HANDEL’S HANDEL’S &
&
FRIDAY 7:30PM FEBRUARY 27, 2026
FRIDAY 7:30PM FEBRUARY 27, 2026
SUNDAY 2:30PM MARCH 1, 2026 SUNDAY 2:30PM MARCH 1, 2026
Photo by Zach Mendez
Daniel “Dan” Reicker
January 27, 1942 - December 13, 2025
Dan Reicker served Opera Santa Barbara with extraordinary dedication for 25 years, and his legacy is woven into the very fabric of our organization. A steady, wise, and deeply principled presence, Dan offered his guidance with quiet authority, integrity, and unwavering loyalty to OSB’s mission. His love of opera, generous spirit, and steadfast service—as a board member, legal counsel, and trusted advisor— helped shape the company we are today. Quite simply, Opera Santa Barbara would not be what it is without Dan’s guidance, generosity, and belief in the enduring power of music. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
FROM THE ARTISTIC AND GENERAL DIRECTOR
A Promise Kept: Welcome to Handel’s Egypt!
I must confess, I was a late convert to Handel’s operas. For years, I admired them from a distance —respecting their place in history but finding them a bit formal. That changed the first time I heard Rodelinda. I was completely won over by the unabashed romanticism and sheer showmanship of the music. The dazzling vocal fireworks, emotional depth, and raw theatricality were a revelation. Beneath the powdered wigs and formal structures were stories of extraordinary passion and humanity, waiting to be unleashed.
When we programmed Semele in 2022, I was nervous. Baroque opera is notoriously hard to sell, and our timing could not have been worse: the Omicron variant of COVID was surging, and many ticket holders stayed home. Yet those who came told us it was one of the best things Opera Santa Barbara had ever done. The response was so strong that I promised our board and staff we would return to Handel soon. Today, I’m keeping that promise.
For our next Handel, we chose his best known and most ambitious work—a tale of political intrigue and personal desire that feels as relevant today as it did 300 years ago. Think House of Cards in ancient Egypt. While many modern productions place this opera in abstract or stylized settings, I was drawn to the idea of a visually rich, realistic ancient world. Our original plan was a minimalist, chamber-scale production. Then a transformative gift from Cheryl Goldberg changed everything, allowing us to imagine something far more expansive: a bold, cinematic aesthetic worthy of Handel’s grand score.
Director and designer Josh Shaw embraced that vision, creating a world that is both epic and intimate, where the drama unfolds with cinematic speed. Conductor Emily Senturia—who so brilliantly led Semele—returns to guide Handel’s magnificent music. We have condensed the opera’s original four-hour running time into a fast-moving two hours, preserving the musical highlights and dramatic confrontations. My hope is that you will be swept away by the same energy and passion that first captivated me—and carried us through OSB’s unforgettable Semele. Let the music carry you down the Nile into a world of power, passion, and breathtaking vocal beauty.
Enjoy!
Kostis Protopapas
Trained in Santa Barbara...
Applauded on our Stage!
Bob Weinman congratulates Music Academy Alumni who have gone on to perform with Opera Santa Barbara.
Thorsteinn Abjornsson
Javier Abreu
Julie Adams
Ernest Alvarez
Isabel Bayrakdarian
Bernardo Bermudez
Evan Bravos
Brandon Cedel
Eugene Chan
Rena Harms
Michael Hayes
Evan Hughes
Nicolai Janitzky
Ben Lowe
Ani Maldjian
Byron Mayes
Deborah Nansteel
John Osborn
Keith Phares
Lee Poulis
Jessica Rivera
Michael Segura
Nathan Stark
Marcy Stonikas
Logan Tanner
Karen Vuong
Bray Wilkins
Janette Zilioli
presents
CAESAR & CLEOPATRA
BY GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
FEB 27, 2026 AT 7:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
MARCH 1, 2026 AT 2:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
CAST
Julius Caesar
Cleopatra............................................................................................................
Sesto
Cornelia .............................................................................................................
Colin Ramsey+
Anastasia Malliaras *
Kelly Guerra+
Christina Pezzarossi+
Tolomeo .......................................................................................................................... Logan Tanner
Achilla
Matthew Peterson+
Nireno............................................................................................................................ Alexandra Bass *
Curio
+ Chrisman Studio Artist Alumni * OSB Debut
PRODUCTION
CONDUCTOR
Emily Senturia
STAGE DIRECTOR & SET DESIGNER
Josh Shaw
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Helena Kuukka
COSTUME DESIGNER
Stacie Logue
PROPS DESIGNER
T. Theresa Scarano
HAIR & MAKEUP
DESIGNER
Heather Sterling
PIANIST & ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR
Kyle Naig
CHORUS MASTER
Kostis Protopapas
PRODUCTION
STAGE MANAGER
Kourtni Noll
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Todd Jared
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS
Jessica Haro
Hannah Hudgins
Christopher Walters+
KEY WIG & MAKEUP
SUPERVISOR
Heather Sterling
HAIR & MAKEUP
ARTIST
Marisol Miller-Wave
MASTER CARPENTER
David Handler
SET BUILDER
Anthony Moresi
COSTUME SHOP STAFF
Kim Foster
Logan Tanner Semele Nathan Stark Das Rheingold
Evan Bravos and Ashley Armstrong in As One
Deborah Nansteel Il Tovatore
Bernardo Bermudez Zorro
Michael Segura Carmen
CREATE YOUR OPERA LEGACY TODAY.
