FROM THE ARTISTIC & GENERAL DIRECTOR and BOARD CHAIR
Dear Friends:
Welcome to the second production of our reimagined five-opera season, the double bill of Manuel DeFalla’s El amor brujo (Love, the magician) and Giacomo Puccini’s Il tabarro (The cloak).
Puccini is one of the most iconic opera composers, and it would be an oversight not to include one of his works in a celebratory reopening season such as this. At the same time, we wanted to do something we haven’t done before, and Il tabarro was the natural choice: it is undoubtedly the composer’s most underrated work, overshadowed by its two famous siblings, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi, who were intended to form a triple bill with Il tabarro but over time achieved their own operatic chestnut status. It is a murder drama perfect for a Halloween evening at the theater; it is a vehicle for great singers; and in a world in which brevity is becoming increasingly a virtue, Il tabarro is 55 minutes of musical-theatric perfection.
Choosing a piece to pair with Il tabarro was both a challenge and a lot of fun. After summarily dismissing the obvious choices- Suor and Schicchi are overdone, and anything in the “husband-murders-wife’s-paramour” category, like Pagliacci or Cavalleria, would have been overkill (pun intended), we looked for something that shares its gothic mood but contrasts with it enough so neither piece upstages the other. El amor brujo, a flamenco ballet composed at the same time as Il tabarro by Manuel DeFalla, like Puccini, a giant of early 20th century music theater, seemed the perfect match. The two pieces share the dark and nostalgic romanticism of the World War I era, but are contrasted by their principal expressive media-dance in Amor and singing in Tabarro, and their decidedly nationalistic styles. Amor is a ghost story perfect for Halloween, but its magical world and playful ending contrast beautifully with the stark realism of Il tabarro
This production combines the talents of the superb dancers of State Street Ballet, some of Opera Santa Barbara’s favorite singers, and the Opera Santa Barbara Orchestra, in what we hope you will remember as 90 minutes of the best song and dance Santa Barbara has to offer.
Enjoy the show!
Kostis Protopapas
Joan Rutkowski Artistic & General Director Board Chair
Our journey sees two independent pieces being melded together to present great theatre. At first glance, they have very little in common: one is a ballet which has made it into standard, orchestral repertoire and the other, one of the greats by one of the greats. Separately, they represent the intensity of passion gone awry and human emotion that all of us have felt at any given time in our lives, albeit in very different ways, with very different outcomes.
El amor brujo/Love, the Magician by Manuel de Falla, is the quintessential representation of everything that is breathtaking about Spain: the heat, the people, the flamenco flair as well as the heightened emotion of daily life. Choreographer Cecily MacDougall and I have taken the synopsis in the score and created a story of passion, mistrust, neuroses and finally reconciliation and love. I chose to use the mezzo-soprano soloist by weaving her into the storyline and the second half of the whole that is Candelas, our heroine; the dancer is her body and the singer is her voice. We also have made the cloak its own character as it becomes part of the Specter’s spell and power.
Without a pause, we launch into Il tabarro/The Cloak by Giacomo Puccini. Usually presented as the first in his famous trilogy, Il triticale, this beautiful and often under-performed opera finally gets its place of honor in our production. We can almost smell the heat of September as the barge is docked on the Seine and we feel the labor in our own muscles as the stevedores work to unload the cargo. Again, the cloak becomes its own person; one who hides wrongs, buries illicit passion, and also creates a false security. Our characters are at the heart of what it means to be human with all their faults and insecurities, manifesting in ways both surprising and yet relatable even today.
Bringing traditional stories to life in untraditional ways is what excites me as a director. The beautiful and versatile set by Steven Kemp is an intricate part of the stories you will see, as we use it interactively, not just as pieces to observe. I find great joy in crafting real people from an ensemble, giving them personal meaning and motivations, justifying why they are there, and respecting them for the important place they hold in the overall arch of the story.
Let us take you on this ride, as we welcome you to live theater this Halloween weekend, in the most magical of ways.
