Arizona Opera to celebrate composer Emmerich Kálmán & The West
(Phoenix, Tucson) The story of Arizona Lady is told for laughs. Centered on the efforts of the feisty Lona Farrell to succeed at ranching in her new Arizona home, it combines the state's cowboy heritage and Southwestern flair with the banter, wacky characters and plot twists of comedic Viennese operetta. Lona confronts thieves, romance and horseracing in equal measure.
Composer Emmerich Kálmán penned light-hearted fare after dark days of WWII
Lona's story has its roots in real life, however. Arizona Lady composer Emmerich Kálmán was a Hungarian immigrant, a Jewish artist who fled Austria for the United States under the threat of Nazi persecution. His love of the bold and brassy Western, and the American musical take on it in shows like Oklahoma!, grew during his time as an expatriate. The uplifting tone of Arizona Lady is in sharp contrast to Kálmán's harrowing experiences just a few years before it was written in 1953.
Comedic Southwestern Operetta Arizona Lady Draws on Jewish Experience
Arizona Opera's presentation of Kálmán's work is part of the Rediscovered Voices Festival, supported by the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix. The events included range from presentations on stories of the Wild West to the music of Jewish composers. The events let audience members learn more about the context in which Arizona Lady was created, and the way a combination of influences—Kálmán's love of the American West; the challenges faced by Jewish musicians and composers in the WWII era; and the lyrical and artistic traditions of opera—come together to make Arizona Lady a unique and wonderful experience.
Daughter Yvonne Kálmán to attend all performances of the US Opera company premiere
Kálmán's daughter, Yvonne Kálmán, will arrive in Arizona to attend all performances of the US opera company premiere of her father's work. This will be the first professional production of Arizona Lady ever created in the U.S. and she will be attending to represent the Kálmán family.
The Arizona Opera has partnered with Arizona State University's Center for Jewish Studies, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix and the Jewish Community Center, among other community organizations, to bring the Festival to Phoenix and Tucson.
"The Arizona Opera is to be congratulated for bringing Arizona Lady to the attention of music lovers in Arizona and for preserving the beautiful work of Emmerich Kálmán." - Hava Tirosh-Samuelson, Professor of History & Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at ASU
Arizona Opera to host Rediscovered Voices Festival to celebrate the creation of Arizona Lady
The Rediscovered Voices Festival will be held in the weeks leading up to the performances of Kálmán's Arizona Lady, which will premiere in Tucson, October 10 & 11 in the Tucson Music Hall and in Phoenix, October 16-18 in Symphony Hall. The Rediscovered Voices Festival includes lectures, film screenings and performances and are free to the public unless indicated otherwise. Tickets to Arizona Lady and more information about the Festival are available at www.azopera.org or by calling 602-266-7464 (Phx) or 520-293-4336 (Tuc).
Arizona Opera: Rediscovered Voices Festival
(September 17 - October 18)
Phoenix Events
Brown Bag Lunch Recital
September 17, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
Bring a bagged lunch and listen to opera highlights.
Arizona Opera Center
1636 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
The Music & Stories of the West
September 24, 11 a.m.
Free concert and lecture with composer Craig Bohmler
Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale
Brundibár by Hans Krása
September 27, 1 p.m.
One-act children's opera that premiered in the Theresienstadt concentration camp. Featuring the Phoenix Boys Chorus
Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center
12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
Coffee @ Kerr
September 30, 10:30 a.m.
Free lecture discussion open to the community
Kerr Cultural Center
6110 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
Operátif
October 2, 6:30 p.m.
Glass of wine and behind the scenes tour
Arizona Opera Center
1636 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
$25; RSVP at 602.266.7464
Arizona Book Club Special Event
Conversations with Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Allan Day,
Moderated by Arizona Opera General Director, Ryan Taylor
Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 2 pm
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor makes a special visit to Arizona to discuss her book and life growing up in Arizona.
Arizona Opera Center
1636 N. Central Ave.
The Music & Stories of Jewish Composers
October 7, 7 p.m.
