LOBERO LOBERO THEATRE
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21, 7:30PM SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2:30PM
Thank you, Santa Barbara for four sold-out shows in a row!
Pagliacci Pagliacci
DONIZETTI’S DONIZETTI’S
The Daughter of the The Daughter of the MAY 2 & 4, 2025 MAY 2 & 4, 2025
Starring Jana Starring Jana McIntyre McIntyre
See next page about our upcoming shows that are selling fast!
MASCAGNI’S MASCAGNI’S
NOVEMBER 7 & 9, 2025 NOVEMBER 7 & 9, 2025
Starring Sara Starring Sara Saruntino Saruntino
Starring Starring Xavier Prado Xavier Prado
presents
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
BY WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST, 2025 AT 7:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD, 2025 AT 2:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
CAST
Figaro
Colin Ramsey+
Susanna Sunwoo Park+
Countess Almaviva
Count Almaviva ..............................................................................................
Jennifer Lindsay+
Matthew Peterson+
Cherubino ............................................................................................................................ Max Potter+
Marcellina ..........................................................................................................
Christina Pezzarosi+
Dr. Bartolo ...................................................................................................................... E. Scott Levin
Don Basilio
Manfred Anaya *
Antonio Byron Mayes+
Barbarina
Don Curzio ............................................................................................................
Olivia Barker *
William Grundler *
Countess Almaviva Cover ................................................................................ Adrien Roberts
+Chrisman Studio Artist Alumni * OSB Debut
PRODUCTION
CONDUCTOR
Kostis Protopapas
STAGE DIRECTOR
Sara E. Widzer
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER
Nicola Bowie
SET & PROJECTION
DESIGNER
Yuzi Izumihara
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Helena Kuukka
COSTUME DESIGNER
Stacie Logue
PROPS DESIGNER
T. Theresa Scarano
HAIR/MAKEUP
DESIGNER
Heather Sterling
CHORUS MASTER & PRINCIPAL PIANIST
Timothy Accurso
PRODUCTION
STAGE MANAGER
Kourtni Dale-Noll
Mitchiner
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Todd Jared
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS
Jessica Haro
Brynn Jones
HAIR & MAKEUP
SUPERVISOR
Ruth Mitchell
HAIR & MAKEUP
ARTISTS
Sasha Araujo
Itze De Jesus
COSTUME SHOP STAFF
Marissa Flores
Kim Foster
Tatiana Johnson
Roger and I are honored to be associated with the rising careers of these young artists and the new vitality they bring to Opera Santa Barbara
All artist fees are generously covered by
Sarah and Roger Chrisman
Sarah and Roger Chrisman believe access to the performing arts is a basic human right. They feel that a cultural city like Santa Barbara deserves its own opera company for locals and visitors to enjoy. They recognize that a vibrant local opera company is a point of pride for any city, enhancing its quality of life while providing employment and growth opportunities for scores of artists, musicians, and craftspeople. The new Chrisman Emerging Artists Fund will fund advancing the careers of alumni of the Chrisman Studio Artists program and other California-based young artists through principal roles in mainstage operas.
Their ongoing commitment to Opera Santa Barbara’s emerging artists is a testimony to that belief, providing rising local opera stars incredible opportunities to develop their craft & share the stage with Opera Santa Barbara professionals.
THE
MARRIAGE OF FIGARO SPONSORS
EXECUTIVE ARTIST SPONSOR
Sarah & Roger Chrisman
PRODUCTION SPONSOR
The Estate of Mary Calfas Janos
CHORUS & CHORUS MASTER, TIM ACCURSO
Bella Domani
LIGHTING DESIGN, HELENA KUUKKA
Nicholas Burlett and Jessie Dove
SUPERTITLES
Bella Domani
SUBSIDIZED TICKET PRICING
Montecito Bank & Trust
STUDENT MATINEE SPONSOR
Robert & Mercedes Eichholz Foundation
BECOME A SPONSOR!
Sponsorships are one of the most important ways opera lovers can help bring works like this to the stage. Under normal circumstances, ticket sales and other earned income typically cover less than 35% of production costs. Sponsors help underwrite these costs allowing us to present hiqh quality operas while keeping ticket prices affordable. For more information about becoming a sponsor or artist host, contact Jessica@operasb.org or call our office at (805) 898-3890 Ext 1
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.
SARAH CHRISMAN
This production is generously sponsored by The Estate
of Mary Calfas
Born to Greek parents, Mary Calfas spent most of her adult life in southern California as a public school educator, and indulged her passion for world travel, great food and wine, the arts, and especially opera. Late in life, she married Cleon Janos (in Santa Barbara!) and they enjoyed many happy years together. Mary Calfas Janos asked her family to use part of her estate to support the arts.
“My cousins and I are extraordinarily pleased to honor our Aunt Mary with a gift from her estate to Opera Santa Barbara, specifically to support the production of The Marriage of Figaro. We know she would be thrilled to contribute to this production and to help foster the next generation of enthusiastic opera lovers.”
