Prepping for ‘War and Peace’

According to a recent article in Tucson’s Arizona Daily Star written by Cathalena Burch, our esteemed Maestro Joel Revzen has been very busy preparing the Metropolitan Opera over the past few months, getting them primed and ready for upcoming performances of Prokofiev’s mammoth “War and Peace.”

As a staff conductor at the Met, Revzen prepared the huge production for the renowned Russian conductor Valery Gergiev to step in just days before opening night to lead the final rehearsals and add his own artistic touches.

Clocking in at about four hours, this production of Prokofiev’s “War and Peace” is one of the largest in Metropolitan Opera history. With a budget of $5 million dollars, it has five acts, 13 scenes, 68 roles sung by 52 soloists, 118 choristers, 41 dancers, 227 non-speaking roles, 1,200 costumes — and even a horse. It also includes a depiction of the largest land battle in European history.

Compare this with the typical budget for an Arizona Opera production – $700,000-$800,000 per opera.

The amount of preparation time for the Met production leaves Maestro Revzen little time for leisure, but he manages to squeeze time in for Arizona Opera business. With his Met connections, the Maestro auditions singers and entertains visiting board members.

Prior to his position at Arizona Opera, Revzen has had an impressive career: as Dean of the St. Louis Conservatory for 12 years, a conductor of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, a faculty conductor of the Aspen Music Festival, and as artistic director of the Berkshire Opera.

Maetro Revzen continues to guest conduct, leading symphony orchestras and opera companies around the world in addition to his duties at the Met and Arizona Opera.

When in New York with the Met, Revzen firmly says that his “first priority and commitment is to Arizona.” He adds, “that’s what I do when I’m here. That’s the reason I do this.” He uses his Met connections to spread the word about the Arizona Opera.

After a nationwide search, Revzen was appointed General and Artistic Director of Arizona Opera in 2003. In this position he leads the artistic vision of the company and garners financial support from donors and sponsors.

He also leads and conducts several Arizona Opera productions each season.

Resources:

• Arizona Opera’s Revzen helped Met prepare epic ‘War and Peace’
• Arizona Opera: General and Artistic Director
• Metropolitan Opera: “War and Peace”