Opera’s hallowed traditions and America’s cowboy culture converge in a documentary film that celebrates the collaborative power of art. The documentary film "RIDERS of the PURPLE SAGE: THE MAKING OF A WESTERN OPERA" follows Zane Grey’s classic Western novel as it is re-imagined by Arizona artists composer Craig Bohmler, fine art painter Ed Mell, and the performers and artisans of Arizona Opera.
The documentary is directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Kristin Atwell Ford and will premiere February 5, 2020 at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts to a select audience. Executive Producers Billie Jo & Judd Herberger. Executive Producer Scott Hooker. Co-Executive Producers Jennifer & Charles Sands, Arlyn & Rex Brewster. Produced by Quantum Leap Productions in collaboration with Arizona Opera. Event sponsors include Castle Hot Springs, Arizona's first resort.
The film features soprano Karin Wolverton as Jane, baritone Morgan Smith as Lassiter, tenor Joshua Dennis Bern as Venters, soprano Amanda Opuszynski as Bess, baritone Keith Phares as Tull, and bass-baritone Kristopher Irmiter sings Bishop Dyer.
SPECIAL THANKS to Arizona Opera Center, Phoenix Symphony Hall, Scottsdale's Museum of the West, Rim Country Museum & Zane Grey Cabin, Mormon Lake Lodge, Desert Mountain Communities, McDowell Mountain Preserve, Navajo National Monument, and Pipe Spring National Monument.
WORLD PREMIERE CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
PRESENTED BY ARIZONA OPERA
Composer Craig Bohmler
Librettist Steven Mark Kohn
Conductor Joseph Mechavich
Stage Director Fenlon Lamb
Scenic Design Ed Mell
Projection Design Jake Pinholster
Costume Design Kathleen Trott
Lighting Design Gregory Allen Hirsch
Co-Producer Kristin Atwell Ford
Executive Producers Billie Jo & Judd Herberger
Sponsored by Dr. Rex and Arlyn Brewster and Frieda Elizabeth Reish
WORLD PREMIERE CAST
Lassiter: baritones Morgan Smith / Joshua Jeremiah
Jane Withersteen: sopranos Karin Wolverton / Laura Wilde
Bern Venters: tenor Joshua Dennis
Bess: soprano Amanda Opuszynski
Bishop Dyer: bass-baritone Kristopher Irmiter
Elder Tull: baritone Keith Phares
For more on "RIDERS of the PURPLE SAGE: THE MAKING OF A WESTERN OPERA" visit: ridersoperafilm.com
The opera returns to Arizona, February 28, 2020. For more information visit azopera.org/riders and ridersopera.com.
Production and Post provided by Quantum Leap Productions: qlpnow.com