This free concert and lecture features Arizona Opera vocalists. Audiences will explore music from Jewish refugee composers, as well as other selections from the middle of the 20th century. Selections will include music from Arizona Lady, Brundibár and Der Kaiser von Atlantis, among others.
In association with ASU College of Liberal Arts, Jewish Studies and a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation
Congregation Beth Israel
10406 N. 56th St., Scottsdale
Arizona Opera Book Club Meeting: Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the Southwest
October 12, 7 p.m.
Changing Hands Bookstore
300 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix
Film Festival: Calamity Jane
October 13, 7 p.m.
Film about the life of Calamity Jane in the American West
Arizona Opera Center
1636 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Film Festival: Cowgirls: Portrait of American Ranch Women
October 15, 7 p.m.
Film celebrating women who pioneered the Western frontier
Arizona Opera Center
1636 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Arizona Opera is proud to partner with No Festival Required for the Rediscovered Voices film screenings.
Arizona Lady
By Emmerich Kálmán
October 16 & 17 at 7:30 and October 18 at 2:00 pm
Symphony Hall
75 N. 2nd St.
Arizona Opera becomes the first major U.S. opera house to premiere Emmerich Kálmán's musical treasure. Written in 1953 as a love letter to the Southwest, the hopes & dreams of leading lady Lona Farrell ride on the back of one horse, "Arizona Lady", winning the Kentucky Derby. Reminiscent of the greatest Golden-age Hollywood musical comedies, Arizona Lady is full of lively, upbeat music, cheerful, soaring arias, and a wacky libretto, sure to make you smile as bright as the Arizona sun.
Tickets start at $25 at www.azopera.org or 602-266-7464
Tucson Events
Brundibár by Hans Krása
September 20, 3 p.m.
One-act children's opera that premiered in the Thresiendstadt concentration camp. Featuring the Phoenix Boys Chorus
Tucson Jewish Community Center
3800 E. River Rd., Tucson
The Music & Stories of Jewish Composers
September 26, 2 p.m.
Free concert and lecture about Jewish refugee composers
Tucson Museum of Art
140 N. Main Ave., Tucson
Say Hello to Opera
September 30, 3 p.m.
University of Arizona vocal arts students sing arias from Arizona Lady
Oro Valley Library
1305 W. Naranja Dr., Oro Valley
Film Festival: The Brothers Warner
September 30, 7 p.m.
Film about filmmakers Harry, Albert, Sam and Jack Warner
Tucson Jewish Community Center
3800 E. River Rd., Tucson
Brown Bag Lunch Recital
October 2, noon
Bring a bagged lunch and listen to arias from Arizona Lady
Grace St. Paul Episcopal Church
2331 E. Adams St., Tucson
Arizona Opera Book Club Meeting: Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the Southwest
October 5, 7 p.m.
University of Arizona Poetry Center
1508 E. Helen St., Tucson
Translation with Alberto Ríos
October 6, 7 p.m.
Arizona poet laureate Albert Ríos discusses the art of translation
The University of Arizona Poetry Center
1508 E. Helen St., Tucson
Student Night
October 8
Lecture begins at 6 p.m.
Performance begins at 7 p.m.
Tucson Music Hall
260 S. Church Ave., Tucson
Registration is required for all Student Night performances. Visit www.azopera.org to register.
Arizona Lady
By Emmerich Kálmán
October 10 at 7:30 and October 11 at 2:00 pm
Tucson Music Hall
260. S. Church Ave
Arizona Opera becomes the first major U.S. opera house to premiere Emmerich Kálmán's musical treasure. Written in 1953 as a love letter to the Southwest, the hopes & dreams of leading lady Lona Farrell ride on the back of one horse, "Arizona Lady", winning the Kentucky Derby. Reminiscent of the greatest Golden-age Hollywood musical comedies, Arizona Lady is full of lively, upbeat music, cheerful, soaring arias, and a wacky libretto, sure to make you smile as bright as the Arizona sun.
Tickets start at $25 at www.azopera.org or 520-293-4336