Layna Chianakas Stage Director
presents
Manual de Falla Giacomo Puccini
EL AMOR BRUJO IL T ABARRO
OCTOBER 29, 7:30PM • OCTOBER 31, 2:30PM • LOBERO THEATRE
CAST
El amor brujo
Nina Yoshida Nelsen
Mezzo Soloist
Ahna Lipchik* Candelas
Tanner Blee* Carmelo
Deise Mendonça* Lucia
Ryan Lenkey* Spectre
Il tabarro
Todd Thomas ..................................Michele
Harold Meers Luigi
Alaysha Fox* Giorgetta
Benjamin Brecher Tinca
Benjamin Lowe* Talpa
Nina Yoshida Nelsen La Frugola
Christian Sanders* Songseller
* OSB Mainstage Debut
PRODUCTION
STAGE DIRECTOR
Layna Chianakas
CONDUCTOR
Kostis Protopapas
SCENIC DESIGN
Steven C. Kemp
LIGHTING DESIGN
Helena Kuukka
CHOREOGRAPHY
Cecily MacDougall
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
Kendra Green
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Emily Barber
HAIR & MAKEUP DESIGN
Heather Sterling
COSTUME DESIGNER
Stacie Logue
PROPS MASTER
Teresa Scarano
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Zach Mendez
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Todd Jared
PRINCIPAL PIANIST
Timothy Accurso
FIGHT DIRECTOR
Aubrey Trujillo
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
ORCHESTRA
VIOLIN I
Samuel Fischer, Concertmaster
Steven Zander, Associate Concertmaster
VIOLIN II
Ji-Young An, Principal VIOLA
Diane Gilbert, Principal
Karen Long CELLO
Christopher Ahn, Principal
Jacqueline Greenshields
BASS
Ryan Baird, Principal
FLUTE/PICCOLO
Gary Woodward, Principal
Suzanne Duffy
OBOE/ENGLISH HORN
Catherine Del Russo, Principal
CAST
Norman Espinoza*+ Stevedore
Adam Lowe*+ Lover/Stevedore
Raphaella Medina*+ Seamstress
Cambria Metzinger*+ Seamstress
Marlaina Owens*+ Lover/Seamstress
Sunwoo Park*+ Seamstress
CONDUCTOR
Kostis Protopapas
PRINCIPAL PIANIST
Tim Accurso
* OSB Mainstage Debut
CLARINET
Larry Hughes, Principal
Patricia Massey
BASSOON
Duncan Massey, Principal
TRUMPET
John Ernest, Principal
Dustin McKinney
HORN
Danielle Ondarza, Principal
Chris Wilson
KEYBOARD
Timothy Accurso
TROMBONE
Steven Suminski, Principal
TIMPANI/PERCUSSION
Jon Nathan, Principal
HARP
Michele Temple, Principal
Lindsay Patterson Abdou*+ Seamstress
Matthew Peterson*+ Stevedore
Omar Rodriguez*+ Stevedore
Audrey Yoder Seamstress
Eliot Jacobson Organgrinder
MUSIC STAFF
ORCHESTRA MANAGER
Suzanne Duffy
SUPERTITLE OPERATOR
Jessica Gonzalez Rodriguez
+ Current Member of the Chrisman Studio Artist Program
SEASON SPONSOR
Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation
COMMUNITY ACCESS TICKETING
Walter and Holly Thomson Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee
DIRECTOR
Robert and Sandra Urquhart
ARTIST
Josepha DiRado
Dr. Peter Morris
Farrokh and Sally Nazerian
SUPERTITLES
Bella Domani
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Paseo Nuevo
BECOME A SPONSOR THIS SEASON!
Production 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.
Contact Nina Dunbar to learn more about how you can support our 21|22 Season at 805-898-3890, ext. 203 or email nina@operasb.org
Supertitles by Chadwick Creative Arts
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 Granada Theatre, and releases the theater and its lessees and others from liability resulting from use of such photographs or video footage.
Enjoy a friendly stay just minutes from SB's Historic Downtown, Lower State Street, Funk Zone, Beaches, and more
Stop by the lobby for a tour & some Handlebar or Dune Coffee!
*just mention this coupon to our staff and recieve your discount locals save* 10%
Bravo Society members are dedicated to fostering the strong future of live opera in Santa Barbara—and this company—through legacy and endowment gifts.
This month we welcome new members Pamela Gunther and Dr. Mary Collier!
