Arizona Opera Concludes its Season with Das Rheingold

Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Opera is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its acclaimed production of Richard Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle with Das Rheingold, opening in Phoenix April 6 – 8, and subsequently in Tucson April 14 and 15. The Company is thrilled to conclude its season with this ambitious Wagner work.

Celebrating A 20Th Anniversary of Wagner’s Ring Cycle

First in the sequence of the Ring Cycle, Das Rheingold tells an epic tale steeped in Norse mythology. When the dwarf Alberich steals the magical gold of the Rhinemaidens, he launches a power struggle with Wotan, ruler of the gods, that will shake the very foundations of the world. Driven by intense melodies and motifs, Das Rheingold brings the gods to life in this electrifying production. The talented Arizona Opera Orchestra will perform on stage, with stunning scenic set design and concept by Brian Staufenbiel, and dramatic video and projection designed by David Murakami.

“This is a real treat for all of us, as this is not the sort of production one would usually expect from a company of our scale, nor is this the quality of cast one would expect outside of the world’s largest opera houses,” stated John Johnson, Board Chair of Arizona Opera. “We are very grateful to the sponsors of this particular opera for making this extraordinary season finale possible.”

For Arizona Opera’s production of Das Rheingold, Joseph Rescigno serves as the Conductor and Music Director, with Brian Staufenbiel serving as Stage Director, both bringing a disciplined and dramatic approach to the stage. Mark Delavan, who critics have hailed as an “incisive vocal power and fierce theatrical acuity” and who is sought after throughout the United States and European as an artist of immense skill and strong character, performs as Wotan. A grand prize winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Rodell Rosel will play the role of Loge, bringing his excellent vocal coloration and precise acting to the stage. Grammy-award winning dramatic baritone Richard Paul Fink, a Wagner aficionado, returns to Arizona Opera’s stage and will perform the dramatic and disturbing role of Alberich.

The remaining cast members are Dennis Petersen who performs as Mime; Daveda Karanas as Fricka, and Dana Beth Miller as Erda. Harold Wilson and Zachary James sing as Fasolt and Fafner, respectively; Craig Colclough performs as Donner; John Lindsey performs as Froh; and Lacy Sauter sings the role of Welgunde. Laura Wilde returns to the Arizona Opera stage as Freia, and Marion Roose Pullin Arizona Opera Studio Artists Katrina Galka and Stephanie Sanchez will be singing the roles of Woglinde and Flosshilde, respectively.

The Arizona Opera production of Das Rheingold is generously sponsored by Marlys A. Beider, In Memory of Stan and Esther Alcorn and Dr. Rex and Arlyn Brewster. Arizona Opera’s 2017/18 Season is presented by CopperPoint Insurance Companies.

Das Rheingold begins at Symphony Hall in Phoenix for three performances, Friday, April 6, Saturday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, April 8, at 2:00 p.m. The production then travels to Tucson, concluding Arizona Opera’s 2017/18 Season, with two performances at Tucson Music Hall on Saturday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, April 15, at 2:00 p.m. Tickets start at $25, and may be purchased at www.azopera.org or by calling 602.266.7464 or 520.293.4336. Arizona Opera will be offering several companion events leading up to the mainstage performances which can be found here.

ABOUT ARIZONA OPERA

Arizona Opera, originally the Tucson Opera Company, was founded in 1971 by a dedicated group of opera enthusiasts. Its inaugural season featured two performances of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville in Tucson. By the 1976 – 1977 season, Arizona Opera was performing complete seasons in both Tucson and Phoenix. Since its inaugural year, Arizona Opera has produced over 170 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. Arizona Opera has also presented Wagner’s complete Ring Cycle twice, a feat that has only been accomplished in North America by four other companies.