Arizona Opera Launches 2025/26 Season With Thrilling Company and State-Wide Premiere of Zorro
Dynamic new Spanish English opera about heroism and romance is accessible for the whole family
PHOENIX AND TUCSON, Ariz. (August 13, 2025) — Arizona Opera opens its 2025/26 Main Stage Season with the company premiere of Héctor Armienta’s Zorro, part of the McDougall Arizona Opera RED Series.
This vibrant new work reimagines the legendary masked hero Diego de la Vega as he returns to a land oppressed, reclaims his identity as Zorro, and leads a revolution in a score that blends pulp fiction energy, Puccini inspired melodies, Latin flair — and swords ablaze.
Arizona Opera brings together a dynamic, internationally recognized ensemble to the company premiere of Zorro. Leading the cast is Rafael Moras as Diego de la Vega (a.k.a. Zorro), a tenor praised for his warm, richly characterized singing with major orchestras and opera houses across North America. María Brea portrays Ana María Soza, a Venezuelan soprano celebrated for her polished vocal technique and magnetic stage presence. Stephanie Sánchez takes on the role of Carlota de Obragón, bringing both dramatic flair and a commanding vocal presence refined through performances with Kentucky Opera, Opera San José, and Arizona Opera. Rounding out the principal cast is Octavio Moreno as Octavio Rivera y Moncada, contributing depth to a production grounded in emotional storytelling and operatic passion.
The production is conducted by Anthony Barrese, noted for his expressive and stylistically fluent leadership at the podium, and directed by David Radamés Toro, whose vision brings the revolutionary and cultural themes of the work vividly to life.
At the compositional helm is Héctor Armienta, who creates both music and libretto for Zorro. A Mexican-American composer and librettist, Armienta blends classical training with deep engagement in Latin and Hispanic traditions, including mariachi, corridos, and musica azteca, to explore bicultural identity through opera. His score for Zorro is lush with cultural influences that highlight the vast musical palette of Latin and Hispanic artistic traditions.
Armienta’s cross-cultural approach has been showcased in widely acclaimed works performed across the U.S., including productions at Fort Worth Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, and Opera San José — this Arizona Opera presentation being the latest in a growing legacy of innovative programming that bridges borders and genres.
Zorro is the first production under the leadership of Brian DeMaris, who was named Arizona Opera’s new President and General Director this summer. A respected conductor, educator, and arts leader, DeMaris brings decades of experience to the role, including his tenure as Artistic Director of Music Theatre and Opera at Arizona State University and past collaborations with Arizona Opera.
“Zorro is everything you love about opera — romance, sword fights, incredible music and action-packed storytelling,” DeMaris said. “Zorro connects cultures, languages and generations, and we’re excited to bring our Arizona audiences a work that celebrates love and heroism while exploring themes of liberty, justice and resilience. Audience members of all ages are sure to have a great time.”
Zorro is part of the McDougall Arizona Opera RED Series. This production was made possible, in part, through generous support from The Carol Franc Buck Foundation, Susan Esco Chandler and Alfred D. Chandler, and Rio Nuevo. The appearance of Anthony Barrese is made possible, in part, by Dean Yannias.
The scenery, props, and costumes for this presentation of Hector Armienta’s Zorro were created through a co-production between Opera San Jose, Kentucky Opera, and Arizona Opera.
Zorro is presented through special arrangement with Zorro Productions, UIA Talent Agency, and Just a Theory Press.
Performance Schedule
Phoenix: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 2 PM at Symphony Hall
Tucson: Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 2 PM at The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall
Zorro runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 30 minute intermission, and is performed in both English and Spanish with supertitles projected above the stage.
Additional Season Highlights
Arizona Opera’s 2025/26 Season continues with Puccini’s glorious and heartbreaking Madama Butterfly in January–February 2026, followed by Rossini’s delightful Cinderella (La Cenerentola) in April 2026 — each performed in both Phoenix and Tucson. The lineup also includes a special recital by internationally celebrated mezzo soprano Jamie Barton, presented in partnership with the Tucson Desert Song Festival, with performances in both Tempe and Tucson in March 2026. Ms. Barton will be accompanied by pianist Kathleen Kelly for both of these engagements.
Ticket & Subscription Information
Single tickets for all 2025/26 productions are now on sale at azopera.org. Season tickets – which include savings of up to 20% off regular box office prices, are also available. In addition to savings on tickets, season ticket holders also receive an array of other benefits, including complimentary exchanges and early purchasing windows for special events.
ABOUT ARIZONA OPERA
Arizona Opera connects and inspires communities through artistically vibrant programs and productions that combine music, storytelling, and the human voice, creating inclusive, culturally relevant, and impactful experiences, while ensuring the financial sustainability of opera in our state. Since its inaugural year in 1971 as the Tucson Opera Company, Arizona Opera has produced more than 200 staged operas and concerts. The company's artistic history is rich with a blend of traditional works from the canon, as well as compelling works from the 20th and 21st centuries, and an array of high-impact educational and community engagement programs.
For more information, please visit azopera.org.