BOB CALFAS NEPHEW & TRUSTEE
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
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
Suzanne and Duncan Mellichamp
Suzanne and Duncan Mellichamp
Lori Meschler
Lori Meschler
Eric Oltmann and Susan Van Abel
Eric Oltmann and Susan Van Abel
Jean Rogers
Jean Rogers
Joan Rutkowski
Joan Rutkowski
Judith Smith
Judith Smith
Dr. Robert Weinman
Dr. Robert Weinman
Learn more about Bravo Society membership and benefits at operasb.org/support or contact Amy Marshall, Director of Development at amy@operasb.org
Learn more about Bravo Society membership and benefits at operasb.org/support or contact Jessica Hetrick, Executive Development Officer at Jessica@operasb.org
COMPOSER
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
SUNG IN ITALIAN
RUN TIME: 3 HOURS, INCLUDING A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION
SUPERTITLES IN ENGLISH
SUPERTITLES BY
MICHAEL CHADWICK, CHADWICK CREATIVE ARTS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST, 2025 AT 7:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD, 2025 AT 2:30 - THE LOBERO THEATRE
— THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, 1930’s —
ACT I
In a converted cabin that they have been gifted, Figaro and Susanna, servants to the owner of the SS Seville, the Count and Countess Almaviva, are preparing for their wedding. Figaro is furious when he learns from his bride that the Count has tried to seduce her. He’s determined to have revenge on his master. Dr. Bartolo, the ship’s physician, appears with Marcellina, the ship’s long-time lounge singer, who is equally determined to marry Figaro. She has a contract: Figaro must marry her or repay the money that he borrowed from her. When Marcellina runs into Susanna, the two rivals exchange insults. Susanna returns to her room and the Count’s young page, Cherubino, the ship’s bellhop, rushes in. Finding Susanna alone, he speaks of his love for all the women in the house, particularly the Countess. When the Count appears, again trying to seduce Susanna, Cherubino hides, but when Don Basilio, the ship’s band leader, approaches, the Count conceals himself. Basilio tells Susanna that everyone knows that Cherubino has a crush on the Countess. Outraged, the Count steps forward, but he becomes even more enraged when he discovers Cherubino and realizes that the boy has overheard his attempts to seduce Susanna. Furthering the Count’s frustration, Figaro enters along with members of the crew and wait staff who he has assembled to sing the praises of their employer. Put on the spot, the Count is forced to bless the marriage of Figaro and Susanna. To spite them and to silence Cherubino, he orders the boy to join the army without delay. Figaro sarcastically sends Cherubino off into battle.
ACT II
In her stateroom, the Countess mourns the loss of love in her life. Encouraged by Figaro and Susanna, she agrees to set a trap for her husband: They will send Cherubino, disguised as Susanna, to a rendezvous with the count that night. At the same time, Figaro will send the Count an anonymous note suggesting that the Countess is having an assignation with another man. Cherubino arrives, and the two women lock the door before dressing him in women’s clothes. As Susanna steps into an adjoining room, the Count knocks and is annoyed to find the door locked. Cherubino hides himself in the dressing room, and the Countess lets her husband in. When there’s a
sudden noise from behind the door, the Count is skeptical of his wife’s story that Susanna is in there. Taking his wife with him, he leaves to get tools to force the door. Meanwhile, Susanna, who has re-entered the room unseen and observed everything, helps Cherubino escape through a porthole before taking his place in the dressing room. When the Count and Countess return, both are astonished when Susanna emerges from the room. Figaro arrives to begin the wedding festivities, but the Count questions him about the note that he received. Figaro successfully eludes questioning until the ship’s gardener, Antonio, bursts in, complaining that someone has jumped from the window and smashed his flowerpots. Figaro improvises quickly, feigning a limp and pretending that it was he who jumped. As soon as Antonio leaves, Bartolo, Marcellina, and Basilio appear, putting their case to the Count and holding the contract that obliges Figaro to marry Marcellina. Delighted, the Count declares that Figaro must honor his agreement and that his wedding to Susanna will be postponed.
ACT III
Later that day in the ship’s atrium, Susanna leads on the Count with promises of a rendezvous that night. He is overjoyed but then overhears Susanna conspiring with Figaro. In a rage, he declares that he will have revenge. Elsewhere in the atrium, the Countess, alone, recalls her past happiness. Marcellina, accompanied by a lawyer, Don Curzio, demands that Figaro pay his debt or marry her at once. Figaro replies that he can’t marry without the consent of his parents for whom he’s been searching for years, having been abducted as a baby. When he reveals a birthmark on his arm, Marcellina realizes that he is her long-lost son, fathered by Bartolo. Arriving to see Figaro and Marcellina embracing, Susanna thinks that her fiancé has betrayed her, but she is pacified when she learns the truth. The Countess is determined to go through with the conspiracy against her husband, and she and Susanna compose a letter to him confirming the meeting with Susanna that evening in the garden. Cherubino, now disguised as a girl, appears with his sweetheart, Barbarina, the daughter of Antonio. Antonio, who has found Cherubino’s cap, also arrives and reveals the young man. The Count is furious to discover that Cherubino has disobeyed him and is still in the house. Barbarina punctures his anger, explaining that the Count, when he attempted to seduce her, promised her anything she desired. Now, she wants to marry Cherubino, and the Count reluctantly agrees. The household assembles for Figaro and Susanna’s wedding. While dancing with the Count, Susanna hands him the note, sealed with a pin, confirming their tryst that evening.
