Bold. Brave. Brilliant.

Coming Events: Bounty Of Opera, New And Notable

Riders of the Purple Sage - Arizona Opera

Kyle MacMillan

Medium: Print

Arizona Opera introduces the first world premiere of Riders of the Purple Sage this February. The company as they explore this unique adaption of Zane Grey’s famed 1912 novel.

 a fast-moving tale of love, religious conflict and proto-feminism, all set in the panoramic canyon country of southern Utah.

Phoenix composer Craig Bohmler joins forces with librettist Steven Mark Kohn to bring together a fast-moving tale of love, religious conflict and proto-feminism, all set in the panoramic canyon country of southern Utah.

"Though it is a true opera from start to finish, it has reprises, occasionally rhyming lyrics and an orchestration that tips its hat to the western movie score. An added highlight is the production’s scenic evocations of the American Southwest by noted Arizona landscape painter Ed Mell. Arizona Opera’s first world premiere will kick off with a statewide celebration of its Western heritage through art, film, story, and song."

– Craig Bohmler, composer