activities · 9
what they do
direct service · 7
- Deliver Educational and Community Programs Youth Music Access ProgramsOffers educational programs and community initiatives that extend beyond stage performances, reaching over 50,000 Arizonans statewide to foster mutual discovery and engage communities through music and storytelling.
- Deliver Educational and Community Programs Youth Music Access ProgramsOffers educational programs and community initiatives that extend beyond stage performances, reaching over 50,000 Arizonans statewide to foster mutual discovery and connect communities through music and storytelling.
- Deliver education and community engagement programsOffers educational programs and community initiatives that reach over 50,000 Arizonans annually, extending beyond stage performances to foster mutual discovery and community connection through opera and music-based storytelling.
- Develop New Operatic WorksFacilitates the development of new operas, including workshops and world premieres, such as "The Copper Queen," which was adapted into a feature-length film.
- Develop new operatic worksCommissions and develops new operas, including The Copper Queen, which was selected for world premiere in the 2020/21 season. The development process includes public workshops in Phoenix and New York City, collaboration with composers and librettists, and adaptation into a feature-length film for broader public access.
- Produce and Present Opera Performances Professional Theatrical Productions of Plays and MusicalsProduces four fully-staged operatic productions annually, including contemporary works, classics, and family-friendly programming, in Phoenix and Tucson. Since its inception, the organization has produced over 200 fully-staged operas and concerts.
- Produce and present opera performances Professional Theatrical Productions of Plays and MusicalsProduces four fully-staged operatic productions annually in Phoenix and Tucson, featuring classics, contemporary works, and family-friendly programming, with performances also held in other locations across Arizona. Since 1971, has produced over 200 fully-staged operas and concerts, including major works such as Wagner’s complete Ring Cycle and productions like "Madama Butterfly" featuring leading national artists.
capacity building · 2
- Provide Opera Artist TrainingOffers a full-season training program for emerging opera artists, which includes performance opportunities, coaching, and training in language and dramatic arts.
- Train emerging opera artistsProvides a full-season training program for emerging opera professionals, including performance opportunities, vocal and dramatic coaching, and instruction in language and stagecraft.
strategies · 17
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Building Community through Musical Storytelling storytelling-through-musicThe organization uses storytelling through music as a means to build community and reflect the diversity and adventurous spirit of Arizona.
- Developing New Operatic Works through Patron Engagement patron-supported new works developmentThe organization supports the creation of new operas by engaging an intimate patron group in conversation, listening, and learning, thereby advancing contemporary opera.
- Developing New Operatic Works through Patron Engagement patron-supported new works developmentThe organization supports the development of new operas by engaging an intimate patron group in conversation, listening, and learning, thereby advancing contemporary opera.
- Developing Operatic Talent artist-training-pipelineThe organization invests in the next generation of operatic artists through a yearlong residency program, building a sustainable pipeline of professional talent for the art form.
- Evolving Opera through Innovation and Tradition innovation_and_traditionThe organization combines creative innovation with respect for opera's traditional legacy to ensure the art form remains relevant and continues to evolve. This includes reinterpreting classic works to address contemporary issues and developing new operas.
- Evolving Opera through Innovation and Tradition innovation_and_traditionThe organization combines creative innovation with respect for opera's traditional legacy to evolve the art form, ensuring its continued relevance and development.
- Fostering Inclusivity and Belonging inclusivity_and_belongingThe organization designs programs and cultivates an organizational culture that celebrates diversity and ensures individuals feel valued and connected, promoting a sense of belonging within the opera community.
- Fostering Inclusivity and Collaborative Culture inclusivity_and_belongingThe organization designs programs and cultivates an organizational culture that celebrates diversity, ensures individuals feel valued and connected, and promotes constructive collaboration, respect, optimism, and shared creativity.
- Fostering Inclusivity and Community through Opera inclusivity_and_belongingThe organization designs programs and cultivates an organizational culture that celebrates diversity, ensures individuals feel valued and connected, and uses opera to build community and reflect the diverse spirit of Arizona. This includes community outreach and acknowledging community members.
- Investing in Artist Development artist-training-pipelineThe organization invests in early-career operatic artists through a yearlong residency program to build a sustainable pipeline of professional talent for the art form.