ACT IV
Under a starlit sky on the deck of the SS Seville, Barbarina despairs that she has lost the pin that the Count has asked her to take back to Susanna as a sign that he’s received her letter. When Figaro and Marcellina appear,
over, please
Barbarina tells them about the planned rendezvous between the Count and Susanna. Thinking that his bride is unfaithful, Figaro curses all women. He hides when Susanna and the Countess arrive, dressed in each other’s clothes. Alone, Susanna sings of love. She knows that Figaro is listening and enjoys making him think that she’s about to betray him with the Count. She then conceals herself—in time to see Cherubino try to seduce the disguised Countess. When the Count arrives looking for Susanna, he chases the boy away. Figaro, by now realizing what is going on, joins in the joke and declares his passion for Susanna in her Countess disguise. The Count returns to discover Figaro with his wife, or so he thinks, and explodes with rage. At that moment, the real Countess steps forward and reveals her identity. Ashamed, the Count asks her pardon. Ultimately, she forgives him, and the entire household celebrates the day’s happy
— Sara E. Widzer
Setting Sail on the SS Seville during the 1930’s...
The act and art of dramaturgy is what enables a director to maintain the authenticity and integrity of the playwright/librettist/composer’s intentions, while introducing an additional layer of story and potentially an additional level of commentary.
Spain in the 1930’s was a country marked by profound political upheaval and social change, making it an ideal period to reimagine L. Daponte and W.A. Mozart’s, The Marriage of Figaro, originally based on P. Beaumarchais’ play of the same name. The fight against authoritarian rule and the struggle for democratic freedoms in Spain mirror the revolutionary
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OPERA SANTA BARBARA
ORCHESTRA
VIOLIN 1
Steven Zander, Concertmaster
Ji-Young An, Associate Concertmaster
Mona Tian
Maia Zander
VIOLIN 2
Colleen Coomber, Principal
Ellen Jung
Anthony Navarro
VIOLA
Diane Gilbert, Principal
Karen Long
CELLO
Christopher Ahn, Principal
Alicja Blanquart
BASS
Gabriel Golden, Principal
FLUTE
Gary Woodward, Principal
Suzanne Duffy
CHORUS
Katja Broomberg
Gaia Hubbard-Kabaretti
Lorenzo Johnson
Rose Kreider
Kyra Maal-King
CONDUCTOR
Kostis Protopapas
CHORUS MASTER & PRINCIPAL PIANIST
Timothy Accurso
OBOE
Catherine Del Russo, Principal
Trey Farrell
CLARINET
Larry Hughes, Principal
Patricia Massey
BASSOON
Duncan Massey, Principal
David Sarachene
TRUMPET
John Ernest, Principal
Dave Etterbeek
HORN
Preston Shepard, Principal
Lisa McCormick
TIMPANI
Jon Nathan, Principal
CONTINUO
Timothy Accurso, Principal
Jonathan Matthews
Adam McCrory
Anthony Moresi
Angeline Petronijevic
Adrien Roberts
MUSIC STAFF
ORCHESTRA MANAGER
Suzanne Duffy
SUPERTITLE OPERATOR
Mica Basilici
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
David Asbell
CONTROLLER
Don McGreevy
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AND PRODUCTION MANAGER
Todd A. Jared
BOX OFFICE MANAGER
Gina Graham
ASSISTANT
BOX OFFICE MANAGER
Joshua James
DATABASE AND BUSINESS APPLICATIONS
Genevieve Rhiger
CONCESSION MANAGER
Betsy Craig
HOUSE MANAGER
Rick Villa
CONSULTANTS
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Karen Kowalski
PHOTOGRAPHY
Zach Mendez
AUDIO RECORDING
Opus 1 Mobile Recording
GRANTS CONSULTANT
Nina Dunbar
CPA
Gail Anikouchine
KOSTIS PROTOPAPAS Conductor
Kostis Protopapas was named General Director of Opera Santa Barbara in December 2017, after twoand-a-half seasons as Artistic Director.
During his time as Artistic Director and principal conductor, Kostis brought a unified vision to OSB’s musical and production values, strengthening the orchestra and chorus, engaging some of the country’s most promising young directors and singers, building a high-performing production team, and increasing focus on contemporary American opera. As General Director Kostis assembled Team OSB, a group of enthusiastic overachievers with a passion for innovation and the desire to strengthen the company’s bond with the community, who consistently exceed patrons’ expectations for programs, experiences and communications. Performance highlights from Kostis’ tenure include grand opera classics like Madama Butterfly, Manon, and Eugene Onegin as well as contemporary works like Daniel Catan’s Il Postino, the mariachi opera Cruzar la cara de la luna, and Laura Kaminsky’s As One. In the fall of 2022, the Santa Barbara Independent wrote: “From contemporary work to obscurities from the early 19th century, from staple repertoire to surprise elements, OSB continues to raise the bar on what an opera company can and should be, even in Santa Barbara.”
