Arizona Opera Set for Mystical Journey in FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZON, Now thru 11/22

Arizona Opera's second production of its 2015/16 season, FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS comes to Phoenix and Tucson for the first time. Inspired by the magical realism of celebrated author Gabriel García Márquez, FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS is an exotic journey through the physical and mystical worlds of love, desire and the mighty Amazon River. Performances are in Phoenix tonight and tomrorow, November 13 and 14 at 7:30 pm and November 15 at 2:00 pm in Symphony Hall, and in Tucson November 21 at 7:30 and 22 at 2:00 pm in the Tucson Music Hall. Tickets start at $25 and are on sale through www.azopera.org or by calling (602) 266-7464 (Phx) or (520)293-4336 (Tuc).

In addition, Arizona Opera will be hosting a series of free community events with its Latin American Cultural Festival in anticipation of the performances of FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS.

FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS follows the story of Florencia Grimaldi who journeys along the famed Amazon River in the hopes of finding her long-lost lover, a butterfly hunter, who disappeared in the jungle many years ago. Wracked by storms and a cholera outbreak, she and her fellow passengers are drawn deeper into the exotic rainforest, where fantasy and reality intertwine and their hopes and dreams are tested.

Written by the late Mexican composer Daniel Catán, FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS was the first-ever Spanish-language opera commissioned in the U.S. and has become a smash sensation around the globe ever since its premiere in 1996. Daniel Catán's widow, Andrea Puente, will be traveling to Arizona to attend the performances.

This will be a brand new production of Florencia, with costumes designed by Adriana Diaz and scenic design by Doug Provost and Peter Nolle, evoking the mystical creatures and characters encountered along the journey.

FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS' cast features Cuban-Ecuadorian soprano Sandra Lopez (November 13, 15 & 21) and Alexandra Loutsion (November 14 & 22) as "Florencia", Luis Alejandro Orozco and Joseph Lattanzi alternating the role as the magical and mysterious "Riolobo", and Susannah Biller (star of last season's The Daughter of the Regiment) and Sarah Tucker (last season's Pamina in The Magic Flute) sharing the role of the inquisitive "Rosalba". Conductor Joseph Mechavich will lead the orchestra with stage direction by Joshua Borths.

Tickets for FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS start at $25 and are available at azopera.org or by calling 602.266.7464 (Phoenix) or 520.293.4336 (Tucson). A limited number of tickets for Student Night in Phoenix (November 12) are available for schools and community groups. Click here for details and ticket reservations.

FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS Latin American Cultural Festival October 28-November 18 Latin America has provided the world with some of the greatest and most innovative artists who have inspired millions and established magical realism as a major artistic movement. Arizona Opera's Latin American Cultural Festival will explore the works of Daniel Catán and Gabriel García Márquez, as well as the impact they have had on the people of Arizona. All Festival Events are free unless otherwise noted. Phoenix Events Coffee @ Kerr October 28, 10:30 a.m. Free lecture discussion open to the community Kerr Cultural Center 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale The Art of Latin America November 4, 7:00pm Tour the Phoenix Art Museum with a specially curated experience focusing on the Latin American collections. Phoenix Art Museum 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix Operatìf November 6, 6:30pm Join General Director Ryan Taylor for a glimpse behind the scenes of FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS. $25, registration is required.

Arizona Opera Book Club: Love in the Time of Cholera November 9, 7:00pm Discussion of Gabriel García Márquez's Love in the Time of Cholera Changing Hands Bookstore 300 W Camelback Rd., Phoenix Magical Realism: A Conversation with Alberto "Tito" Ríos November 9, 7:00pm A lecture on magical realism by Arizona's first poet laureate, Alberto "Tito" Ríos. Arizona Opera Center 1636 N. Central Ave., Phoenix Latin American Mercado November 11, 7:00pm Arizona Opera will be converted into a marketplace and the air will be filled with Brazilian drumming as people survey Latin American cuisine provided by local food trucks, buy arts and crafts from local artisans, and enjoy performances by the best folk dancers and instrumentalists in Arizona.