The Arizona Opera received a $2 million affirmation Monday for its new programming model that will include staging new operas in small spaces in Tucson and Phoenix.
The gift came from Kay and Ron McDougall, who designated the money to create the McDougall Arizona Opera Red Series. Ron McDougall is the former CEO of Brinker International Inc. (Chiliโs Grill & Bar).
The Red Series, presenting new and non-traditional operas in smaller spaces outside the companyโs Tucson Music Hall and Phoenix Symphony Center home stages, launches in the fall. First up are Astor Piazzollaโs tango opera โMaria de Buenos Airesโ and the jazz-inspired โCharlie Parkerโs Yardbirdโ by Daniel Schnyder and Bridgette A. Wimberly.
The series is part of the companyโs overhaul of its program model that splits the season in two series to reach more non-traditional audiences.
While the Red Series focuses on smaller, lesser-known works, the Mainstage Series in the winter dips into the classical operatic cannon of masterworks: In January/February, Arizona Opera will perform Verdiโs โLa Traviata,โ and next April will close the season with Mozartโs โThe Marriage of Figaro.โ In between, the company will mount Kevin Putsโ and Mark Campbellโs Pulitzer Prize-winning 2011 opera โSilent Nightโ in March as part of its inaugural Marlu Allan and Scott Stallard Modern Masterworks Series, which spotlights modern masterworks.
โEverything we are doing is (aimed at) how do we do the best work for Arizona and how do we grow the art form for Arizona,โ Joseph Specter, Arizona Operaโs president and CEO, said Tuesday. โAnd to see that kind of investment support for that plan just shows a level of support and enthusiasm ... that says โhey, we have something that we hope will be special, and itโs connecting.โโ
Arizonaโs model follows similar moves by companies including the San Diego and Philadelphia operas as they search for ways to diversify and increase their audiences. Specter said itโs also creating โinspired programming oriented to community engagement.โ
Specter admitted the bold move was not without risk; some opera purists arenโt sold on the idea of mounting little-known or new works.
But the response has so far been positive among donors and subscribers.
โIn terms of sales, weโre tracking really favorably to last year, and that was not something that was a givenโ after splitting the season, he said. โWe knew that that was a risk from people who were concerned about the new model, but, in fact, the attendance for the season ticketholders for what we projected is right in line where we thought it would be.โ
This is not the largest gift Arizona Opera has received in its 47-year history, but is one of the first times the company has received such a large gift from folks who were so new to the company, Specter said. Kay McDougall joined the opera board just last year.
โWhat I have learned as a first-year board member is that Arizona Opera is on a mission to bring something thrilling to the state, and to become one of the most exciting opera companies in the country,โ she said in a written statement. โWe are honored to help bring the RED Series to life.โ
โWe are excited by Arizona Operaโs expansive vision and leadership, and believe in the potential of the RED Series to help build stronger, more connected communities through the art form of opera,โ added her husband.
