Music by Zach Redler, Libretto by Jerre Dye
COMPANY PREMIERE
October 14 - 16, 2022 at Herberger Theater Center
October 22 & 23, 2022 at Temple of Music and Art
The Falling and the Rising is an operatic story of service and sacrifice, which traces the inner journey of a soldier who enters a coma after she suffers a roadside attack. As the soldier moves through her unconscious dreamscape, the audience will serve as both companion and witness, sharing powerful encounters with fellow service members along the way.
This opera centers around a strong female hero known only as “Soldier.” After sending a video message home on the eve of her daughter’s thirteenth birthday, Soldier is severely wounded by a roadside bomb. As she experiences a medically induced coma, she sees visions of other soldiers’ stories, each on their journey toward healing and home.
Based on real-life interviews with wounded soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, this Soldier’s odyssey was created to honor the indomitable spirit of our U.S. Military veterans. By shedding light on the inspirational power of their stories, Arizona Opera hopes to knit the civilian and veteran/military populations together through this story of family, service, sacrifice, and hope.
Arizona Opera’s production of The Falling and the Rising will feature Tess Altiveros, reprising the role of the “Soldier,” following her recent success in the role at Seattle Opera. The Seattle Times described her performance as “Enthralling” and Classical Voice North America commented that Altiveros “melded a fine voice that resounded of inner strength with a sympathetic countenance that bespoke complete identification with her role.”
Leading the production in his company debut with Arizona Opera will be stage director Dennis Whitehead Darling, who recently served as the inaugural McCleave Fellow in Directing at Opera Memphis, a fellowship dedicated to fostering the careers of stage and music directors of color. Mr. Darling’s extensive stage credits include both opera and theatre, at companies such as Houston Grand Opera, Hattiloo Theatre, Opera Columbus, and Opera Memphis.
Conductor Michael Sakir, Artistic Director of Intermountain Opera Bozeman, will lead the Arizona Opera Orchestra in his company debut, after making his recent Seattle Opera debut leading that company’s production of The Falling and the Rising. Mr. Sakir’s credits include Opera Memphis, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Orlando, and others. Sakir served for four seasons as Music Director of Opera Memphis, where he was involved in the company's civic practice programs, community partnerships, and commissioning projects.
Music: Zach Redler
Libretto: Jerre Dye
Conductor: Michael Sakir
Stage Director: Dennis Whitehead Darling
Assistant Stage Director: Mario Pacheco
Soldier: Tess Altiveros
Toledo/Doctor #1: Audrey Babcock
Jumper/Doctor #2: Brad Bickhardt
Homecoming Soldier/Doctor #3: Schyler Vargas
Colonel/Doctor #4: Thomas Cannon
Part of the McDougall Arizona Opera RED Series
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