Join Opera Santa Barbara's
The Bravo Society was established for individuals who want to leave a lasting legacy to ensure opera will flourish in Santa Barbara for future generations.
We thank the following Bravo Society members for their commitment to a thriving opera community:
Barbara H. Burger
Barbara H. Burger
Dr. Mary Collier
Dr. Mary Collier
Patricia Bivans Dixon
Mary Tonetti Dorra
CAESAR & CLEOPATRA SPONSORS
CHRISMAN EMERGING ARTIST FUND
Julius Caesar, Colin Ramsey
Sesto, Kelly Guerra
Cornelia, Christina Pezzarossi
PRODUCTION SPONSORSHIPS
STAGE DIRECTOR, JOSH SHAW
Fred and Nancy Golden
CONDUCTOR, EMILY SENTURIA
Mahri Kerley
CLEOPATRA, ANASTASIA MALLIARAS
Bella Domani
TOLOMEO, LOGAN TANNER
Margaret Campbell Arvey
Achilla, Matthew Peterson
Nireno, Alexandra Bass
Curio, Christopher Walters
OSB CHORUS
Monica and Brooke Williams
LIGHTING DESIGN, HELENA KUUKKA
Nikkaëlle Burlett
PLAYBILL
Lynn P. Kirst
Suzanne and Duncan Mellichamp
Suzanne and Duncan Mellichamp
Lori Meschler
Lori Meschler
STUDENT MATINEE SPONSORS
Eric Oltmann and Susan Van Abel
Eric Oltmann and Susan Van Abel
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Nancy and Fred Golden
Nancy and Fred Golden
Pamela Gunther
Pamela Gunther
Christine and Michael Holland
Christine and Michael Holland
Herbert Kendall
Herbert Kendall
Karen C. Knight
Jean Rogers
Jean Rogers
The Mithun Family Foundation The Music Performance Trust Fund
Joan Rutkowski
Joan Rutkowski
Judith Smith
Judith Smith
Dr. Robert Weinman
Takako Wakita
Dr. Robert Weinman
Did you know that without our donors the average cost of an OSB opera ticket would be $283 instead of $96? We are grateful to our donors, sponsors, and foundations, whose generosity allows us to present high quality operas while keeping ticket prices affordable.
Sponsorships are one of the most important ways opera lovers can help bring works like this to the stage. For more information about becoming a sponsor or artist host, contact Jessica@operasb.org or call our office at (805) 898-3890 Ext 1.
Learn more about Bravo Society membership and benefits at operasb.org/support or contact Jessica Hetrick, Executive Development Officer at Jessica@operasb.org
Learn more about Bravo Society membership and benefits at operasb.org/support or contact Amy Marshall, Director of Development at amy@operasb.org
Please turn off all cell phones, electronic devices, and watch alarms. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the house management. Members of the audience who leave during the performance will not be shown back into the theater until the next intermission. The use of camera and recording equipment is strictly prohibited. Your use of a ticket acknowledges your willingness to appear in photographs taken or videos filmed in public areas of the Lobero Theatre, and releases the theater and its lessees and others from liability resulting from use of such photographs or video footage.
A college football hero with a taste for liquor and an eye for women falls for a charismatic evangelist, and discovers that he has a talent for the pulpit himself. What can go wrong?
Evan Bravos Pezzarossi heart and save your soul in an operatic reviva
Caesar & Cleopatra places its characters at the intersection of public role and private truth, asking what it means to lead and to be seen authentically. Cleopatra’s shifting identities and disguises allow her to explore power, desire, and vulnerability in ways that would be impossible within the rigid role she initially inhabits. Her true transformation arrives not when she puts on a disguise, but when she lays it aside. She emerges with clarity about who she is and what kind of ruler she intends to be.
In that spirit, I want to express my deep gratitude to Opera Santa Barbara and to the wider Santa Barbara community for the respect and generosity shown to me as I, too, have laid aside a long-worn role and stepped more fully into my own life.
I am profoundly grateful to be part of a company that understands transformation not as disruption, but as truth coming into focus—and as something to be honored both onstage and off.
As ever,
Nikkaëlle Burlett, Chair, Board of Directors - Opera Santa Barbara
CAESAR & CLEOPATRA SYNOPSIS
COMPOSER
George Frideric Handel
SUNG IN ITALIAN
RUN TIME: 2 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES, INCLUDING A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION
ENGLISH SUPERTITLES BY: MICHAEL CHADWICK, CHADWICK CREATIVE ARTS
FEB 27, 2026 AT 7:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE MARCH 1, 2026 AT 2:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
— ACT I —
Giulio Cesare enters Alexandria with his general Curio and his army. They are met by Cornelia and Sesto, the wife and son of Pompei, who have come to plead for peace. Caesar agrees to embrace his enemy, but at that moment Achilla, general of Tolomeo, arrives with a greeting and gift from his king: Pompei’s severed head. Disgusted, Caesar sends Achilla back with an angry message for Tolomeo and a threatening promise that he will meet with the king at his palace before nightfall. Cornelia laments her loss and Sesto swears to avenge his dead father.