EL
AMOR BRUJO by Manuel de Falla
Candelas, a beautiful and passionate woman, is haunted by the thought and spirit of the man she once loved; a fascinating and charismatic gypsy whose unfaithfulness created an unhappy life for her, while he was still alive. Still, she cannot seem to rid herself of his gruesome spell. She is fearful that the dead may one day return, and is haunted by these thoughts in the form of his Specter. Yet, she is young and strong and Spring arrives, along with Carmelo, a handsome and kind man who loves her deeply.
While happy with Carmelo’s advances, hard as she may try, Candelas cannot completely return his love because of the obsession of her past. When Carmelo approaches her to share his passion, the Specter returns, and keeps them from sharing the kiss of perfect love.
Carmelo sees that the spell must be broken and hatches a plan. He knows that the Specter in life, could not resist the advances of beautiful women, so he and Candelas ask their friend, Lucia, to seduce and distract the Specter, in order for the two of them to exchange the perfect kiss over which the spell of the Specter cannot reign. Lucia, being curious and fun-loving, happily agrees and sets out to seduce the Specter.
The Specter tries to resist Lucia’s advances but her beauty and wit are stronger than his will. He succumbs to Lucia, as Candelas and Carmelo at last are able to exchange the kiss that defeats the evil influence of the Specter. He finally dies once and for all, and true love prevails.
IL TABARRO by
Giacomo Puccini
Giorgetta, the young wife of the barge-owner Michele, is having an affair with the deckhand Luigi. At the end of a day’s work, she offers wine to him and the two other stevedores, Tinca and Talpa. They begin a playful dance, which is interrupted by Michele. Giorgetta asks him why he seems so troubled, but he remains silent.
Talpa’s wife, Frugola, arrives to take him home. When Tinca claims he loves nothing more than to drink, Luigi suddenly blurts out that drink seems to be the only way to cope with their bleak existence (“Hai ben ragione”). Frugola dreams of a little house in the country and Giorgetta wishes she could leave the barge for a happier life. She and Luigi consider the beauty of the city (Duet: “È ben altro il mio sogno”).
Michele appears from the cabin and Luigi, who can’t bear to see Giorgetta with her husband, asks to be left in Rouen on the next trip out. Michele dissuades him, arguing that there will be no work there. Giorgetta and Luigi arrange to meet later that evening; she will light a match once Michele has gone to sleep. Luigi goes off and Michele again comes on deck. He tries to evoke Giorgetta’s past love for him by recalling happier days before the death of their infant child a year earlier, but she rejects him.
Alone, Michele expresses his suspicions that she is in love with another man (“Nulla! Silenzio!”). He settles down on the deck and lights his pipe. Seeing the lit match from a distance, Luigi rushes on board believing it is Giorgetta’s signal. Michele grabs him and forces him to confess his love for Giorgetta, then strangles him and conceals the body under his cloak. Giorgetta reappears on deck to apologize to Michele, who throws open his cloak exposing Luigi’s dead body.
CHRISMAN STUDIO ARTIST PROGRAM
Named in recognition of the support of Sarah and Roger Chrisman, the Chrisman Studio Artist Program began in 2007 with the purpose of identifying and developing talented young opera performers. For more than a decade, the program has provided singers, as well as coaches, with high-level performance opportunities and valuable training. These performers work with top industry directors, conductors, and coaches in masterclasses, coachings, and public performances including cover and mainstage role assignments. Studio Artists Alumni are in high demand and have performed at companies around the US including the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera, the Santa Fe Opera, and abroad with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro Regio, Opernhaus Zürich, Bregenzer Festspiele, Hong Kong Opera, and the Aix-en-Provence Festival.
2021/2022 CHRISMAN STUDIO ARTISTS
Join us in welcoming our 12 artists in our newly expanded Chrisman Studio Artist Program, featuring all California based artists.
ARTISTS
KOSTIS PROTOPAPAS Conductor
Kostis Protopapas was named General Director of Opera Santa Barbara in December 2017, after two-and-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 a team of enthusiastic overachievers with a passion for innovation and the desire to strengthen the company’s bond with the community, who consistently deliver programs and communications far greater than what can be expected from the size of the company.
