Generous Funders Make RED Party Free for Opera Attendees

Phoenix, AZ –Thanks to generous philanthropic support committed this week, Arizona Opera is now able to invite all patrons attending “Maria de Buenos Aires” performances in Phoenix on Friday, Sept. 28 and in Tucson on Saturday, Oct. 6 to The RED Party — celebrating the opening of its 2018-19 season free of cost. 

The presenting sponsor for the event is APS, with additional support provided by HBI International and a group of considerate individual sponsors in both Phoenix and Tucson. “Arizona Opera plays a key role in contributing to the Valley being a culturally rich and vibrant community,” said Tina Marie Tentori, APS Director of Community Affairs and Executive Director of the APS Foundation. “APS’s investment in programs such as this enable us to directly support our community, strengthen the fabric and culture of our state, and give back to those we serve.”

The RED Party will take place immediately following the opening night performance of “Maria de Buenos Aires” in both Phoenix and Tucson—Friday, Sept. 28 at the Herberger Theater in Phoenix, and on Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Temple of Music and Art in Tucson—marking the launch of the new McDougall Arizona Opera RED Series. On the patios of Herberger Theater and Temple of Music and Art, RED Party guests will be bathed in red light, enjoy live music, food and libations, and tango under the stars with professional dancers and the cast of “Maria de Buenos Aires.”

 “Opening our 2018/19 season with an energetic and exciting event like The RED Party is a reaffirmation of our commitment to celebrating community and bringing people together through our art form. We are deeply grateful to our institutional and individuals sponsors for making it possible to share this event to opera attendees for free,” said Joe Specter, president and general director of Arizona Opera

“Maria de Buenos Aires” opens at Herberger Theater in Phoenix for three performances: Friday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. The production then travels to Tucson with two performances at the Temple of Music and Art on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. Remaining tickets can be purchased at www.azopera.org or by calling 602-266-7464 or 520-293-4336.

“Maria de Buenos Aires” is a co-production of Arizona Opera and San Diego Opera. It’s generously sponsored by OPERA America, The Carol Franc Buck Foundation, The Flinn Foundation, BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona, The Bancroft-Clair Foundation, and Ole and Teri Thienhaus. Arizona Opera’s 2018-19 season is presented by CopperPoint Insurance Companies. The McDougall Arizona Opera RED Series is made possible through kind support from Kay and Ron McDougall.