Photo courtesy of Tim Fuller Hanna Glawari (Diane Gardiner) and Prince Danilo (David Malis) posed for the Arizona Opera's production of "The Merry Widow." That show was the first time audience members could purchase "Curtain Call" package tickets, which entitled them to appetizers and cocktails at Barrio after the performance.

Like a pothead making the 4 a.m. beeline to Los Betos, Tucson opera addicts now have a venue that serves their post-performance cravings.

Saturday marked the kick-off of the new partnership between Barrio restaurant, 135 S. Sixth Ave., and the Arizona Opera. Titled "Curtain Call," the partnership is a special ticket package to an opera performance that includes post-show appetizers and cocktails at the eatery.

Opera attendees have the option of purchasing the Curtain Call ticket package on selected Saturday evenings.

The new event means hip opera attendees no longer have to yawn and saunter home after the final aria, but party into the night downtown. Seems unusually lively for the opera.

Both the Arizona Opera and Barrio concur that the partnership is an effort to diversify the typical opera audience (read: old and wealthy) and include younger and less traditional patrons (i.e. those who could stay awake past the 10 p.m. encore).

"This promotion is designed to get new, young persons interested in the opera, to attract someone who has never seen an opera," said Andrea Casertano, Curtain Call coordinator.

The first scheduled Curtain Call, after the "Merry Widow Opera" last weekend, was a success, according to Casertano.

"It's been really fun," Casertano said. "We had quite a few guests who purchased a package, and a few who just showed up after, including a huge group of performers (from the opera). Sometimes they burst into song."

Located in central downtown, Barrio has a history of serving Tucson art patrons before and after downtown events. The short walk from the Tucson Convention Center Music Hall, the performance space for the Arizona Opera, makes Barrio an ideal place for opera patrons to congregate.

The Curtain Call program represents a formal effort for the two businesses to promote the arts downtown - culinary and musical arts.

"Barrio is dedicated to the arts. It's our niche," Andrea Casertano said.

Restaurateurs Ted Parks, Joe Casertano and Jeff Glomski are strong patrons of the arts and hope to initiate similar programs to "Curtain Call" with other local performance groups such as the symphony or theater.

Of the five grand operas produced yearly by the Arizona Opera, Barrio offers the post-performance food and drink package for the final three: "The Merry Widow," which commenced in Tucson on Jan. 19, "Dialogues of the Carmelites" playing Feb. 23 and "Madame Butterfly" playing April 6.

Chef Glomski prepares the specialty food while Casertano creates themed cocktails. Theatergoers can sip a "Carmelite Martini" after the "Dialogues of the Carmelites" or sample a bruschetta appetizer or chocolate truffle desert.

The Arizona Opera offers an eclectic menu of its own, mixing contemporary and classic performances in many languages to attract a diverse audience base.

"Opera is the most complete visual art form, with an orchestra, singing and dancing," said Liz Warren, Arizona Opera Public Relations Manager. "It is compelling because it's so visual, lavish and involved."

The Arizona Opera has several programs already in place to lure a younger audience, including a 20 percent discount on student tickets. In addition, large groups of students can reserve a place at the final opera dress rehearsal performances for $2 to $4. At the dress rehearsals, curtains are not drawn between scenes, offering students a glimpse of behind-the-scenes set mechanics.

"Curtain Call" should result in more young professionals and a few college students venturing across the railroad tracks to sample the growing downtown art scene, an anticipated positive addition to the slow revitalization of downtown Tucson.

For additional information about Curtain Call, call 293-4336. To purchase tickets, contact the Arizona Opera at the same number.