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 Robert Ward’s The Crucible, which the Santa Barbara Independent called “one of the season’s most exciting performances of any kind in Santa Barbara”.
During Kostis’ tenure Opera Santa Barbara saw the creation of the Santa Barbara Youth Opera, a program providing educational and performance opportunities for school-age children; the expansion of the company’s Chrisman Studio program which this season includes twelve artists from California; and an impressive growth in the company’s community engagement and educational activities throughout the Central Coast.
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”.
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 downtown restaurants, the Funk Zone’s tasting rooms, and sailing on the Santa Barbara Channel.
Omar Rodriguez Baritone
Matthew Peterson Baritone
Adam Lowe Tenor
Norman Espnioza Bass
Lindsay Patterson Abdou Mezzo-Soprano
Raphaella Medina Mezzo-Soprano
Cambria Metzinger Mezzo-Soprano
Christina Ramsey Mezzo-Soprano
Erin Alford Mezzo-Soprano
Sunwoo Park Soprano
Marlaina Owens Soprano
Jessica Gonzalez-Rodriguez Mezzo-Soprano
ARTISTS
LAYNA CHIANAKAS
Stage Director
LAST AT OSB: Stage Director for OSB’s Young Artist Showcase, At the Statue of Venus by Jake Heggie, 2021
UPCOMING: Emilia, Otello, Livermore Valley Opera, 2022; Marcellina, Le nozze di Figaro, Intermountain Opera, 2022; Vivace Youth Chorus Summer Opera Workshop, Production TB, 2022
LIVES IN: San Jose, CA
In a career that has spanned three decades, Stage Director, Mezzo-Soprano, and Voice Teacher, Layna Chianakas has portrayed over 50 leading opera roles across the United States, including over 80 performances of Carmen. Most recently, she was heard with Intermountain Opera, in the role Mme. Larina in Eugene Onegin and with Livermore Valley Opera as Filipyevna in Eugene Onegin. She returns to both companies this spring as Emilia in Verdi’s Otello, and Marcellina in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro
As an award-winning opera Stage Director, her most recent win was the 2021 American Prize for Opera Production for Livermore Valley Opera’s doublebill of Zemlinsky’s A Florentine Tragedy and Pucinni’s Gianni Schicchi and the National Opera Association third prize for Postcard from Morocco for the San José State Opera Theater. For Opera San José, she directed La Voix humaine, Hansel & Gretel, Carmen and Il barbiere di Siviglia. Other directing credits include, Le nozze di Figaro, Cavalli’s L’Ormindo, Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortileges, Die Fledermaus, Orpheus in the Underworld, as well as a fully-staged version of Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Rachel J. Peter’s Rootabaga Country marked her third production as the Stage Director for the Vivace Youth Chorus Summer Opera Workshop, which saw her productions of Menotti’s Chip and His Dog, and Krasa’s Brundibar. Opera Santa Barbara presented her Summer Youth Opera production of Ben Moore’s Odyssey, Jake Heggie’s At the Statue of Venus for Soprano Young Artist, Brooklyn Snow, and she returns again this October to stage their double-bill of Falla’s El amor brujo (with choreographer, Cecily MacDougall) and Puccini’s Il Tabarro
In addition to a thriving private voice studio, Ms. Chianakas is Vocal Director of Musical Theater for Valley Christian High School Conservatory in San Jose, CA, where her credits include, Hello, Dolly!, Mary Poppins, Godspell, Found: A Musical Revue, and The Addams Family
She lives in San Jose, CA with her husband, and two children; her greatest productions.
SPONSOR & HOST: Sandy & Bob Urquhart
ARTISTS
NINA YOSHIDA NELSEN
La Frugola (Il tabarro) /Mezzo Soloist (El amor brujo)
LAST AT OSB: Das Rheingold, 2021
UPCOMING: Queen Sophine, Becoming Santa Claus, Chicago Opera Theatre; Mama, An American Dream, Kentucky Opera
LIVES IN: Bloomington, IN
Hailed as a “powerhouse”, “achingly poignant” and “heartfelt and gripping”, in the 2021-2022 season Nina Yoshida Nelsen makes her Boston Lyric Opera debut as Mama Lucia in Cavalleria Rusticana. She also makes her Bard Opera debut singing Mother Chen in Huang Ruo’s An American Soldier, with performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center. She then returns to Opera Santa Barbara for a double bill of El Amor Brujo and Frugola in Il Tabarro. Nina makes her Chicago Opera Theater debut singing Queen Sophine in Mark Adamo’s Becoming Santa Claus. In the spring, she sings Mama in Jack Perla’s An American Dream at Kentucky Opera and the Alto Solo in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Rhode Island Philharmonic.
