Arizona Opera and the city of Phoenix announced today the purchase of a new home for the Opera Company, at 1636 N. Central Ave. The 16,800 square-foot-building, formerly the corporate offices and showroom of Walsh Brothers Furniture, was purchased by the City with funds from 2006 voter-approved Bonds. Located in the heart of the city’s cultural district, the facility is directly across Central Avenue from the Phoenix Art Museum and Phoenix Theater, and down the block from the Heard Museum. The building will house educational and meeting facilities, rehearsal space for the Company’s five-opera season, administrative offices, costume, wig and make-up shop and performance venues for smaller opera and theater works.
Arizona Opera’s production headquarters had been located in Tucson since the Company’s founding in 1971, with operations split between Tucson and Phoenix. Since July 2010, consolidation of the Company occurred with the administrative office in Phoenix and rehearsal space in nearby Mesa. With the new opera center, the Company will fully consolidate all operations not only in one city, but in one building as well. Performances of the Company’s full season will continue to be at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix, and the Tucson Music Hall.
“We are thrilled to have found such a perfect location for our new home, near to our sister arts organizations and directly on the light rail route. From watching singers rehearse their roles, to public tours, education programs for youth and adults, performances and events, the community will have unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access to the creative process in action. Now, because of landmark support from Phoenix residents, people of all ages and backgrounds will be able to learn first-hand about this all-encompassing art form,” stated General Director Scott Altman. Altman also noted the continuing support of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and the City Council, as well as city staff, and the commitment of the Arizona Opera’s Board of Trustees.
“We are thrilled to have found such a perfect location for our new home, near to our sister arts organizations and directly on the light rail route. From watching singers rehearse their roles, to public tours, education programs for youth and adults, performances and events, the community will have unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access to the creative process in action. Now, because of landmark support from Phoenix residents, people of all ages and backgrounds will be able to learn first-hand about this all-encompassing art form,” stated General Director Scott Altman. Altman also noted the continuing support of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and the City Council, as well as city staff, and the commitment of the Arizona Opera’s Board of Trustees.
The Opera's new location will complement and enhance the city's other nearby cultural amenities on Central Avenue: the Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Theatre and Heard Museum," said Jane Morris, city of Phoenix executive assistant to the city manager. "It's easily accessible by Metro light rail and has a centralized location to increase access to the opera's programs.”
The renovations are expected to be complete and Arizona Opera to be fully operational in the Central Avenue building by summer of 2012.
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