In the palace at Alexandria, Cleopatra plots to take sole possession of the throne. When she learns of Tolomeo’s betrayal of Pompei from her servant Nireno, she resolves to visit Caesar’s camp and win his favor and aid. She and Tolomeo bicker before she steals away. Achilla tells Tolomeo of Caesar’s angry reception of his gift and offers to accomplish his murder if Tolomeo grants him Cornelia as a reward. Tolomeo fears the growing strength of Rome under the leadership of Caesar and agrees.
At his camp, Caesar presides over Pompei's funeral rites. Cleopatra presents herself to him disguised as Lydia, a handmaiden in the palace of Cleopatra. Captivated, Caesar promises to help her. Cleopatra and Nireno watch as Cornelia pays her last respects to her dead husband. Cornelia and Sesto plan together to kill Tolomeo. Cleopatra, still disguised, comes forward and pledges the support of the Queen of Egypt, offering them the services of Nireno as a guide into the palace.
Caesar meets with Tolomeo in an interview of frosty diplomacy. Nevertheless, he cautiously accepts the king’s invitation of hospitality. Cornelia and Sesto confront Tolomeo. He is struck by Cornelia’s beauty, but when Sesto challenges him to combat, he orders their imprisonment. Achilla offers Cornelia her freedom in return for her favor, but she angrily refuses. She and Sesto bid each other a sad farewell before the guards separate them.
With Nireno’s help, Cleopatra has arranged an entertainment at the palace to further ensnare the interest of Caesar. He arrives and is enchanted by her
CAESAR & CLEOPATRA SYNOPSIS
song. Nireno assures him that “Lydia” is deeply attracted and will wait for him later that night in her apartment.
— ACT II —
Cornelia, now a prisoner of Tolomeo, laments her fate. She repulses Achilla once more, only to be met by the advances of Tolomeo himself. She resolves to take her own life but is saved by Sesto. He has escaped from prison with the aid of Nirenus, who also brings the news that Tolomeo has commanded Cornelia to become one of his concubines. He will help to smuggle Sesto into the harem as well, where, unguarded, the king will be at his most vulnerable.
Cleopatra waits for Caesar. Their tryst is interrupted by Curio, who has overheard Achilla’s assassins searching the palace for Caesar. Cleopatra reveals her true identity to Caesar and begs him to fly to safety. Caesar refuses and goes to face his enemy. Cleopatra prays to the gods to preserve him and the love she now truly feels for him.
Caesar is believed to have plunged to his death in the harbor during the previous night’s assault, but Cleopatra has fled to the Roman camp and mustered an army to march on the palace. Tolomeo prepares to lead his troops, but refuses Achilla the promised reward for Caesar’s death: Cornelia is to be his own prize. A furious Achilla decides to switch his allegiance to Cleopatra.
Tolomeo’s troops are victorious in the battle and Cleopatra is taken prisoner. Her brother promises to take a terrible revenge, but she faces death with courage. Caesar, meanwhile, is not dead: the sea has cast him up onto the shore. Far from his armies, he prays to the wind for help. Sesto and Nireno stumble across the wounded Achilla dying on the beach. Overheard by Caesar, he gives Sesto a seal that will give the bearer authority to command his troops. As Achilla dies, Caesar takes the seal from Sesto and leaves to assemble a force to storm the palace. Sesto finds new hope. Revenge will soon be his. Hopeless, Cleopatra is prepared to take her own life. Caesar breaks in with his troops and rescues her.
Believing himself to be victorious, Tolomeo sees no obstacle to his pursuit of Cornelia, but Sesto at last seizes his chance and kills him. The battle has been won and Caesar crowns Cleopatra as sole Queen of Egypt. She declares her allegiance to the Roman Empire. The lovers sing and all welcome the arrival of peace.
