By Shannon Willoby

Internationally known mezzo-soprano and Arizona native Gail Dubinbaum is set to take culture in Phoenix to a new level. Although Phoenix is an arts and entertainment melting pot abounding with museums, art galleries, fine restaurants, vibrant nightlife, and theaters, Dubinbaum felt there was something missing. Recognizing a strong need for performing arts in the Valley, Dubinbaum, along with her husband, John Massaro, created a not-for-profit opera, better known as the Phoenix Metropolitan Opera, in 2006.

Undertaking such a task would be daunting to many, but not for Dubinbaum. Her musical background began from the time she was born, and has taken her across the world and back several times. Her mother, Ruth Dubinbaum, was an opera singer, and cultivated her daughter’s talent by taking her to theater productions beginning at a very early age. As Dubinbaum got older, she was given leading roles with some of the world’s most prestigious opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna Staatsoper, Israel Opera, and L’Opera de Montreal. In addition to this, she has appeared with Opera Pacific, Detroit Opera, Portland Opera, and Arizona Opera.

Her impressive résumé doesn’t stop there. Dubinbaum has sung with the Los Angeles, Israel, New York, Boston, Cleveland, and San Francisco Orchestras, and performed alongside such renowned conductors as Zubin Mehta, James Levine, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gerald Schwarz, Carlo Maria Giulini, and Leonard Bernstein. Dubinbaum’s television credits include appearances on “In Performance at the White House” and “Live from the Met.” Her DVD recordings include Francesca de Rimini with the Metropolitan Opera, and the Met Centennial Gala.

Thanks to her expert guidance and innate talent, her private studio in Phoenix has continuously produced top-notch singers. Her students win national competitions and land leading roles with major opera companies for close to a decade.

However, it’s her role as artistic director and creative director of the Phoenix Metropolitan Opera that enables her to further Phoenix’s growth. By bringing the finest operatic performances to Arizona, she is hoping to reach new audiences and thrill those who previously had to travel to San Francisco or New York to see a production. The highly anticipated debut performance of the Phoenix Metropolitan Opera is set for December 21–23 at historic Orpheum Theatre.

PMO’s premiere production, La Bohème, is one of the most famous operas of all time and is perfect for both newcomers to opera and avid fans. Tickets go on sale in the fall and the production is sure to pack the house. As the first Phoenix-based opera company, PMO is already generating quite a buzz, and will be an uplifting and positive experience for all involved. If Dubinbaum’s goal is to renew interest in the performing arts throughout Arizona, she is sure to achieve her goal by opening night.

However, bringing the finest traditional opera performances to the Valley doesn’t come without a price. Without generous contributors, December’s upcoming opera debut wouldn’t be possible. Interested parties can contribute to PMO in a variety of ways, including memorial, honorary, and legacy gifts. Donations also help fund trips to senior centers, assisted-living facilities, and nursing homes to ensure opera reaches those who cannot travel to see live performances. The Schuld Family Fund just donated a generous gift of $100,000 to Phoenix Metropolitan Opera, which will be used to support the upcoming performing arts. Dubinbaum, along with educational director Wendy Umbrianna, is also planning an innovative educational program for elementary through secondary Arizona schools. This program will bring opera into our schools, but will also teach history, literature, language, dance, theater, musical instruments, and other essential subjects to cultivate young minds and increase their creativity.

Another aspect of PMO is their upcoming Young Artist Development Program. This one-year program will develop and nurture local talent, ages 20–34, who have demonstrated a possible future as professional operatic singers. Dubinbaum is astonished by and proud of the high degree of talent we have in the Valley, and this program will help introduce these gifted people to the world. Donations to fund this program are needed as well.

Ultimately, gifts provided by supporters of the Phoenix Metropolitan Opera will aid in the construction of a Phoenix opera house, securing the permanent status of opera in the Valley. Until then, Dubinbaum will continue to bring opera to life with traditional performances from popular works from the late 18^th through 20^th centuries. These performances will delight Valley residents and, thanks to Dubinbaum, transform Phoenix into a city that highlights some of the most famous operatic productions and the finest voices in the world.

For more information on how you can donate to the Phoenix Metropolitan Opera, or for details on their upcoming productions, visit phoenixmetropolitanopera.org

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 at 4:15 pm and is filed under June-Jul-07, Local Profile, PEOPLE/PLACES/THINGS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.