Phoenix Opera’s Los Tres Tenores thrill with holiday shows

By Ruben Hernandez

 Many of us love the passion and drama of novelas.

But Latinos who enjoy opera know they can find these same exciting themes in Phoenix Opera’s upcoming entertainment line-up for the upcoming holidays and through the spring of 2013.

In addition, local opera lovers appreciate that Phoenix Opera has been training and featuring talented Latinos in beloved operas such as “Carmen,” “La Traviata,” and other professional, high-quality productions at the Orpheum Theatre.

Now Phoenix Opera has taken three of its most talented Latino tenors  – Guillermo Ontiveros Granillo of Hermosillo; Juan “Johnny” Huerta of El Mirage, and Francisco Renteria of Tucson -and produced “Los Tres Tenores, an act of live musical revues of the best opera arias, Broadway hits, and popular Latin American canciones.

This Phoenix-based opera company has transferred the three Latino’s singing and acting skills from the big stage to smaller community venues such as restaurants, churches, and other performance spaces.  The three tenors have drawn raves wherever they perform.

“When I was a little boy, I knew nothing of opera,” Guillermo Ontiveros recalls. “I used to say, ‘I don’t like opera.’ But I had never been exposed to it. But when I started singing opera at the Universidad de Sonora, I fell in love with it.”

And Guillermo is sure that you will too. “I want to personally invite Latinos to come hear us. When they experience it, they will be in love with it.”

For example, on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., Los Tres Tenores will be featured in “Hallelujah – A musical Celebration for the Holidays” at All Saints of the Desert Episcopal Church in Sun City.

They will join the Phoenix Opera Orchestra and Chorus for highlights from Handel’s Messiah, as well as international holiday songs. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the church office. 

 “Phoenix Opera is proud to be developing Latino opera singers who are passionate about opera and having careers on opera stages,” says John Massaro, Phoenix Opera founder and conductor.

Gail Dubinbaum, Massaro’s wife and Phoenix Opera co-founder, believes that once people experience the magic of the tenors’ performances, they’ll want to attend Phoenix Opera’s other productions.

 “Opera is intended to be experienced live,” says Dubinbaum, a professional opera star. “We at Phoenix Opera provide the opportunity to hear world class performers of a standard that is comparable to that of the greatest opera houses.”

Both Massaro and Dubinbaum recently were named to the faculty of the Festival of International Opera of the Americas to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in June 2013. The Festival presents three main stage operas, and brings opera excellence to Brazil. For more information visit www.fioamericas.com .

Phoenix Opera is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to producing world-class professional opera in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.  For more information or tickets on upcoming concerts visit www.phoenixopera.org. 

Phoenix Opera Performance Schedule

Dec. 10 &11: Join tenor Johnny Huerta and other Phoenix Opera singers for a Buon Natale holiday dinner celebration at 6:30 p.m. at Tutti Santi, 9011 E. Via Linda in Scottsdale. Three-course Italian dinner included.

Dec. 21: Phoenix Opera Mesa Arts Center for spectacular holiday program with orchestra and singers. . For tickets www.mesaartscenter.com.

Feb. 10, 2013: Celebrate the romance of Valentine’s Day with Broadway love songs at the Mesa Arts Center; www.mesaartscenter.com.

Feb. 24: Jonas Kaufmann, internationally acclaimed German tenor in a special concert. Starts at 7 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St. in downtown Phoenix.