— The Metropolitan Opera, Edits by Josh Shaw
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
ORCHESTRA
VIOLIN 1
Sam Fischer, Concertmaster
Steven Zander, Associate Concertmaster
Colleen Coomber
VIOLIN 2
Ji Young An, Principal
Anna Kostyuchek
Maia Zander
VIOLA
Diane Gilbert, Principal
Briana Bandy
CELLO
Christopher Ahn, Principal
Jacqueline Greenshields
BASS
Neil Garber, Principal
CHORUS
Nathan Carlin
Zachary Davis
David Harridge
Gaia Hubbard
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Kostis Protopapas
CONDUCTOR
Emily Senturia
PIANIST AND ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR
Kyle Naig
FLUTE
Gary Woodward, Principal
Suzanne Duffy
OBOE
Catherine Del Russo, Principal Trey Farrell
BASSOON
Duncan Massey, Principal
HORN
Danielle Ondarza, Principal Rachel Hockenberry
THEORBO
Jason Yoshida, Principal
KEYBOARD
Kyle Naig, Principal
Angela Lamar
William Lyons
Angeline Petronijevic Cora Stolper
Mica Basilici MUSIC STAFF
CHORUS MANAGER
Angeline Petronijevic
ORCHESTRA MANAGER
Suzanne Duffy
SUPERTITLE OPERATOR
LOBERO THEATRE STAFF
Opera Santa Barbara’s Orchestra musicians are represented by the American Federation of Musicians, Local 308. Stage employees supplied by I.A.T.S.E. 442 Santa Barbara Tri Counties. All editorial materials © Opera Santa Barbara, 2021. The opinions in this program do not necessarily reflect those of Opera Santa Barbara.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Marianne Clark
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Peter Williams
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Brandon Mowery
CONTROLLER
Don McGreevy
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR & PRODUCTION MANAGER
Todd A. Jared
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Cecilia Martini-Muth
BOX OFFICE MANAGER
Joshua James
ASSISTANT BOX OFFICE MANAGER
Erica Ostlander
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Jaren Coler
RENTAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
Gina Graham
CONCESSION MANAGER
Betsy Craig
HOUSE MANAGER
Rick Villa
CONSULTANTS
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Karen Kowalski
PHOTOGRAPHY
Cory Weaver
PHOTOGRAPHY
Heidi Bergseteren
AUDIO RECORDING
Opus 1 Mobile Recording
GALA COMMITTEE
Chef
ILLUMINATING EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE PURPOSE AND CONNECTION
JOSH SHAW
Stage Director
Named as one of Musical America’s Top 30 Professionals of the Year in 2023, Josh Shaw is the Founding Artistic Director and CEO of Pacific Opera Project (POP), which has been described as "L.A.'s most exciting opera company." Since turning his attention to directing in 2011, Mr. Shaw has directed and designed over 125 productions at companies including Opera Santa Barbara, New Orleans Opera, Opera Orlando, Festival Opera, Gulfshore Opera, Opera Montana, Salt Marsh Opera, Opera Neo, Queen City Opera, Opera Columbus, Opera Las Vegas, and Opera in the Heights. Favorite productions include The Rake’s Progress, Ariadne auf Naxos, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Tosca: A Moving Production, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, La Gazzetta, and La boheme: AKA “The Hipsters”.
A frequent librettist for English updates, his Star Trek inspired Abduction from the Seraglio and Nintendo inspired The Magic Flute: AKA #SuperFlute have gained national attention and have been produced by multiple companies, shattering attendance records. Other English libretti including a Wild West setting of Die Lustige Witwe, a contemporary setting of Trial by Jury, Covid fan tutte, a 1930s Hollywood Fledermaus, Rusalka, and a groundbreaking production of Madama Butterfly sung in Japanese and English.
Recent projects include H.M.S. Pinafore, Turandot, Carmen, a production of Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta starring “The Blind Soprano” Cristina Jones, and the US premieres of Vivaldi’s Ercole su’l Termodonte, Salieri’s La Scoula de’ Gelosi, and Cagnoni’s Don Bucefalo.
One of the busiest directors during Covid, Mr. Shaw directed more than a dozen productions during the pandemic including US staged premieres of Gluck’s La Corona and Il Parnaso Confuso, a drive-in Don Pasquale for Opera Santa Barbara, and an updated Cosi – “Covid fan tutte” set in 2020.
This season Mr. Shaw directs Pagliacci, Fra Diavolo, Abduction from the Seraglio, Turandot, and Zorro, at POP as well as The Pirates of Penzance at Salt Marsh Opera, Carmen at Gulfshore Opera, Madama Butterfly at Opera Louisiane, and The Pirates of Penzance, Scalia/Ginsburg, and Trial by Jury at Utah Festival Opera. More at joshshaw.org
EMILY SENTURIA
Conductor
San Francisco native Emily Senturia draws from her diverse experience as a violinist and opera coach to conduct operatic repertoire with a sympathetic affinity for both singers and instrumentalists. Recent productions include La traviata at Kentucky Opera, Le nozze di Figaro with both Wolf Trap Opera and Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, the world premiere of Nat Stookey and Eisa Davis’ Bulrusher at West Edge Opera, and Rinaldo at both The Glimmerglass Festival and Minnesota Opera. Her 2026 season continues with Giulio Cesare at Opera Santa Barbara, Così fan tutte at Madison Opera, and Rinaldo with West Edge Opera.
