Arizona Opera's Falstaff - Shakespeare's Buffoon Takes Stage in Phoenix and Tucson
(Phoenix, Tucson) Never before seen on the Arizona Opera stage, Verdi's Falstaff comes to life in this new production opening April Fools' Day. Irascible, randy and boastful, John Falstaff concocts a scheme to seduce the wealthy Wives of Windsor and nab their riches. His plot quickly unravels in a series of elaborate pranks as the clever women enlist everyone to outwit the old rascal. Based on the Shakespearean character, Falstaff was Verdi's final opera, and some consider his finest.
He's a Glutton...For Punishment
Arizona Opera presents Falstaff
Opening April Fool's Day
The character of Falstaff, the gluttonous buffoon has been a familiar archetype for centuries, from Shakespeare's time to today's Homer Simpson. This hilarious comedy centers around the eternal battle of the sexes with some of the most lush orchestral phrasing ever composed.
Tickets start at $25 and are on sale at www.azopera.org or by calling 602-266-7464 (Phoenix) or 520-293-4336 (Tucson).
ON-STAGE EXPERIENCE
Upgrade to the Gallery seating, located on-stage, for $175 per seat.
The Gallery Package includes on-stage seating in the Patron Boxes in the"Old Globe" Replica Theater, a pre-performance reception and commemorative photo.
Arrive at the theater one hour prior to curtain for a pre-performance chat with Arizona Opera Director of Education, Joshua Borths.
FALSTAFF CAST
Craig Colclough ;- Falstaff
Bass-Baritone Craig Colclough returns to the Arizona Opera stage as the title role in Falstaff. He began his career at the Los Angeles Opera and after two seasons appearing with the company in various roles, Mr. Colclough joined Florida Grand Opera's Young Artist Studio. In 2012, he became a Filene Young Artist at the Wolf Trap Opera Company. Previously, Mr. Colclough played the lead role in the comic Don Pasquale during Arizona Opera's 2013/14 season: "Colclough's lascivious bluster in no way undermines his vocal gymnastics."
-Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic
David Adam Moore - Ford
Also returning to the Arizona Opera stage is baritone David Adam Moore as Ford. Last season, Mr. Moore took the stage as the lead role in the production of Eugene Onegin. Sought after on international stages, the Texas native has also joined the Teatro alla Scala for Demetrius in A Midsummer Nights Dream and Cascada in The Merry Widow after first joining the company for Maximilian in Robert Carsen's production of Candide, which he also sang at the Théâtre du Châtelet as well as in Hyogo and Tokyo, Japan.
Karen Slack - Alice Ford
Hailed by critics for possessing a lustrous voice of extraordinary beauty and artistry of
great dramatic depth American soprano Karen Slack makes her role debut as Alice Ford. She was most recently seen as both Tosca and Leonora in Il Trovatore with Arizona Opera, in Beethoven's 9th with Alabama Symphony, and a feature on the silver screen and soundtrack in Tyler Perry's movie "For Colored Girls" as the Operatic Diva. She appeared as Serena in Porgy and Bess with both San Francisco Opera and Washington National Opera. She has sung Verdi's Aida with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Cilla in Richard Danielpour's Margret Garner opposite Denyce Graves with the Michigan Opera Theater, Agnes Sorel opposite Dolora Zajick in Tchaikovsky's Maid of Orleans with the San Francisco Opera and at Carnegie Hall. In 2006 Karen stepped in to make her Metropolitan Opera and International broadcast debut in the title role of Verdi's Luisa Miller.
The cast also includes Heather Phillips as Nanetta and Dana Beth Miller as Mistress Quickly, Javier Abreu as Fenton and Alyssa Martin as Meg Page. Eric Melear makes his company debut as conductor and the performance will be directed by Chuck Hudson. Hudson teamed with Craig Colclough for the production of Arizona Opera's Don Pasquale (April 2014) which was greatly received by critics and audiences alike.
FALSTAFF
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Arrigo Boito
Sung in Italian with English supertitles
Phoenix Performances
April 1 & 2, 7:30pm April 3, 2:00pm
Symphony Hall 75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix
Tucson Performances
April 9, 7:30pm April 10, 2:00pm
Tucson Music Hall 260 S. Church St., Tucson
Tickets: $25- $135
www.azopera.org
602-266-7464 (Phx) 520-293-4335 (Tuc)
FALSTAFF
Outreach and Education Events
PHOENIX EVENTS
Coffee at Kerr
Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - 10:30am
ASU Kerr Cultural Center
6110 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Join us for a free music and lecture series at the Kerr Cultural Center.