In the 2019-2020 season, Nina made her Portland Opera debut as Suzuki in Madama Butterfly. She also performed the world premiere of Blood Moon at Prototype Festival in New York City. Nina returned to Chicago Lyric Opera to cover Suzuki in Madama Butterfly and was scheduled to return to the Santa Barbara Symphony to perform Beethoven’s Mass in C and reprise the role of Khanh in Huang Ruo’s opera Bound at The Juilliard School. All scheduled performances were canceled due to Covid.
Nina made her Lyric Opera Chicago debut in 2019 as Mama in Jack Perla’s An American Dream.
In previous seasons, Nina has sung over 150 performances of Suzuki in Madama Butterfly with opera companies such as Portland, New York City, Chicago, Manitoba, Utah, Atlanta, Sarasota, and Santa Barbara.
A native of Santa Barbara, Nina now resides with her husband Jeff and their two sons Rhys (11) and Blair (5) in Bloomington, Indiana.
SPONSOR: Farrokh and Sally Nazerian HOST: Janice Blair Yoshida
ARTISTS
AHNA LIPCHIK
Candelas (El amor brujo)
OSB DEBUT
UPCOMING: Candelas, El Amor Brujo, State Street Ballet
LIVES IN: Santa Barbara, CA
Ahna Lipchik, from Milwaukee, WI, trained at the Milwaukee Ballet School and attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She has performed the principal roles in ballets by Ethan Stiefel, Sir Frederick Ashton, and George Balanchine, as well as in collaborations at UNCSA with the School of Dance, the School of Music, and the School of Film. Ahna has performed with San Diego Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Lake Arts Project, and in the World Ballet Competition Gala before joining State Street Ballet in 2018. Since joining SSB, she has performed the leading role in Chaplin, as well as soloist roles in works by Kassandra Taylor Newberry, Robert Sund, and Autumn Eckman.
TANNER BLEE
Carmelo (El amor brujo)
OSB DEBUT
UPCOMING: Carmelo, El Amor Brujo, State Street Ballet
LIVES IN: Santa Barbara, CA
Tanner Blee, from Grand Junction, CO, started his training with Absolute Dance. He received additional dance training at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, and has danced with Orlando Ballet II and Nashville Ballet II. Tanner has performed as Bluebird and Prince Florimund in The Sleeping Beauty, as Conrad in Le Corsaire, as the Lead Male in Raymonda, and as James in La Sylphide. He joined State Street Ballet in 2018.
DEISE MENDONÇA
Lucia (El amor brujo)
OSB DEBUT
UPCOMING: Lucia, El Amor Brujo, State Street Ballet
LIVES IN: Santa Barbara, CA
Deise Mendonça, from Brazil, was a Principal Dancer with The Bolshoi Company in Brazil, and performed with Teatro Alla Scala in Milan, Ballet Municipal of Rio de Janeiro, and Ballet de Santiago in Chile. Deise joined State Street Ballet in 2013, and has performed the Principal roles The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Alice in Wonderland. Deise was a semi-finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2014, and has been a principal guest artist in the US and abroad,
ARTISTS
including an invitation in 2020 to perform principal roles with Ballet Nacional del Sodre in Uruguay. Deise is accomplished in classical ballet, neoclassical, contemporary and Latin styles.
RYAN LENKEY
Spectre (El amor brujo)
OSB DEBUT
UPCOMING: Spectre, El Amor Brujo, State Street Ballet
LIVES IN: Santa Barbara, CA
Ryan Lenkey is from Wheeling, WV, and started his dance training at Oglebay Institute. He continued his training at Pittsburgh Youth Ballet and Next Generation Ballet, attending summer programs at Boston Ballet, Ballet West, Manhattan Youth Ballet, the Rock School for Dance, and The School of American Ballet. Ryan was a trainee with Boston Ballet and Ballet West before joining Ballet West II, where he danced for two seasons. He joined State Street Ballet in 2021.
