Arizona Opera is unveiling a bold initiative in October, designed to introduce opera to new audiences by bringing live performances to unexpected venues across the state. The Beyond Downtown program, which will take place in the fall and spring, will reach beyond the walls of the theaters where the company typically performs. Shows begin on October 25 in Phoenix and October 30 in Tucson.
“With Beyond Downtown, we’re excited to bring opera closer to more Arizona communities. By stepping outside our traditional theaters, we’re creating opportunities for people across Arizona to experience opera in new, approachable, and engaging settings,” Joseph Specter, President and General Director of Arizona Opera, said.
This initiative kicks off with two distinct operatic works in late October and continues in the coming months with a pop-up performance program and an immersive performance of a Mozart classic scheduled for spring.
THE TELL-TALE HEART
The Tell-Tale Heart by Gregg Kallor is a chilling one-act opera inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tale. As the narrator descends into madness, guests can immerse themselves in the psychological horror, enhanced by a spine-tingling score and eerie atmosphere. An optional pre-show experience will feature a dramatic story reading and a complimentary themed drink.
October 25, 2024, at 8 p.m.: Arizona Opera Center (Phoenix)
October 26, 2024, at 8 p.m.: Arizona Opera Center (Phoenix)
October 30, 2024, at 8 p.m.: Cabaret Theater at Temple of Music and Art (Tucson)
THE COYOTES & THE RABBITS
The Coyotes & the Rabbits by Héctor Armienta is a one-act bilingual opera inspired by a Mexican Folk tale. Join the Chiquita Banana Sisters in a whimsical adventure where mischief meets life lessons. When Scrawny Coyote discovers that reading is just as essential as hunting, he gets tangled up in the sisters’ playful tricks against his cousin, Loco Coyote. This is produced in collaboration with the San Jose-based Ópera Cultura.
October 27, 2024, at 2 p.m.: The Virginia G. Piper Theater at Mesa Arts Center
November 2, 2024, at 1 p.m.: Steele Auditorium at the Heard Museum
November 9, 2024, at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.: Children’s Museum Tucson
Future “Beyond Downtown” performances include:
OPERA SHOTS
In the fall, Opera Shots, in partnership with Chandler Opera Company, will be the final entry for Beyond Downtown. Through Opera Shots, performers bring opera to venues such as bars, restaurants, and retail spaces through lively pop-up performances for all to enjoy.
THE SECRET GARDENER
A story full of mistaken identities, love triangles and madness, The Secret Gardener brings Mozart’s rarely performed opera, La finta giardiniera, to life in an immersive outdoor setting. This tale offers audiences a unique experience where the natural environment becomes a compelling part of the storytelling and is presented in partnership with the production’s originator, New York City-based On Site Opera.
“We hope this initiative will foster new connections with our broader community and allow more people to discover the beauty and emotion that opera can bring to everyday life,” Specter said.
Since its inaugural year in 1971 as the Tucson Opera Company, Arizona Opera has produced over 200 staged operas and concerts. The company’s artistic history is rich with a blend of traditional canon works, compelling works from the 20th and 21st centuries, and an array of high-impact educational and community engagement programs. For more information, visit azopera.org.
