Q & A: Staff Sgt. 1st Class Ben Hilgert & Soprano Tess Altiveros on the upcoming Arizona Opera production of ‘The Falling and the Rising’

Coming back to this opera takes me back to the interviews. Every show I’m reminded, and humbled, that these are living stories. There are currently service members deployed in countries around the world on our behalf. I hope that participating in the experience of The Falling and the Rising brings audiences closer to understanding what it is that those men and women are going through.

– Staff Sgt. 1st Class Ben Hilgert