Get a detailed look at each opera and receive exclusive, behind-the-scenes information about our productions. This lecture series is ideal for all opera lovers- of all ages.
Opératif: Falstaff
Friday, March 25, 2016 - 6:30pm
Arizona Opera Center
1636 N. Central Ave
Enjoy a glass of wine and discuss details of a main stage opera with General Director Ryan Taylor. Guests are invited "behind the scenes" to view a portion of the opera's final rehearsal at Arizona Opera Center. Registration is required. $25 per person.
Arizona Opera Book Club Meeting: The Merry Wives of Windsor
Monday, March 28, 2016 - 7:00pm
Changing Hands'
Phoenix location (300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013)
Join us for a discussion of The Merry Wives of Windsor, by William Shakespeare and featuring a guest lecture by Arizona State University professor Brandley Ryner.
Mention that you're a member of the Arizona Opera Book Club and receive 20% off hard cover books and 10% off paperback books (Discount only applicable for Book Club Titles).
Student Night at the Opera: Falstaff
Wednesday, March 30, 2016 - 7:00pm Special tickets are available for the final dress rehearsal of every mainstage opera. These nights are reserved specifically for students to get swept away by great music and stories- while enhancing classroom learning with pre and post-show presentations. Registration is required.
Symphony Hall
72 N. 2nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85004
Exploring Verdi Lecture Series
Arizona Opera Center
1636 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Join Education Manager Joshua Borths for this exclusive lecture series exploring opera's most popular composer. These lectures will explore the music, life and times of Giuseppe Verdi. Enjoy wine and light refreshments as you learn how Italian opera began and how Verdi transformed the artform through the power of his music and drama. Tickets are $65 for the entire lecture series. Registration is required.
Part 1
Wednesday, April 6, 2016 - 7:00pm
Part 2
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 - 7:00pm
Part 3
Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 7:00pm
Brown Bag Lunch Recital
April 21, 2016, 12:15-12:45pm
Arizona Opera Center
1636 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Bring your lunch and enjoy a 30-minute recital presented by Arizona Opera's Studio Artists. Join us for a free 30-minute concert on the third Thursday of the month and see our talented Studio Artists perform a wide variety of opera classics in the Arizona Opera Atrium. The Brown Bag Lunch Recital is free and open to the public, no reservations are required.
TUCSON EVENTS
Brown Bag Opera: Falstaff
Friday, March 25, 2016 - 12:00pm
Grace St. Paul Episcopal Church
2331 E. Adams St., Tucson AZ 85719
Audiences are invited to bring a sack lunch and enjoy a second performance of Say Hello to Opera on Fridays prior to Arizona Opera's mainstage performances. OGSA provides free cookies, coffee and tea. These events are free and do not require prior registration. If you have any questions, please call Patrick Schifano at 520-825-1563 or email him at buonasorte2@gmail.com.
Say Hello to Opera: Falstaff
Wednesday, March 30, 2016 - 3:00pm
Oro Valley Library
1305 W. Naranja Dr
Oro Valley AZ
Enjoy University of Arizona vocal arts students singing key arias from shows in Arizona Opera's 2015/16 season. These free opera previews are held prior to each Arizona Opera mainstage opera. A narrator will give the libretto and a brief biography of the composer. Please call Patrick Schifano (520) 594-5580 or email buonasorte2@gmail.com with any questions.
Arizona Opera Book Club Meeting: The Merry Wives of Windsor
Monday, April 4, 2016 - 6:00pm
Join us at the University of Arizona for a discussion of The Merry Wives of Windsor, by William Shakespeare.
The Ring Cycle Lecture
Tucson Museum of Art
140 E. Main Ave
Tucson, Arizona 85710
Join Education Manager Joshua Borths for this exclusive lecture series exploring opera's most monumental (and controversial) work. These three Thursday night lectures on April 7th, 14th and 21st, walk participants through Wagner's Ring Cycle. Spend three evenings decoding and demystifying these operas while enjoying appetizers and refreshments. Tickets are $60 for the entire lecture series. Registration is required.
Part 1
Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Part 2
Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Part 3
Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.