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Arizona Opera goes to Hollywood in action-packed Riders of the Purple Sage

Arizona Opera goes to Hollywood in action-packed Riders of the Purple Sage

The Republic

"Bohmler's cinematic score also has a very contemporary energy, with flashing violins of the sort that build excitement in the latest “Star Wars” flick. This engaging production is built on sturdy bones: iconic hero-and-villain characters, a suspenseful story and a score that’s studded with soaring, hummable melodies..."

Historic premiere: Riders puts Arizona Opera in different league

Historic premiere: Riders puts Arizona Opera in different league

Arizona Daily Star

Arizona Opera made history Saturday night with "Riders of the Purple Sage," its first world premiere of its first ever commissioned opera. It now has a seat at the big-boys' table among companies three, four times its size in opera-friendly cities like Chicago and New York.

Companies the size of Arizona, which mounts productions in Tucson and Phoenix, don't normally put themselves on the shaky limb of "new works." It's a risky, expensive venture. But at the big boys table, taking a chance is the price of admission, and on Saturday night, with some 1,400 people in the audience, Arizona Opera took that challenge with "Riders of the Purple Sage" — and it paid off.

The story seemed to 'sing' from its very first pages

The story seemed to 'sing' from its very first pages

Opera Sense

Few things in the opera world can compare to the excitement surrounding a world premiere, so the atmosphere at Arizona Opera is currently absolutely electrifying! Audience members will soon have the opportunity to witness history in the making: the first American Western opera. Riders of the Purple Sage, a new work by composer Craig Bohmler and librettist Steven Mark Kohn, takes to the stage this weekend.

A Zane Grey Opera: Exploring the Creation and Production of Riders of the Purple Sage

A Zane Grey Opera: Exploring the Creation and Production of Riders of the Purple Sage

Opera Wire

Rain was pouring down for miles while composer Craig Bohmler was on a drive through the mountain region outside Phoenix. Everywhere he looked, visibility was low and he knew that due to the strong monsoon winds, staying out in this weather was probably not a wise proposition.

Riders of the Purple Sage is Arizona Opera's first-ever world premiere

Riders of the Purple Sage is Arizona Opera's first-ever world premiere

The Republic

“Riders of the Purple Sage” is composer Craig Bohmler’s bid to create the first great American Western opera. If it is remains to be seen. But no matter what, “Riders” — based on the classic novel by Zane Grey — is a giant leap forward for Arizona Opera: the first-ever world premiere in the company’s 45-year history.

Arizona Opera set to make history with first Western production

Arizona Opera set to make history with first Western production

Arizona Daily Star

Arizona Opera is making history this weekend that will go far beyond Tucson Music Hall and Phoenix Symphony Center. The company will mount what is being billed as the first-ever Western opera, a piece the company commissioned based on Zane Grey’s seminal novel “Riders of the Purple Sage.” It is the first time in the company’s 45-year history that it has commissioned a new work and performed a world premiere.