TODD THOMAS
Michele (Il tabarro)
LAST AT OSB: 25th Anniversary Gala, 2019
LIVES IN: Philadelphia, PA
Recognized by opera companies and critics alike as one of the true Verdi baritones gracing stages today, Todd Thomas continues his tenure as one of America’s most sought-after artists. In the title role of Macbeth, Opera News depicted his performance as “warm and centered in his tone with subtle phrasing that emphasized the introspective, almost poetic quality of the tormented king.” At Lyric Opera of Chicago’s season opening performance of Verdi’s Otello, Mr. Thomas heroically stepped in for an indisposed colleague at the top of the second act. The thrilling performance at The Lyric “earned him deservedly the largest ovation at the end of the night from the glittery opening night audience.” (The Chicago Classical)
Last season he was able to perform Rigoletto for Tulsa Opera’s outdoor baseball stadium production as well as for Shreveport Opera’s production, Viva Verdi! for Gulf Shore Opera, and a series of both live and virtual recitals. Upcoming engagements include the title role in Rigoletto with Florentine Opera and Florida Grand Opera, Michele in Tabarro for Opera Santa Barbara, Howie in Champion for Boston Lyric Opera, and a return to Theater Erfurt as the title role in Nabucco
Previous engagements include Michele/Schicchi in Il Trittico with Pacific Opera Victoria, his Opera Shanghai début as the title role in Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer, Tonio/Alfio in I Pagliacci/Cavalleria Rusticana for Opera Omaha,
the title role of Gianni Schicchi with Opera Memphis, and Scarpia in Tosca with New Jersey Festival Orchestra.
”Meers’s confidence, ringing tenor and rakish charm, during his relatively brief roles in Tabarro and as Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, left one wanting more.” -Opera News
Since his professional debut with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Harold Meers has established himself as one of the outstanding American tenors performing internationally today. Known for his ardent portrayals of the Italian and French Romantic repertoire, he has garnered critical and popular praise for performances at the most important venues in North America including engagements with the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Minnesota Opera, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Boston Lyric Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Omaha, Nashville Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, New Orleans Opera, Sarasota Opera, Baltimore Opera, Cleveland Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Madison Opera and Virginia Opera. Internationally he has appeared at Opera North (UK), Hessisches Theater Wiesbaden, Theater Freiburg, the National Theater Brno Czech Republic and at the historic Teatro Degollado with the Filharmonica de Jaslico in Guadalajara, Mexico. Meers is also the Founder/Executive Artistic Director of Charleston Opera Theater in Charleston, South Carolina.
HOST: Christine & Michael Holland
ALAYSHA FOX
Giorgetta (Il tabarro)
OSB DEBUT
UPCOMING: Soloist, Christmas Gala, LA Symphony Orchestra; Soloist, Gala, New West Symphony
LIVES IN: Los Angeles, California
Soprano Alaysha Fox is an emerging artist based in Los Angeles. Currently Ms. Fox is a member of LA Opera’s Domingo Colburn Stein young artist program where she
ARTISTS
was recently seen as Dorothee in Joseph Bologne’s The Anonymous Lover. This summer, Ms. Fox joined Santa Fe Opera’s Apprentice program where she sang the role of Bridesmaid in Le Nozze di Figaro. Last season, Ms. Fox sang the role of Erstes Mädchen in Mörder, Hoffnung der Frauen with the LA Philharmonic. Some previous credits include: Kathleen Battle’s Underground Railroad recital, First Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Lady Macbeth (Macbeth, Bloch), Female Chorus (The Rape of Lucretia), Penelope (Penelope), and featured artist in Lee Mingwei’s exhibit: Sonic Blossom with MetLiveArts.
Ms. Fox has been honored with several awards including: Grand finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Finalist in HGO’s concert of arias, first place winner of the Joan Taub Ades Vocal competition, semi-finalist in the Elizabeth Connell dramatic soprano competition, and the Lotte Lenya emerging artist award.
An alumna of the Santa Fe Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Opera Saratoga young artist programs; Ms. Fox holds Bachelor and Master degrees from the Manhattan School of Music.
