville.

Arizona Opera welcomes the company debuts of acclaimed directors Trevor Ross (Carmen) and John Hoomes (Otello) and the return of Kelly Robinson (The Abduction from the Seraglio) director of The Mikado in 08-09 and Bernard Uzan (Turandot) director of Tosca in 08-09.  

“In the 2010-11 Season I will enter my eighth year with Arizona Opera, the company’s 40^th birthday, and I feel a part of this company’s legacy, “ said Artistic Director Joel Revzen. “ Each year the company reveals new facets of this wonderful art form. I have had the pleasure of nurturing new emerging talent through our Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artist program and the privilege to work along side such acclaimed artists as Stephanie Blythe, Gordon Hawkins and Dolora Zajick. I conducted the company premieres of one of the 20^th century’s seminal opera’s Menotti’s The Consul and our first Baroque opera Handel’s Semele as well as leading over 20 opera productions with this wonderful company. Upcoming is a season of five fully staged productions, two exciting company premieres and a roster of some of the finest voices in opera. Our 40^th season will continue to make history.”

The Company shared the details about the 2010-11 Season with over 1,000 patrons who called in or logged on to take part in an interactive teleconference. The conversation with General Director Scott Altman was hosted by KBAQ 89.5 F.M. on-air personality Katrina Becker. The half hour conversation discussed the repertory, debuting and returning acclaimed artists, directors and designers and revealed a few insider secrets about the exciting season ahead. 

Utilizing advanced technology new to Arizona Opera, listeners were able to submit questions prior to or during the live talk. 

KBAQ, 89.5 F.M. known as Metro Phoenix’s classical companion has a strong history with Arizona Opera. For over 15 years KBAQ’s Production Studio has recorded each of the company’s live opera performances and in partnership with the station rebroadcast them the following year during Saturday at the Opera.

Announcer, Producer, and Public Affairs Coordinator Katrina Becker is a long time friend of Arizona Opera. Becker hosts Saturday at the Opera on 89.5, and she's on the air every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Monday evenings starting at 7:00 p.m.

Season subscriptions are now on sale. In these challenging economic times, Arizona Opera is committed to providing high-quality entertainment at affordable prices. Mini flex packages begin at only $80. 

All Phoenix performances are at Symphony Hall, 75 North Second Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.  Tucson performances are at the Tucson Music Hall, 260 South Church Tucson, Arizona 85701-1614. 

For ticket information call the box office in Phoenix at 602-266-7464 and Tucson at 520-293-4336. Box office hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Queries can also be sent to info@azopera.com.  Single tickets are available to the public beginning in August 2010 and can also be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets by calling 1.800.982.2787 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Arizona Opera is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit performing arts organization. It was established in Tucson 37 years ago and has grown to include a five-opera, October-April season in two cities.

Phoenix Entertainment Magazine

Tucson Entertainment Magazine

Arizona Opera 2010-2011
Season Schedule

The Pirates of Penzance by W. S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan

• Tucson:  October 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.; October 17 at 2:00 p.m.
• Phoenix: October 22 & 23, 2010 at 7:30p.m.; October 24 at 2:00 p.m.

Carmen by Georges Bizet

• Tucson:  November 13, 2010 at 7:30p.m.; November 14 at 2:00 p.m.
• Phoenix:  November 19 & 20, 2010 at 7:30p.m.; November 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Turandot by Giacomo Puccini

• Phoenix:  January 21 & 22, 2011 at 7:30 p.m; January 23 at 2:00 p.m.
• Tucson:  January 29, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.; January 30 at 2:00 p.m.

Otello by Giuseppe Verdi

• Tucson:  March 5, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.; March 6 at 2:00 p.m.
• Phoenix:  March 11 & 12, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.; March 13 at 2:00 p.m.

The Abduction from the Seraglio by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

• Phoenix:  April 8 & 9, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.; April 10 at 2:00 p.m.
• Tucson:  April 16, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.; April 17 at 2:00 p.m.

Insiders' Guide to Tucson, 5th (Insiders' Guide Series) (Paperback)

by Mary Paganelli Votto (Author)

Highlighting the city's Spanish and Native American traditions, this guide details the infinite opportunities available for locals and residents alike to enjoy Tucson's arts, history, and natural heritage. With sections on relocation, neighborhoods, and retirement as well as restaurants, lodging, and attractions, this guide is perfect for both the newcomer and tourist.

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 5.00 edition (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English