Emily made mainstage debuts conducting Il barbiere di Siviglia with both Houston Grand Opera and Washington National Opera in 2018 and music directed the world premiere of Denis & Katya at Opera Philadelphia’s O19 Festival. She has worked on music staff at Houston Grand Opera, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, The Atlanta Opera, and Opera Philadelphia. emilysenturia.com
COLIN RAMSEY
Julius Caesar
HOMETOWN: Greenwich, CT
LIVES IN: Ventura, CA
Previously at OSB: Le nozze di Figaro (Figaro) 2025; Carmen (Escamillo) 2023; Die Walkure (Hunding) 2023; Semele (Cadmus and Somnus) 2022; Das Rheingold (Fafner) 2022; The Crucible (Reverend Hale) 2019; Manon (Count des Grieux) 2017
Career Highlights: Andrea Chenier (Dumas Cover), Metropolitan Opera; La Cenerentola (Alidoro), Lyric Opera Kansas City; The Consul (Mr. Kofner) Seattle Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Turandot (Timur) Pacific Opera Project; Elmer Gantry (TJ Rigg) Opera Santa Barbara; TBA Opera Lafayette, TBA Metropolitan Opera, TBA Utah Opera www.colinramsey.com/
ANASTASIA MALLIARAS
Cleopatra
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Lives in: Los Angeles, CA
Previously at OSB: OSB Debut
Career Highlights: Mozart Requiem (Soprano Soloist) Santa Barbara Symphony, Cosí fan tutte (Despina, cover) Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Gerdine Young Artist
Upcoming Engagements: Carmina Burana (Soprano Soloist) Modesto Symphony anastasiamalliaras.com, @tayja_vu
KELLY GUERRA
Sesto
Hometown: Simi Valley, CA
Lives in: New York, New York
Previously at OSB: Zorro (Carlotta de Obragón), 2024; Cruzar la Cara de la Luna (Lupita), 2021; The Crucible (Betty Parris) 2019, Christmas Studio Artist 2019-2020
Career Highlights: Ainadamar (Niña), the Metropolitan Opera; Dolores (Dolores), Opera Southwest/ West Edge Opera, Little Women (Jo March) Fort Worth Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Light in the Piazza (Franca), Opera Theatre of Saint Louis; María de Buenos Aires (María) Opera Orlando, Carmen (Carmen) Opera San Jose
@kellyguerramezzo & kellyguerramezzo.com
CHRISTINA PEZZAROSSI Cornelia
Hometown: Miles City, MT
Lives in: Ventura, CA
Previously at OSB: Le nozze di Figaro (Marcellina), 2025; El gato con botas (El gato), 2023; The Valkyrie (Rossweisse), 2023; The Light in the Piazza (Margaret), 2023; La scala di seta (Lucilla), 2022; Semele (Ino), 2022; Das Rheingold (Wellegunde), 2021
Career Highlights: Le nozze di Figaro (Cherubino) Opera Las Vegas; Carmen (Carmen), Opera San Luis Obispo; Florencia en el Amazonas (Paula), Pensacola Opera.
Upcoming Engagements: Elmer Gantry (Sharon Falconer), Opera Santa Barbara; Carmen (Carmen) Valley Opera & Performing Arts. christinapezzarossimezzo.com, @xtinamezzo
LOGAN TANNER
Tolomeo
Hometown: San Angelo, TX
Lives in: Philadelphia
Previously at OSB: Semele (Athamas) 2022
Career Highlights: Semele (Athamas) Opera Santa Barbara 2022; Carmina Burana (Swan) Tuscon Symphony 2025
Upcoming Engagements: Baltimore Chamber orchestra 2026; Carmina Burana (Swan) Richmond Symphony 2027; Carmina Burana (swan) Sarasota orchestra 2027
@Logantanneropera, Logantanneropera.com
MATTHEW PETERSON
Achilla
HOMETOWN: Brush, CO
LIVES IN: Santa Barbara, CA
Previously at OSB: Le Nozze di Figaro (Count Almaviva), 2025; Pagliacci (Silvio), 2024; Carmen (Zuniga), 2023; La Scala di Seta (Blansac), 2022
Career Highlights: Le Nozze di Figaro (Count Almaviva), Opera Las Vegas; Don Pasquale (Malatesta), Mendocino Music Festival; Billy Budd (Billy Budd Cover & Novice's Friend), Central City Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Pagliacci (Silvio), Music in the Mountains; La Boheme (Schaunard), Mendocino Music Festival matthewpetersonbaritone.com
ALEXANDRA BASS
Nireno
HOMETOWN: Thousand Oaks, CA
LIVES IN: Thousand Oaks, CA
Previously at OSB: Chorus 2023-2026
Career Highlights: The Camp (Haruko Shimono), Plain Woods Productions & the JACCC; The Tell-Tale Heart (The Officer), Modern Opera Company; The Pirates of Penzance (Kate), Pacific Opera Project
Upcoming Engagements: Elmer Gantry (Chorus), Opera Santa Barbara
AlexandraBassMezzo.com
CHRISTOPHER WALTERS
Curio
HOMETOWN: Oceanside, CA
LIVES IN: Long Beach, CA
Previously at OSB: OSB Debut
Career Highlights: A Cinderella Story (Father), Pacific Opera Project; Fête Galante (Pierrot), Lyric Opera of Orange County; Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi), Genesis Opera Theatre
Upcoming Engagements: The Music Shop (Dmitri Cover), Chautauqua Opera Company; Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro), Chautauqua Opera-in-the-Schools @irisheggroll
KYLE NAIG
Pianist and Assistant Conductor
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Lives in: Berkeley, California
Previously at OSB: Il barbiere di Siviglia (2018); Manon (2017); Suor Angelica/Gianni Schicchi (2016); L'elisir d'amore (2016)
Career Highlights: Madama Butterfly (Music Staff), Los Angeles Opera; Breaking the Waves (Principal Coach), Houston Grand Opera; La bohème (Conductor), El Paso Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Messiah (Cover Conductor), Houston Grand Opera; Il barbiere di Siviglia (Cover Conductor), Houston Grand Opera; American Apollo (Cover Conductor), West Edge Opera kylenaig.com
ARTISTS
HELENA KUUKKA
Lighting Designer
HOMETOWN: Helsinki, Finland
LIVES IN: Novato, CA
Previously at OSB: Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci, Zorro, Carmen, Tosca, An American Dream, La Scala di Seta, Eugene Onegin, Barber of Seville.
