Anchorage, Alaska: Anchorage Opera
Anchorage Opera (AO) will present the Alaska premiere production of the late 20th century opera Frida, composed by R. X. Rodriguez on February 14, 15 & 16, 2020 in the Sydney Laurence Theatre in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage, AK. Sung in Spanish and English, Frida is the story of famed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. “Our repertoire choices are always made with our community interests and needs in mind,” said Reed Smith, General Director. “In addition to the significant Hispanic community in Anchorage, Frida affords us the new opportunity to work closely and integrate with our strong visual and fine arts community on ancillary projects beneficial to our community, while also reaching many other segments as well. Frida Kahlo’s status as an icon of our LGBTQ community opens a dialogue with them, and her triumph, despite disability, provides connections to the disabled and organizations that serve them. As she was a polio survivor, producing the opera will interest the 15 area Rotary International Clubs in the area.” Anchorage Opera kicks off their new season with a ¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva Frida! Garden Party on July 2. The event will feature festive food and beverages as well as Mariachi singers from the Anchorage community, Simón Hernández (aka “El Charro Cantor de Alaska”) and Zaide Manzano, soprano. For more event information visit anchorageopera.org
In the weeks before the Alaska premiere of the opera, AO will take the cast and artistic team onsite to organizations engaged through the project for a program of excerpts and discussions about the production, including Anchorage School District classrooms. “One in five students comes from a household where English is not a first language and 23% of those report Spanish as their first language.” Smith said. “Opportunities to experience the arts, especially opera, are limited for ASD students. Our hope is to reach many underserved segments of our community while simultaneously demonstrating the diversity of artists and our art form in current times, thereby making it relatable to them. We believe that the subject matter of this opera will resonate with our community which many Hispanic, LGBTQ and disabled Alaskans call home.”
Anchorage Opera’s 2019-20 “Season of Masterpieces” also includes Rossini’s beloved comic masterpiece The Barber of Seville (November 1, 2 & 3, 2019) and Puccini’s passionate classic Tosca (April 17, 18 & 19, 2020). All performances of all three AO productions will be presented in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Season Subscription tickets are on sale now through CenterTix at 263-ARTS (2787) or online at centertix.com. Single ticket sales begin September 1, 2019. For additional information contact Judy Berry, Marketing & Development Director or visit anchorageopera.org.
Anchorage Opera is one of the largest producers of the performing arts in Alaska and the first opera company in North America founded in the circumpolar North in 1962. For more about Anchorage Opera visit anchorageopera.org.