Between March 2020 and June 2021, under Kostis’ leadership Opera Santa Barbara remained active and fully staffed. It was the first performing arts organization in Santa Barbara to offer streaming programming, and one of only two opera companies in California to present three live operas in the 2020-21 season. Additionally, Opera Santa Barbara became an advocacy leader for the reopening of the performing arts, and funded live performances by local musicians through “Operation Eurydice”. For his work during the pandemic, Kostis was listed among the Santa Barbara Independent’s 2021 Local Heroes.
Before coming to Santa Barbara, Kostis was the Artistic Director of Tulsa Opera since 2008. He previously was an Assistant Conductor with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, LA Opera and Santa Fe Opera. At the Lyric Opera of Chicago, he also served as Assistant Chorus Master under Donald Palumbo for two seasons.
Born in Athens, Greece, Kostis Protopapas studied Archaeology and History of Art at the University of Athens before coming to the United States in 1993, on an Onassis Foundation scholarship, to study piano at The Boston Conservatory and conducting at Boston University. He became an American citizen in 2011. He loves living in Santa Barbara and enjoys sailing on the Santa Barbara Channel.
ARTISTS
SARA E. WINDZER
Stage Director
Sara E. Widzer is a stage and intimacy director for opera and theatre. For the 2024-25 season, she directs her first production of Le Nozze di Figaro for Opera Santa Barbara and her first production of Into the Woods for Opera in the Ozarks-she is over the moon. She returns for a second season with LA Opera as Intimacy Director on Madama Butterfly, Roméo et Juliette, Così fan tutte, Ainadamar, and Rigoletto. During the 2023-24 season, Sara reunited with composer/lyricist Carla Lucero for the world premiere of t o u c h at Opera Birmingham and began her collaboration with LA Opera as intimacy director for Don Giovanni, Highway 1 USA, and La traviata at LA Opera. Sara has served as Stage Director for LA Opera, Washington National Opera, The Royal Opera House of Muscat, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Virginia Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Chautauqua Opera Company, Opera Birmingham, Long Beach Opera, Pasadena Opera, Music Academy, CU Boulder, and Opera UCLA. She has taught opera workshops and coached young artists at UCSB, UCLA, Cal State Long Beach and Northridge, FSU, Glimmerglass, the DomingoColburn-Stein Young Artist Program at LA Opera, and the Cafrtiz Young Artist Program at WNO. She was the first resident Acting and Performance Coach for Music Academy where she also taught classes in Intimacy Direction and Consent-Based Practices. Sara is the Intimacy Direction, Consent and Inclusion Advisor for LA Opera, helping the company develop best practices around intimacy direction, nudity, and care. Sara is certified in Intimacy Direction with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, Inc. She has a MM in Opera Direction from Florida State University, an Artist Diploma in Shakespeare from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and BA in Theatre from Connecticut College. She makes her home in Los Angeles, CA. (SaraEWidzer.com)
NICOLA BOWIE Assistant Director & Choreographer
Hometown: London UK
Lives in: Los Angeles, CA
Previously at OSB: Semele (Associate Director/ Choreographer) 2022
Career Highlights: Choreographer/Director/Master
Teacher - UK, Europe, North American opera companies (see website)
Where can we find you: nicolabowie.com
COLIN RAMSEY
Figaro
Hometown: Greenwich, CT
Lives in: Santa Barbara, CA
Previously at OSB: Carmen (Escamillo), 2023; Die Walküre (Hunding), 2023; Semele (Cadmus and Somnus), 2022; Das Rheingold (Fafner), 2021; Tosca (Angelotti), 2022; The Crucible (Reverend Hale), 2019; Manon (Count des Grieux), 2017
Career Highlights: La bohème (Colline), San Diego Opera; Beethoven’s 9th, Amarillo Symphony; Beethoven Choral Fantasy, Los Angeles Philharmonic; Dr. Atomic (Edward Teller), Santa Fe Opera; First Place at the NOA Carolyn Bailey Argento Competition
Upcoming Engagements: Le Nozze di Figaro (Figaro), Amarillo Opera; Mozart Requiem, Santa Maria Philharmonic; TBA, Santa Barbara Symphony Where can we find you: colinramsey.com
SUNWOO PARK
Susanna
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Lives in: Los Angeles, CA
Previously at OSB: Zorro (Luisa), 2024; Carmen (Frasquita), 2023; Die Walküre (Helmwige), 2023; Semele (Iris), 2022; The Pirates of Penzance (Mabel), 2022
Career Highlights: La Bohème (Musetta, cover), The Santa Fe Opera; Der Freischütz (Ännchen), Wolf Trap Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Announcing Soon!
