Arizona Opera is ending its 2014-15 season this weekend on a high note.
Actually, a lot of high notes.
Donizetti’s comedy “The Daughter of the Regiment” is built on high notes, most notably — pardon the pun — the nine-plus high Cs in the first act aria “Ah! mes amis, quel jour de fête!” sung by the male lead Tonio.
Pulling off those vocal acrobatics have launched more than a few storied opera careers including the legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who did it for the Metropolitan Opera in 1972.
“It’s always daunting, but it’s a great character,” said David Portillo, the 34-year-old tenor who will sing it here — his second Arizona Opera appearance and his third time singing Tonio. “With that aria, just because the high Cs come so quickly, sometimes they sound more daunting than they are. Marie (coloratura soprano Susannah Biller) sings a lot more high C’s than I do during the evening, but mine just happen to be in one part of the opera.”
“This role for me is so physical and you’re required basically to do what feels like running around stage and singing all this extremely difficult writing,” admitted Biller. “Donizetti, he did not make it easy for the heroine, that’s for sure. He definitely made it as challenging as humanly possible.”
The production, staged by director/choreographer John de los Santos and conducted by Keitaro Harada, will be Biller’s first time doing the role — and her first time performing with Arizona Opera. Is it a challenge? You betcha.
“I think every person in their life wants a major challenge and I’m really excited about it. It’s definitely that in a nutshell,” said Biller, 33, who said she loves her character.
“I think there is something truly refreshing about her especially in a day and age like this where we are able to accept people for who we are,” she said. “And I think that’s a lot of what Marie is, learning to accept yourself … with no strings attached.”
The Arizona cast also includes an opera newbie — accomplished stage, film and TV actress Didi Conn (“Grease,” “The Practice,” “Benson”) in the speaking role of Duchess of Krakenthorpe.
Conn, 63, is no stranger to opera, though. Her brother Richard Bernstein has been singing with the New York Metropolitan Opera for 20 years.
“It’s wonderful because it gives me insight into his work,” she said. “I have been in many musicals, but this is very, very different. The length of the arias in comparison to a Broadway show is much different. And for me to learn French — I don’t speak French!” she said with a giggle. “That was really fun. Oh my goodness.”
Is she fluent? Heavens no, she admitted.
“If it’s not exactly right, maybe it’ll be funny, and if it’s funny they’ll be happy,” she said, adding that she’s having so much fun that she would consider reprising the role in the future.
“There’s so much movement and fun, fun, fun choreography. It’s so much fun. … The people, the Arizona Opera company from the top to the bottom, is the most sincere, welcoming and warm terrific people. I would love to come back again, or do this part anywhere. I’m playing a villainess. I get to wear this black costume. It’s fun.”
