ARIZONA OPERA TO PRESENT TWO EXCITING VIRTUAL OPERA EVENTS DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
Viewing Opera San Jose’s Production of Three Decembers from December 10 – 31 will Help Support Arizona Opera
Arizona Opera’s Third Studio Spotlight Series Concert Will Premiere on December 19 at 6 PM MST as a Virtual Holiday Gift to All
Arizona Opera announces the presentation of two compelling online performances for its fans and followers during the month of December.
I. Opera San Jose’s Production of Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers – December 10 – 31
Beginning Thursday, December 10, and continuing through the end of the month, Arizona Opera patrons are invited to view from home Opera San Jose’s “designed for online” filmed production of Three Decembers, the purchase of which will also support Arizona Opera.
Three Decembers tells the story of a famous actress and her two adult children as they struggle to understand and love each other. Featuring world-renowned mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, Jake Heggie’s work features a brilliant, witty libretto by Gene Scheer and a rich, soaring score. Based on an original script by the legendary playwright, librettist, and screenwriter Terrence McNally, Three Decembers is a fullhearted American opera about family – the ones we are born into, and those that we create.
The 90-minute chamber opera will be made available to view online through a link specifically dedicated to Arizona Opera patrons from December 10 through 31. The cost for viewing is $40 per household plus a modest service fee. Thanks to this unique new collaboration with Opera San Jose, 50% of this purchase will return directly to Arizona Opera as financial support for the organization.
“We are grateful to Opera San Jose for this wonderful opportunity to bring Jake Heggie’s moving work to Arizona Opera’s expanding online community,” said Arizona Opera President and General Director, Joseph Specter. He continued, “Unique collaborations such as this shine a light on how arts organizations can work together to continue programming virtually in meaningful ways while we await a return to in-theater performances.”
Opera San Jose’s General Director, Khori Dastoor, added, “We look forward to sharing our performance of Three Decembers with the Arizona Opera community, and to continuing to explore exciting new ways that members of our industry can support each other. Until we can welcome audiences back into our theatres, ever-advancing technology can help us safely create thrilling new productions and make opera accessible to more people than ever through cross-company collaborations such as this.”
Information about purchasing a virtual admission will be sent to those on Arizona Opera’s email list on December 10. It will also be available on Arizona Opera’s website, AZOpera.org
II. THIRD STUDIO SPOTLIGHT SERIES CONCERT – December 19 at 6 PM MST and then continually OnDemand on Arizona Opera’s digital channel
Just in time for the holidays, Arizona Opera will premiere the third online performance of its popular Studio Spotlight Series on Saturday, December 19 at 6 PM MST. Viewers may tune in to the December 19 program at no charge by visiting Arizona Opera’s digital channel at Arizona Opera OnDemand (ondemand.azopera.org/).
(The December 19 program replaces Arizona Opera’s previously scheduled December 4 livestream, in consideration of developing public health conditions.)
Instead of featuring current members of the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio as the past two concerts have done, December’s engagement will showcase the talents of three Studio alumni and Arizona Opera’s new Concertmaster.
Included in the program will be performances by tenor Bille Bruley, soprano Kaitlyn Johnson, and bass-baritone Brandon Morales, together with violinist Ikuko Kanda. Christopher Cano, Arizona Opera’s Head of Music and Director of the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio, will serve as pianist for the engagement, which will include pieces by Franck, Mozart, Wagner, Brahms and others.
Following the premiere on December 19 at 6 PM MST, this third Studio Spotlight Series concert will be available OnDemand for first-time or repeat viewing on Arizona Opera OnDemand (ondemand.azopera.org/), where viewers can watch previous Studio Spotlight performances, as well as an array of other compelling Arizona Opera content.
Regarding the December Studio Spotlight Series, Cano noted, “Having the opportunity to highlight even more of the incredibly talented people who are associated with our organization through this third Studio Spotlight Series concert is very gratifying. Not only will the music be wonderful, but we look forward to spreading some holiday cheer to those in our community who are so desperately yearning for it.”
Arizona Opera will announce additional programming for the first quarter of 2021 in the weeks ahead. Information about all programming, including education and community outreach activities, may always be found at AZOpera.org.
Arizona Opera is deeply grateful to our 2020/21 Reimagined Season Lead Digital Sponsors, Ron and Kay McDougall.
The Studio Spotlight Series is sponsored by Scott Stallard and Marlu Allan, with additional generous support provided by Marlys A. Beider.
Christopher Cano, Director of the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio
Sponsored by Karen Fruen
The 2020/21 Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio Artists are sponsored by Karen Fruen, Norman C. and Donna L. Harbert, Peter and Lee Larson, Drs. Tom and Ginger Collier, Alan and Linda Englander, Don Williams and Dan A. Klingenberg*, Roma Witcoff, Helen Pierson, Shoshana B. Tancer, and Ole and Teresa Thienhaus.
The Pullin Opera Studio is also made possible, in part, by generous support from Marion Roose Pullin, Judith G. Wolf, A gift in Memory of Mario Manetti, Elaine and Robert Shower, Lee and Susan Berk, Dennis and Jane Fennessey, an anonymous donor, and a consortium of loyal and generous donors.