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ARIZONA OPERA TO CANCEL ITS APRIL PRODUCTION OF ARIADNE AUF NAXOS

Monday, March 16, 2020

THE DECISION WAS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTION FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AND GOVERNOR’S OFFICE RECOMMENDING THE CANCELLATION OF ALL MASS GATHERINGS

 

Numerous Other Arizona Opera-related Events and Activities have also been Cancelled through mid-May – Complete List Included

 

Arizona Opera’s upcoming production of Ariadne auf Naxos, scheduled for April performances in both Phoenix and Tucson, has been cancelled. The decision not to present the work was made following the most recent guidance from the White House, as well as an announcement from the Governor’s Office recommending that mass gatherings over the next eight weeks should be cancelled in an effort to slowdown the spread of COVID-19.

Arizona Opera’s President and General Director, Joseph Specter, stated, “Our organization’s first concern is for the health and well-being of our artists, our staff, our audiences, and our community. For this reason, as painful as it is for everyone involved, we stand fully behind the guidance of the White House and the leadership of our state in order to support the containment of the COVID-19 virus.”

Sharon Landis, Arizona Opera Board Chair, noted, “The ongoing health of our organization – both literally and figuratively – is of paramount concern not only to Arizona Opera’s Board of Directors, its hard-working staff, and the talented artists it employs, but to the tens of thousands of people across our state who support our beloved company in so many invaluable ways.” Mr. Specter added, “Now more than ever, we must rally together to ride out what will undoubtedly be a difficult and challenging period in our country’s – and our state’s – history. We at Arizona Opera are prepared to do just that. We gratefully acknowledge and thank the many singers, musicians and craftsmen whose talents will not be experienced and enjoyed by our audiences in this particular production. We are also extremely appreciative for the deep level of continuing support that comes from so many across our state who love our company, this art form, and the beauty that the arts bring to the world.”

Ticketholders are encouraged to donate the value of their tickets to the opera as a tax-deductible contribution or use the funds to purchase tickets for a future performance in Arizona Opera’s 2020/21 Season. Donated tickets or other additional contributions made will greatly help to ensure that Arizona Opera stays responsive and resilient during this incredibly challenging time. Those individuals holding tickets to Ariadne auf Naxos may contact the Arizona Opera box office at 602.266.7464 (Phoenix) or 520.293.4336 (Tucson) or at boxoffice@azopera.org to discuss their full set of ticket options.

 

In addition to Ariadne auf Naxos, Arizona Opera will also be cancelling the following events and activities:

− Bravo Dinner (Phoenix) – March 20 (previously announced)

Ariadne “Operatif” – March 25

− Coffee at Kerr – March 25

− Lecture at Sagewood – March 26

− Bravo Vino (Tucson) – March 28 (previously announced)

Ariadne Book Club (Phoenix) – March 30

Ariadne Student Night – April 1

− Bravo Backstage Tour – April 1

Ariadne Book Club (Tucson) – April 6

− Bravo Dinner (Tucson) – April 7 (previously announced)

Cinderella at the Opera Center – April 7

− Prescott League Annual Gala – April 8 (previously announced)

− Brown Bag Lunch – April 9

− Valley Friends Farewell Potluck – April 14

 

As circumstances warrant, Arizona Opera will continue to keep its supporters, the general public and the media informed of any future changes to its on-going activities due to the impact of COVID-19.

For further information, please contact Tom Michel, Director of Marketing, Communications & PR at tmichel@azopera.org or 702.533.0075.

 

ABOUT ARIZONA OPERA

Arizona Opera, now in its 48th season, produces fully-staged operas, concerts, and collaborative programs throughout the state of Arizona each season, and is among only a handful of companies in the U.S. that regularly performs in more than one city. Arizona Opera elevates the transformative power of storytelling through music, cultivating community and strengthening a state and people as adventurous and diverse as the place they call home. Since its inaugural year in 1971, Arizona Opera has produced more than 175 fully-staged operas and concerts. The company’s artistic history is rich with a blend of opera’s traditional repertoire featuring baroque, bel canto, and verismo works, turn-of-the-century masterpieces, operettas, and American operas.