Where can we find you: sunwooparksoprano.com, @sunwoo__park
ARTISTS
JENNIFER LINDSAY
Countess Almaviva
Hometown: Fountain Valley, CA
Lives in: Costa Mesa, CA
Previously at OSB: Carmen (Micaela), 2020; The Crucible (Mary Warren), 2018
Career Highlights: La Boheme (Mimi), Opera Connecticut; Marriage of Figaro (Contessa), Lyric Opera of Orange County; Porgy and Bess (Ensemble), Metropolitan Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Announcing Soon! Where can we find you: instagram.com/sopranolinist
MATTHEW PETERSON
Count Almaviva
Hometown: Brush, CO
Lives in: Santa Barbara, CA
Previously at OSB: Pagliacci (Silvio), Carmen (Zuniga), La Scala di Seta (Blanzac), A Light in the Piazza (Signor Naccarelli)
Career Highlights: Cosi fan Tutti (Guglielmo), Mendocino Music Festival; Le Nozze di Figaro (Count Almaviva), Opera Fort Collins; Billy Budd (Novice’s Friend & Billy Budd cover), Central City Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Pagliacci (Silvio), Auburn Symphony; Madame Butterfly (Yamadori), Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Where can we find you: matthewpetersonbaritone.com
MAX POTTER
Cherubino
Hometown: Rockville, MD
Lives in: Santa Barbara, CA
Previously at OSB: Carmen (Mercedes), 2023; Il Trovatore (Ines), 2024; La Divina: The Art of Maria Callas, 2023; La Traviata (Flora), 2022; Das Rheingold (Flosshilde), 2021; Les Nuits D’été, 2020
Career Highlights: Der Rosenkavalier (Octavian),
Pacific Northwest Opera; Elijah (Alto Soloist), Washington National Cathedral; The Mother of Us All (Jenny Reefer), Chautauqua Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Verdi Requiem (Alto Soloist), San Luis Obispo Master Chorale; Hansel & Gretel (The Witch), Palm Springs Opera Guild; Le nozze di Figaro (Cherubino), The Muses Project
Where can we find you: @maxpottermezzo on all social media platforms
CHRISTINA PEZZAROSSI
Marcellina
Hometown: Miles City, MT
Lives in: Santa Barbara, CA
Previously at OSB: El Gato con Botas (El Gato), 2023; Die Walküre (Rossweisse), 2023; The Light in the Piazza (Margaret), 2023; La scala di seta (Lucilla), 2022; Semele (Ino), 2022; Das Rheingold (Wellgunde), 2021
Career Highlights: Carmen (Carmen), Opera San Luis Obispo; The Light in the Piazza (Margaret), Opera in the Heights; Florencia en el Amazonas (Paula), Pensacola Opera.
Upcoming Engagements: Announcing Soon!
Where can we find you: christinapezzarossimezzo.com
SCOTT LEVIN
Bartolo
Hometown: Galveston, TX
Lives in: Glendale, CA
Previously at OSB: Il postino (Postmaster), 2020; La Boheme (Benoit/Alcindoro), 2018; The Cunning Little Vixen (Badger/Parson), 2017; Gianni Schicchi (Simone), 2016
Career Highlights: El Gato Montes (Hormigon), Los Angeles Opera; Gianni Schicchi (Dr. Spinelloccio), Los Angeles Opera; The Magic Flute (Papageno), Pacific Opera Project
Upcoming Engagements: H.M.S. Pinafore (Dick Deadeye), Pacific Opera Project
Where can we find you: escottlevin.com
MANFRED ANAYA
Don
Basilio
Hometown: Woodland Hills, CA
Lives in: La Crescenta, CA
Previously at OSB: OSB Debut
Career Highlights: Ercole su’l Termondonte (Telamone), Pacific Opera Project; Dialogues of the Carmelites (Chevalier de la Force), CCM Opera; La Traviata (Gastone), Dayton Opera
Upcoming Engagements: Announcing Soon!
Where can we find you: manfredanayatenor.com
BYRON MAYES
Antonio
Hometown: Houston, TX
Lives in: Montecito, CA
Previously at OSB: Trouble in Tahiti (Sam), 2018; Gallantry (Dr. Gregg), 2018; Il barbiere di Siviglia (Fiorello), 2018; Manon (Guard), 2017; La Rondine (Crébillon), 2017
Career Highlights: Hansel und Gretel (Peter), Opera in the Heights; L’elisir D’amore (Dulcamara), Opera in the Heights & Pacific Opera Project.
Upcoming Engagements: Announcing Soon! Where can we find you: Instagram @voicingbyron
OLIVIA LYON BARKER
Barbarina
Hometown: Simi Valley, CA
Lives in: Camarillo, CA
Previously at OSB: OSB Debut, chorus member since 2022.
Career Highlights: Die Zauberflöte (Queen of the Night), New York City Opera Outreach; Pirates of Penzance (Mabel); Later the Same Evening (Elaine)
Upcoming Engagements: Announcing Soon! Where can we find you: @olivialyonbarker
WILLIAM GRUNDLER
Don Curzio
Hometown: Ventura, CA
Lives in: Simi Valley, CA
Previously at OSB: OSB Debut, chorus member since 2019; Announcer for Carmen: A Live Drive-In Opera, 2020.