Career Highlights: Aida (Vancouver Opera), Eugene Onegin (Florida Grand Opera), Dracula (Ballet Memphis), Jersey Boys (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma)
Upcoming Engagements: Elmer Gantry (Opera Santa Barbara), Sister Act and Sweeney Todd (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma)
STACIE LOGUE
Costume Designer
Hometown: SoCal
Lives in: Ventura
Previously at OSB: worked with the company since 2004
Career Highlights: Semele (costume designer); Zorro (costume designer); Cavalleria Rusticana (costume designer)
Upcoming Engagements: Little Women (costume designer), Westmont College; Elmer Gantry (costume manager), Opera Santa Barbara
T. THERESA SCARANO
Props Designer
HOMETOWN: Roswell, New Mexico.
LIVES IN: Southern California
Previously at OSB: Prop Designer since 2017
Career Highlights: San Bernardino CLO/The Set Company (Scenery Rental Manager); Daddy Longlegs (Prop Designer), original production; Universal Studios Hollywood (Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure and Grinchmas).
Upcoming engagements: Crone Creed (Co-writer/ co-producer/production coordinator) Theater4All,
Summer shows (Prop Designer): Moonlight Productions, Elmer Gantry (Prop Designer) Opera Santa Barbara.
HEATHER STERLING
Hair and Makeup Design
Key Wig and Makeup Supervisor
Hometown: Salinas, CA
Lives in: San Jose, CA
Previously at OSB: The Daughter of the Regiment (2025), The Marriage of Figaro (2025), Pagliacci (2024), Zorro (2024), Il Trovatore (2024), Carmen (2023)
Career Highlights: Alisa Weilerstein’s: FRAGMENTS (Hair/Makeup Designer), Askonas Holt; Manona (Hair/ Makeup Designer), Opera Santa Barbara; Candide (Wig/Makeup Designer), San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Upcoming Engagements: Cendrillon (SFCM)
KOURTNI NOLL
Production Stage Manager
Hometown: Plano, TX
Lives In: Camarillo, CA
Previously at OSB: PSM, Marriage of Figaro, 2025 Highlights: Celebrating 13 years at OSB!
Upcoming Engagements: PSM at OSB for the 20252026 season!
Where can we find you: https://cosoc.com/KidKourt13
JESSICA HARO
Assistant Stage Manager
Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA
Lives in: Santa Barbara, CA
Previously at OSB: Il Trovatore, Pagliacci, The Marriage of Figaro, Daughter of the Regiment
Career Highlights: Pretty Woman The Musical (Production Stage Manager), The Gateway; Lilian (Production Stage Manager), Ensemble Theatre
Company; Carmen (Assistant Stage Manager), Music Academy of the West.
Upcoming Engagements: Elmer Gantry, OSB jessicaharo.com
HANNAH HUDGINS
Assistant Stage Manager
Hometown: Yuba City, CA
Lives in: Santa Clara, CA
Previously at OSB: OSB Debut
Career Highlights: Florencia en el Amazonas (ASM), Opera San Jose; Carmen (Asst. Dir.) Opera San Jose; Bernstein's Mass (PSM), SJSU
Upcoming Engagements: La Voix Humaine (PSM) SJSU
TODD JARED
Technical Director
Hometown: Hollywood, CA
Lives in: Carpinteria, CA
Previously at OSB: Multiple productions since the company’s birth in 1993.
Career Highlights: Technical Director for the Lobero Theatre since 1992.
Congratulations to Opera Santa Barbara on its 32nd season of bringing world class opera to Santa Barbara!