- Investing in Artist Development artist-training-pipelineThe organization invests in early-career operatic artists through a yearlong residency program to build a sustainable pipeline of professional talent for the opera industry.
- Recontextualizing Classic Operatic Narratives cultural_reckoning_through_historical_recontextualizationThe organization reinterprets classic operatic works by confronting racial and cultural stereotypes, incorporating historical context, and reframing narratives to emphasize character agency and emotional depth, particularly for female protagonists.
- Recontextualizing Classic Operatic Works cultural_reckoning_through_historical_recontextualizationThe organization reinterprets classic operatic works by confronting racial and cultural stereotypes and incorporating historical context to reframe narratives, aiming for a cultural reckoning and deeper understanding.
- Recontextualizing Classic Operatic Works cultural_reckoning_through_historical_recontextualizationThe organization reinterprets classic operatic works by confronting racial and cultural stereotypes and incorporating historical context to reframe narratives, making them more relevant and inclusive for contemporary audiences.
- Reframing Narratives for Character Agency narrative_reframing_for_character_agencyThe organization reframes operatic storytelling to emphasize character agency and emotional depth, particularly for female protagonists, to create more nuanced and impactful performances.
- Reframing Narratives for Character Agency narrative_reframing_for_character_agencyThe organization reframes operatic storytelling to emphasize character agency and emotional depth, particularly for female protagonists, to create more compelling and nuanced performances.
- Reframing Operatic Narratives narrative_reframingThe organization reframes operatic storytelling to emphasize character agency and emotional depth, particularly for female protagonists, and recontextualizes classic works to confront stereotypes and incorporate historical context.
named programs · 11
what they call their work
Arizona Opera Gala
Annual fundraising and celebration event
Arizona Spark Commissioning Club
A club founded by Dr. Judith G. Wolf to encourage the development of new operas and support contemporary work.
Community Engagement and Education Programs
Initiatives designed to foster learning and engagement beyond the stage, connecting with the community.
Mainstage Productions
Fully-staged opera productions featuring a blend of traditional repertoire, turn-of-the-century masterpieces, operettas, and American operas.
Marion Roose Pullin Studio
Yearlong artist development program for emerging opera singers, including performance opportunities, coaching, language training, and community engagement
Marlu Allan and Scott Stallard Family Series
Family-oriented series featuring productions like The Pirates of Penzance
McDougall Arizona Opera Fall Series
Fall programming series featuring fully-staged productions such as Scalia/Ginsburg and El Gato con Botas
New Work Festival
A festival dedicated to the development and presentation of new operatic works, with performances in Phoenix and Tucson.
New Works Festival
Annual festival in April featuring performances of new operatic works in Phoenix and Tucson
Studio Series
New intimate performance series showcasing emerging artists from the Marion Roose Pullin Studio
Tucson Desert Song Festival Collaboration
Ongoing recital collaboration with the Tucson Desert Song Festival and academic partners
relationships · 12
who they work with
- Arizona State University Partner — Collaborates with Arizona Opera on programming and performances.
- Four Leaf Accounting Partner — Provides accounting services to Arizona Opera.
- Goodwill Partner — Chorus member Juan Cristobal Flores was working at a Goodwill donation center when injured.
- Jenny Holsman Tetreault Partner — Event Chair for the Midnight Masquerade fundraising event
- LumenAZ Partner — Public relations partner handling publicity and interview inquiries for Arizona Opera.
- OPERA America Partner — Hosted a live-streamed workshop of The Copper Queen at the National OPERA America Center in New York City.
- Opera America Network — References Opera America as a resource for diversity, equity, and inclusion work in the opera industry.
- Tucson Desert Song Festival Partner — Collaborated to present performances and host artist debuts.
- Tucson Desert Song Festival Partner — Continued recital collaboration with Arizona Opera on programming and performances.
- Tucson Symphony Orchestra Partner — Collaborates with Arizona Opera; Juan Cristobal Flores has performed with both organizations.
- Tucson Symphony Orchestra Partner — Collaborative arts organization with which Arizona Opera shares performers.
- University of Arizona Partner — Collaborates with Arizona Opera on programming and performances.