Career Highlights: Scalia/Ginsburg (Antonin Scalia), Pacific Opera Project; La Bohème (Rodolfo Cover), Pacific Symphony; Tosca (Spoletta), Sacramento Opera
Upcoming Engagements: The Mighty Casey (Watchman), Lyric Opera of Orange County; H. M. S. Pinafore (Bill Boatswain), Pacific Opera Project & Opera Las Vegas
Where can we find you: williamgrundler.com
YUKI IZUMIHARA
Scenic and Projection Designer
Hometown: Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
Lives in: Oakland, CA
Previously at OSB: Semele, Tosca, An American Dream (scenic and projection design)
Career Highlights: Madame Butterfly (Production Design), Opera Philadelphia; Leopoldstadt (Projection Design), Huntington Theater & Shakespeare Theater Company; New Works Collective (Production Design), Opera Theater of Saint Louis
Upcoming Engagements: The Light in the Piazza (Projection Design), Huntington Theater Company; Dolores (Projection Design), San Diego Opera, Westedge Opera, Opera Southwest & Broad Stage; I am Andy (Production Design), MATA Festival
Where can we find you: www.yukiizumihara.com
ARTISTS
HELENA KUUKKA
Lighting Designer
HOMETOWN: Helsinki, Finland
LIVES IN: Novato, CA
Previously at OSB: Pagliacci, Zorro, Carmen, Tosca, An American Dream, La Scala di Seta, Eugene Onegin, Barber of Seville.
Career Highlights: Aida (Vancouver Opera), The Marriage of Figaro (Portland Opera), Dracula (Ballet Memphis)
Upcoming Engagements: La Boheme (Opera Tampa), Something Rotten (Music Theatre Wichita), Oklahoma (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma)
STACIE LOGUE
Costume Manager
Hometown: Southern California
Lives in: Ventura, CA
Previously at OSB: 20 year anniversary- first opera with OSB was Faust in 2004 through last season. Looking forward to 24/25!
Career Highlights: Costume design for Zorro, Semele for OSB
Where can we find you: in the costume shop!
T. THERESA SCARANO
Props Designer
Hometown: Roswell New Mexico
Lives in: Southern California
Previously at OSB: Pagliacci, Zorro, El gato con Botas, Carmen, The Valkyrie, The Light in the Piazza, An American Dream, and many more!
Career Highlights: Director of Operations at The Set Company/Scenery Rentals; Prop Design for Daddy Longlegs (world premiere); Co-writer/Co-Producer of Crone Creed, TCJ Productions.
ARTISTS
HEATHER STERLING
Wig and Makeup Designer
Hometown: Salinas, CA
Lives in: San Jose, CA
Previously at OSB: Pagliacci (2024), Zorro (2024), Il
Trovatore (2024), Carmen (2023)
Career Highlights: Alisa Weilerstein’s Fragments (Hair & Makeup Design), Askonas Holt; Tiger Style! (Wig Design), TheatreWorks; The Valkyrie (Wig & Makeup Design) Opera Santa Barbara
Upcoming Engagements: Happy Pleasant Valley (Wig Design), TheatreWorks; Candide (Wig & Makeup Design), SFCM; Alisa Weilerstein’s Fragments (Hair & Makeup Design) Askonas Holt
TIMOTHY ACCURSO
Chorus Master & Head of Music
Hometown: Glen Lyon, PA
Lives in: Santa Barbara, CA
Previously at OSB: With OSB since 2018
Career Highlights: Again and Again and Again (Opera Las Vegas), Pirates of Penzance (Utah Opera), Everything at OSB!
Upcoming Engagements: Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus at Lobero Theatre May 12th, 2025; H.M.S. Pinafore (Opera Las Vegas)
Where can we find you: OSB Office or the Lobero :)
KOURTNI DALE-NOLL MITCHINER
Production Stage Manager
Hometown: Plano, TX
Lives in: Camarillo, CA
Previously at OSB: PSM for Pagliacci!
Career Highlights: Celebrating my 12th season at OSB!
Upcoming Engagements: Production Stage Manager, ’24-’25 Season, Opera Santa Barbara
Where We Can Find You: cosoc.com/KidKourt13
JESSICA HARO
Assistant Stage Manager
Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA
Lives in: Santa Barbara, CA
Previously at OSB: Pagliacci (Asst Stage Manager), 2024; Il Trovatore (Asst Stage Manager), 2024
Career Highlights: Carmen (Asst Stage Manager), Music Academy of the West; Jesus Christ Superstar (Production Stage Manager), Out of the Box Theatre Company; Selling Kabul (Production Stage Manager), Ensemble Theatre Company
Upcoming Engagements: The Daughter of the Regiment (Asst Stage Manager), Opera Santa Barbara Where We Can Find You: jessicaharo.com
BRYNN
Assistant Stage Manager
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Lives in: Los Angeles, CA
Previously at OSB: An American Dream (Asst Stage Manager), 2022; Carmen (Asst Stage Manager), 2023; El Gato Con Botas (Production Stage Manager), 2023; Zorro (Asst Stage Manager) 2024.