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
TEAM OSB
ARTISTIC & GENERAL DIRECTOR
Kostis Protopapas
DEPUTY GENERAL DIRECTOR FOR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Nina Dunbar
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
Helena Kuukka
EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT & ADMIN OFFICER
Jessica Hetrick
COMPANY & MEDIA MANAGER
Julia Lieberman
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Nicole Hunsaker
STUDENT MATINEE COORDINATOR
Sarah Raines
HOUSING DONORS
Minos and Tracey Athanassiadis
Rodney Baker and Robert Ooley
Veronique Chevalier
Jared Darlington
Judy Dean
Robert Ramey
Christina and Colin Ramsey
Joan Rutkowski
Michael and Beverly Steinfeld
SPECIAL THANKS
Richard and Amanda Payatt for hosting our Artist Welcome Party
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
FOUNDERS
Marilyn Gilbert & Nathan Rundlett
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nikkaëlle Burlett, Chair
Robert Weinman, 1st Vice Chair
Christine Holland, 2nd Vice Chair
Torben von Staden, Treasurer
Rodney Baker, Secretary
Arthur Swalley, Member at Large
Barbara Burger
Judy Dean
Brian Galura
Dan Hone
Mahri Kerley
Karen Knight
Joan Rutkowski
Judith Smith
OSB CIRCLE OF HONOR
Sarah & Roger Chrisman
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Fred and Nancy Golden
Herbert Kendall*
Sarah Jane Lind*
Sandra Urquhart
Takako Wakita
Monica Williams
Simon Williams
Suzanne and Duncan Mellichamp
Eric Oltmann
Mary Penny
Dan Reicker*
Fred Sidon
VALUED FORMER BOARD MEMBERS
Richard Aberle*
Susan Aberle
Pat Andersons
James Ballantine
Britt Beauvoix
Peter Bertling
Marlyn Bernard Bernstein*
Sue Birch
Cynthia Brittain
Jim Burkemper*
Christopher Carroll*
Sarah & Roger Chrisman
Bonnie Corman
Marilyn Crawford
Roger Davidson*
Denise DeBellefeuille
George DeRado*
Josepha DeRado
Patricia Dixon
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Nick DiNapoli*
Jon DuPrau
Leni Fe Bland*
Kenneth Fitzpatrick
Louise Gaylord
Steve Gilbar
Fred and Nancy Golden
Mary Hampson
William Jones
Stuart Kart
Gregory McMurray
Suzanne and Duncan Mellichamp
Jayne Menkemeller
Dylan Minor
Carolina Montgomery
A.C. Moore
Martin Moskovits
Eric Oltmann
David Peri*
Paksy Plackis-Cheng
William Ramsay*
Ida Rickborn*
Dan Reicker*
Jean Rogers
J. Gordon Schontzler*
Eric Small
Linda Van Buren
Joann Younger
Bravissimi!
We gratefully acknowledge the members of our community who have kept opera a vibrant part of Santa Barabra this year.
GRAND IMPRESARIO
($25,000+)
Susan Aberle
The Christopher Carroll Endowment
Bella Domani
Monica Eiler
Sarah and Roger Chrisman
The Gainey Foundation
Cheryl Goldberg
Fred and Nancy Golden
Green Hills Software
The Mithun Family Foundation
The Mosher Foundation
The Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation
Joan Rutkowski
Maya Smidt and The Smidt Family Foundation
Marc and Pauline Sylvain
Dr. Robert and Sandy Urquhart
Carol Vernon and Robert Turbin
Dr. Robert Weinman
The Zegar Family Foundation
PLATINUM IMPRESARIO
($10,000 - $24,999)
The Ann Jackson
Family Foundation
Roxana Anson
Arlington Financial Advisors
Margaret C. Arvey
Eve Bernstein
Barbara H. Burger
Nikkaëlle Burlett
Dan and Meg Burnham
Denise and Ian Burrows
The George H. and Olive J. Griffiths Charitable Foundation
Mary Hampson
Christine and Michael Holland
Daniel and Donna W. Hone
Mahri Kerley
David Mason
Dick and Marilyn Mazess
Lana McIntyre
Eric J Oltmann and Susan Van Abel
Dan and Romy Reicker
Jean Rogers
The Santa Barbara Office of Arts & Culture
Charles Schweppe and Ingrid Olsson
The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts
Torben and Lauren Von Staden
Takako Joy Wakita
Monica and Brooke Williams
Simon and Euzetta John Williams
GOLD IMPRESARIO
($5,000-$9,999)
Todd and Allyson Aldrich
Rodney Baker and Robert Ooley
Joan H. Davidson
Judy Dean
Mary Tonetti Dorra
The Hamister Foundation
IMPRESARIO CIRCLE
Dr. Gerhart Hoffmeister
Jovita and Alex Honor
Lynn P. Kirst
Chris Lancashire
Duncan and Suzanne Mellichamp
Montecito Bank & Trust
The Music Performance Trust Fund
Farrokh and Sally Nazerian
Lee and Linda Rosenberg
Dana White
Philip Wyatt
SILVER IMPRESARIO
($2,500-$4,999)
Richard and Kathy Abbott
Robert F. Adams and Nancy Clare Caponi
James and Lisa Ballantine
Jon DuPrau
Bunny Freidus
Glen and Nancy Holden
Dr. Ron Latimer
Julia Lowell and Douglas Steigerwald
Peter Morris
Rick O'shay and Teresa Kuskey
Donley and Valerie Olson
The Performing Arts
Scholarship Foundation
Kostis Protopapas and Christina Omdahl
David Reichert
Christine and Stefan Riesenfeld
The Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation
The Santa Barbara Foundation
Anitra Sheen
Judith Smith
Arthur Swalley
Vista del Monte
Drs. Fred and Linda Wudl
IMPRESARIO
($1,700-$2,499)
Peter and Linda Beuret
John Bowers
Debbie and Mike Bruce
Marilyn Gilbert
John and Ilse Gilbert
Henning Jensen
George Konstantinow and Helene Segal
Judith Muller
Tracy and Vicki Noll
The Seniel and Dorothy Ostrow Foundation
Owen Smith
Anne Towbes
Sandra Walther
More Splashing.
Some come for strength training, some for selfcare, and everyone appreciates the camaraderie they find. The wellness programs and social activities at the Vista del Monte Fitness and Aquatic Center do wonders for the body and the mind. The best part? You don’t have to be a Vista resident to experience it— anyone 50+ can join.
