Arizona Opera to Present CARMEN in 2016

Opera's most infamous seductress, CARMEN, will ignite downtown when Arizona Opera performs the sultry classic January 30 at 7:30 and January 31 at 2:00 pm in the Tucson Music Hall, and February 5 and 6 at 7:30 and February 7 at 2:00 pm in Symphony Hall.

Tickets start at $25 and are on sale at www.azopera.org or by calling (602) 266-7464 (Phoenix or (520) 293-4336 Tucson.

Mezzo-Soprano Daniela Mack will take the title role of the fiery gypsy, following her smash success last year as Carmen at Santa Fe Opera. Audiences relished in her portrayal of the character, with critic's declaring, "No one will be able to claim this isn't the 'real Carmen' in either voice or appearance." -Alburquerque Journal, 2014
Mack is considerered one of the most exciting young singers on the circuit today and next season will be making debuts at The Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington National Operas.

Alternating in the title role is Mezzo-soprano Beth Lytwynec (Jan 31 & Feb 6). A member of the Arizona Opera Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio, Lytwynec's was praised by Opera News for her "saucy, smooth-registered Olga" in last season's performance of Eugene Onegin. This will be her debut in the title role of Carmen.

Arizona Opera Associate Conductor Keitaro Harada returns to the podium to lead the orchestra for Carmen. The newly appointed Assistant Conductor for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra, Harada has been recognized by some of the most prestigious conducting institutions including the Solti Foundation, Seiji Ozawa Conducting Fellowship at Tanglewood and the Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview. He last appeared with Arizona Opera conducting the April 2015 production of The Daughter of the Regiment.The cast also includes Adam Diegel as Don José opposite Daniela Mack and Scott Quinn opposite Beth Lytwynec, Ryan Kuster as the bullfighter, Escamillo, Karen Wolverton as Micaela, Sarah Tucker as Micaela on Feb. 6. Carmen is directed by Tara Faircloth, who last directed the company's performance of Eugene Onegin in January 2015.This will be a new production of Carmen, set in Seville during the Spanish Civil War. Designed by Arizona Opera Director of Production, Doug Provost and Director Tara Faircloth.

Carmen Outreach and Educational Events A limited number of tickets for Student Night in Tucson (January 28) are available for schools and community groups.

Arrive at the theater one hour prior to curtain for a pre-performance chat with Arizona Opera Education and Outreach Manager, Joshua Borths.

Visit www.azopera.org/calendar for detailed calendar of outreach events.