Career Highlights: Brynn has worked professionally onstage and off with many theatre and music companies and programs, including the LA Opera, UC Santa Barbara, Chicago Dramatists, the Ebell of LA, the Santa Barbara Symphony, and others.
Upcoming Engagements: Brynn will be returning to the LA Opera for Tres Mujeres de Jerusalem, and will return to OSB for The Daughter of the Regiment
TODD A. 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.
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
TEAM OSB
ARTISTIC & GENERAL DIRECTOR
Kostis Protopapas
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
Helena Kuukka
CHORUS MASTER & HEAD OF MUSIC
Timothy Accurso
EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT & ADMIN OFFICER
Jessica Hetrick
COMPANY AND MEDIA MANAGER
Julia Lieberman
ACCOUNTANT
Nicole Hunsaker
THANK YOU TO OUR HOUSING DONORS
Juli Askew
Minos Athanassiadis & Tracey Reif
Rodney Baker & Robert Ooley
Ian & Denise Burrows
Veronique Chevalier
Jay Darlington
David & Staci Lea
Dana Monk
Robert Ramey
Torben & Lauren von Staden
Beverly & Michael Steinfeld
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
FOUNDERS
Marilyn Gilbert & Nathan Rundlett
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nicholas Burlett, Chair
Robert Weinman, 1st Vice Chair
Christine Holland, 2nd Vice Chair
Karen Knight, Secretary
Torben von Staden, Treasurer
Daniel Reicker, Member at Large
Rodney Baker
Barbara Burger
Brian Galura
Daniel Hone
Gregory McMurray
Joan Rutkowski
Judith Smith
Arthur Swalley
OSB CIRCLE OF HONOR
Sarah & Roger Chrisman
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Fred and Nancy Golden
Herbert Kendall*
SPECIAL THANKS
Community Arts Workshop for being our rehearsal home for this season
Sandra Urquhart
Takako Wakita
Monica Williams
Simon Williams
Sarah Jane Lind*
Eric Oltmann
Mary Penny
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*
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
Nancy Golden
Mary Hampso
William Jones
Stuart Kart
Mahri Kerley
Duncan Mellichamp
Jayne Menkemeller
Dylan Minor
Carolina Montgomery
A.C. Moore
Martin Moskovits
Eric Oltmann
David Peri*
Paksy Plackis-Cheng
William Ramsay*
Ida Rickborn*
Jean Rogers
Joan Rutkowski
J. Gordon Schontzler*
Eric Small
Linda Van Buren
Joann Younger
TEAM OSB: JULIA, JESSICA, KOSTIS, HELENA, and TIM
GRAND IMPRESARIO
($25,000+)
Susan Aberle
Ann Jackson Family Foundation
Bella Domani
The Christopher Carroll Endowment
Sarah and Roger Chrisman
Cheryl and Michael Goldberg
Green Hills Software
The Hutton Parker Foundation
The Estate of Mary Calfas Janos
John C. Mithun Foundation
The Mosher Foundation
Dan and Romy Reicker
Joan Rutkowski
Maya Smidt
The Gainey Foundation
Sandy and Robert Urquhart
Robert Weinman
PLATINUM IMPRESARIO
($10,000 - $24,999)
Roxana Anson
Eve Bernstein
Nicholas Burlett and Jessie Dove
Denise and Ian Burrows
Joan H. Davidson
George H. and Olive J. Griffiths
Charitable Foundation
Fred and Nancy Golden
The Herbert and Elaine Kendall Foundation
Christine and Michael Holland
Dan and Donna Hone
Mahri Kerley
David Mason
Dick and Marilyn Mazess
Duncan and Suzanne Mellichamp
Farrokh and Sally Nazerian
Eric Oltmann and Susan Van Abel
Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation
Jean Rogers
Charles Schweppe and Ingrid Olsson
Owen Smith
Marc and Pauline Sylvain
The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts
Carol Vernon and Robert Turbin
Takako Wakita
Dana White
Brooke and Monica Williams
Simon and Euzetta Williams
GOLD IMPRESARIO
($5,000-$9,999)
Arlington Financial Advisors, LLC
Rodney Baker and Robert Ooley
James and Lisa Ballantine
Barbara H. Burger
Mary Tonetti Dorra
Monica Eiler
Farmers & Merchants Bank
The Hamister Foundation
Gerhart Hoffmeister
Jovita and Alex Honor
Lynn P. Kirst
Montecito Bank & Trust
Peter Morris
Music Performance Trust Fund
Performing Arts
Scholarship Foundation
Ronus Foundation
Arthur Swalley
Torben and Lauren von Staden
IMPRESARIO CIRCLE
SILVER IMPRESARIO
($2,500-$4,999)
Richard and Kathy Abbott
Todd and Allyson Aldrich
NancyBell Coe
Brian and Jana Galura
Marilyn Gilbert
Donley and Valerie Olson
Christine and Stefan Riesenfeld
Lee and Linda Rosenberg
Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation
Susan Schmidt
Anitra Sheen
Judith Smith
Anne Towbes
Vista del Monte
IMPRESARIO
($1,500-$2,499)
John and Ilse Gilbert
Cecilia Harris
Richard and Connie Kennelly
Ernest and Andriana Kolendrianos
Sue Larsen
Gail Lucas
Gregory McMurray
Anthony and Revae Moran
Judith Muller
Rosemary and Nicholas Mutton
Mary Nisbet
Rick Oshay & Teresa Kuskey
Kostis Protopapas
Thomas Tunberg
Sandra Walther
Mort and Judy Weisman
Fred and Linda Wudl
Alaysha Fox in Pagliacci
Congratulations to Opera Santa Barbara on its 31st season of bringing world class opera to Santa Barbara!