Visit sbseniorfit.org or call ( 805) 879-5556 to schedule a tour and become a Fitness and Aquatic Center member. Dive in!
FOUNDING TEAM
Frank Tabar, MBA, CTA, CFE, CSOP
Joseph Weiland, CFP ®
Dianne Duva, CFP ®
Wells Hughes
John Lorenz
Cody Makela, CFP ®
Arthur Swalley, CIMA®
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
AFICIONADO
($500-$1,699)
Guenter Ahlers
Debbie and Greg Armstrong
Minos and Tracey Athanassiadis
Jim Bagley
Kara and Derek Beaulieu
Robert Benham
Sarah-Bina Burke
Janey and Ken Campbell
Veronique Chevalier
Dr. Bonnie Corman
Jim Craviotto
Kourtni Dale Noll
Jared Darlington
Robert and Nancy Dein
Meg DiNapoli
Martha Fling
Brian and Jana Galura
Bob and Mary Gates
Cecilia Harris
Ruth and Alan Heeger
Barbara Hirsch
Brian Hotchkin
The Hutton Parker Foundation
Ugo and Sunny Iacobellis
James Kashian and Thomas Proctor
Karen Knight
James and Elinor Langer
Sue Larsen
Laura Levy
Marcella Lindbery
Doug and Martha Lorch
Gail Lucas
David and Elise McKee
James Melillo
Anthony and Revae Moran
Michael and Christine Morfit
Pauline Paulin
Priscilla Peale
Christina Ramsey
Roger and Angelika Rutz
Melville Sahyun
Michele Sakakibara
The Santa Barbara Trust For Historic Preservation
Susan Schmidt
Jill and Scott Seltzer
Chuck and Missy Sheldon
Drs. Michael and Beverly Steinfeld
Samantha Stout
Mark Suarez
Mary Jo Swalley
Katie Szopa
Frank Tabar
Ellin Todd
John and Dorothy Warnock
Lita West
Dennis Whelan
Charles Wylie
Joann Younger
SUSTAINER
($250-$499)
Anonymous
Tim Accurso
Roger Adams
Carla Amussen
Michael Baskin
Carolyn and Cory Beckwith
Nancy and Ken Beisser
Mashey Bernstein
Polly and Roger Bookwalter
Gary and Karen Carlton
Agatha Carubia
Mitch Chupack and Laura Tompkins
Marianne Clark
Stephen Cloud
Mary Blackwood Collier
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
Edward S. De Loreto
Klara Dykastova von Steinsberg
Drs. Peter C. Ford and Mary Howe-Grant
Mary and Blas Garza
Jerry and Sandy Gothe
Pamela Gunther
Carolyn Holmquist
Gaia and Nir Kabaretti
Harry and Grace Kazali
John Lyngaas
Raymond Riezman
Steven R. Siegel and Joan Tapper
Brian Stenfors
Irene and Robert Stone
Marylove Thralls and Michael Hackett
Philip Trevezas
Gary Yencich
Pearl Zalon
CONTRIBUTOR
($100-$249)
Anonymous
Catherine Albanese
David Asbell
James Benham
Jill W. Breedon
Jehanne Brown
Deborah Collins
John Douglas
Nina Dunbar
Gail Elnicky
Mary Furner
Lisa Claudette Gilinger
Barbara and Jon Greenleaf
Sherrie Grimes
Douglas Heithoff
Peggy Hill
Richard Hughes
Barbara Hume
Hunsaker Consulting
Jane Jacobs
Hunter T Jameson
John and Joan Jamieson
Kent Jennings
Lynette Klawon
Annette and Alex Kowblanksy
Courtney Lees
Michael Lewellen
Sizhuang Liang
Dr. Fima Lifshitz
Pamela and Russ Lombardo
Nancy Ludgus
Robert Main
Della and Art McKinster
Lori Kraft Meschler
Frank Migliazza
Kerry Mistretta
William F Mooney
Rozann Newman
Diane Noel
Mary Orcutt
Lynne Ramsey
Vivian Rangel
Judith Rice
Dr. Daniel Rimkus
Robert E. Ronus
Judith and Michael
Dr. Paula Rudolph
Randy Stephens and Darrolyn Fennelly
Takeo and Tsvia Tabuchi
Peter and Betty Wenzel
Dr. Paula Yurkanis Bruice
Julija Zonic
FRIEND
($99-)
Chris Brock
Ernest Caldwell
Maeapple Chaney
Anne Marie Claydon
Lance Crawford
David and Ann Dwelley
Kirsten Ellis
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
Angela Ellis and Bob Henrikson
Darrolyn Fennelly and Randy Stephens
Paul Fitzgerald
Betty Fussell
Annette Goena
Nancy Greep
Glenn Hanson
Patricia Haro
Linda Houseman
Rita Lane
Shelah Lompa
Linda Mackinnon
Rosemary and Nicholas Mutton
Catherine Nelson
Michael O'Connell
Amanda Ryvkin
Lisa S.
Conrad Saturnino
Alan and Laura Smith
Amie Taylor
Helen Tomkins
Jeanette Woodward
Todd Yancey
Celebrating the gift of the arts
We are proud to support Opera SB and look forward to their 2025/26 season.
Photo Credit: Zach Mendez