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PATRONS OF THE OPERA
AFICIONADO
($500-$1,499)
Robert F. Adams and Nancy Clare Caponi
Guenter Ahlers
David Asbell
Peter and Linda Beuret
Ed Bookin
Dr. Bonnie Corman
Jim Craviotto
Meg DiNapoli
Albert and Bessie Warner Fund
Bill and Ellie Freudenstein
Jack Funk
Bob and Mary Gates
Dolores and Fred Gillmore
Ruth and Alan Heeger
Peggy Hill
Barbara Hirsch
Barbara Hume
Karin Jacobson
Rose Jaffe
Kent Jennings
James Kashian and Thomas Proctor
Karen Knight
James and Elinor Langer
Kathryn S. Lawhun and Mark Shinbrot
Doug and Martha Lorch
Julia Lowell
David and Elise McKee
Tracy and Vicki Noll
Oshay Family Foundation
Priscilla Peale
Christina Ramsey
David Reichert
Staci Richard
Irene and Mel Sahyun
Nancy B. Schlosser
Dale and Judy Seborg
Seniel Ostrow Foundation
Chuck and Missy Sheldon
Skov Jensen Family Fund
Michael and Beverly Steinfeld
Mary Jo Swalley
Gary Yencich
SUSTAINER
($250-$499)
Roger Adams
Robert Benham
Mashey Bernstein
Chris Brock
Agatha Carubia
Artis Chamberlin-Pattison
Maria Ciamaichelo and William Sereque
Mary Blackwood Collier
Edward S. De Loreto
Linda Di Fiore
Peter C. Ford and Mary Howe-Grant
Jerry and Sandy Gothe
Cassandra Grant
HumanGood NorCal
Irene and Bruce Klores
Pamela and Russ Lombardo
Pauline Paulin
Raymond Riezman
Steven R. Siegel and Joan Tapper
Brian Stenfors
Sheila M. Stone
Tom Zavisca
CONTRIBUTOR
($100-$249)
Anonymous
Joan Agress
Catherine Albanese
Lisbeth Caccese
Cheryl De Bari Schaible
Sharon and John Dobson
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
Nina Dunbar
Mary Furner
Pamela Gunther
Carolyn Holmquist
David and Julieanne Hybert
Jane Jacobs
John and Joan Jamieson
Elaine Janson
Harry Kazali
Ms. Diane Kemp
Lynette Klawon
Courtney Lees
Michael Lewellen
Fima Lifshitz
Julie Lopp
MacFarlane, Faletti & Co., LLP
Cecily MacDougall
Peggy Merizalde
James Moresi
Michael and Lisa O’Connell
Jean Palmer-Daley
Lynne Ramsey
Vivian Rangel
Diane Rennell
Judith Rice
Albert and Anne Santorelli
Barbara Sedlin
Jill and Scott Seltzer
Alan and Laura Smith
Douglas Steigerwald and Julia Lowell
Debra Stewart
Irene and Robert Stone
Jack Tiethof and Anita Sy
Jeanne Ullom
Philip Wyatt
Charles Wylie
FRIEND
($99-)
Frances Arner-Costello
Paul Bendix
Rosalie Benitez
Anandamoy Bhattacharjie
Don Broydes
Kathryn Carpiac
Elisa Cedeno
Sharon Crane
Lance Crawford
Monica De la Hoya
Judy Dean
Jon DuPrau
David and Ann Dwelley
Leslie Edgerton
Darrolyn Fennelly and Randy Stephens
Cris Fulwider
David and Elizabeth Gaynes
Annette Goena
Carlos Gonzalez
Linda Houseman
Richard Hughes
Peter Kazaras
Nancy Ludgus
Frank Migliazza
Mary Orcutt
Kathryn Organ
Wendy Palmer
Jerry Pearson
Michele Profant
Patricia Rodriguez
Judith and Michael Rothschild
Lisa Rowley
Shaun Sanders
Michael Schaumburg
Lindsay Scott
Linda Stafford Burrows
Trudi Straede
Raymond and Ursula Tracy
Nancy Willstatter
Local Photographer: Zach Mendez