HOST: Marilyn & Dick Mazess
BENJAMIN BRECHER
Tinca (Il tabarro)
LAST AT OSB: Goro, Madama Butterfly, 2019
UPCOMING: Recital tour of Britten, Berlioz, Gibson; Count Almaviva, Barber of Seville, Buffalo; Recording on MSR Classics
LIVES IN: Santa Barbara, CA
Tenor, Benjamin Brecher has performed over fifty operatic roles with many of the world’s most prestigious opera companies, specializing in the high lying lyric tenor repertoire. He has performed 16 roles with New York City Opera alone. Career highlights include performances with Opera Orchestra of New York, L’Opera de Nice, Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, L’Opera de Montreal, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, among many others. In 2000 he began performing the great Irish Tenor songs in a concert produced for him entitled, A Celtic Celebration. Eighteen years later, the show has become a North American hit with performances with 45 Symphonies. Ben continues his discography having added his twelfth recording in 2016 Forgotten Liszt, with pianist Robert Koenig, and will record a new release entitled “Three Centuries of Thomas Moore” including the music of Britten, Berlioz, and Sarah Gibson in 2022. He is a Professor of Voice at University of California Santa Barbara.
SPONSOR: Dr. Peter Morris
ARTISTS
BEN LOWE
Talpa (Il tabarro)
OSB DEBUT
LIVES IN: Los Angeles, CA
Ben Lowe, (Baritone) heralded for his “stentorian voice” by Singerpreneur, is quickly becoming a household name in the opera world in Southern California and abroad. A highly sought-after operatic performer and concert soloist, Lowe made his European concert debut this season in Siena and Florence, Italy as the Bass soloist in the Verdi Requiem with Unione Corale Senese “Ettore Bastianini”. Last season Mr. Lowe participated in a workshop of a new, one-act opera for LA Opera. Mr. Lowe made his New York debut in 2017 performing in the east coast premiere of Matt Aucoin’s opera Crossing. In 2019, Mr. Lowe joined OperaDelaware as a Young Artist for their Festival Season, performing leading roles in Dead Man Walking and Trial by Jury. Past achievements include being a finalist in both the Palm Springs Opera Guild and The Loren L. Zachary Society competitions, and winner of the 2016 Marilyn Horne Song Competition. Mr. Lowe studies under Maestro Vladimir Chernov and is a graduate of Cal State Dominguez Hills and UCLA. Mr. Lowe is represented by Pinnacle Arts Management. Please visit BenLoweBaritone.com
HOST: Lori K. Meschler
CHRISTIAN SANDERS
Songseller (Il tabarro)
OSB DEBUT
UPCOMING: Wilber, Finding Wright, Dayton Opera; Orpheus, Orpheus In The Underworld, Madison Opera LIVES IN: San Diego, CA
Christian Sanders’ busy 2021-2022 brings several significant engagements in both new opera and standard repertory. He makes his company debut with Opera Santa Barbara singing The Song Seller in Il tabarro, debuts the role of Wilber in the world premiere of Finding Wright with Dayton Opera, appears as the title role in Orpheus in the Underworld with Madison Opera, and returns to Des Moines Metro Opera for a workshop of A Thousand Acres. The 2020-21 season featured his role debut as Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd and Timothy in Fellow Travelers with Des Moines Metro Opera, as well as performances as Lloyd the Bartender in The Shining with Minnesota Opera (cancelled due to COVID-19). Notable past engagements for Mr. Sanders include Bégearss in The Ghosts of Versailles with The Glimmerglass Festival/ Château de Versailles Spectacles in France, Bill in Jonathan Dove’s Flight with Minnesota Opera, and Jonathan Dale in the original production of Kevin Puts’ Silent Night which was recorded by Pentaton. On the concert stage, Mr. Sanders has been the tenor soloist in
ARTISTS
Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Magnificat, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Bruckner’s Te Deum with the Point Loma Choral Union. He recently joined the Rice Chorale at Rice University in Houston for Schubert’s Mass No. 2 and Orff’s Carmina burana. He has also appeared as a guest soloist with the San Diego Mormon Choir and Orchestra and as the tenor soloist in Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the San Diego Festival Chorus in a live televised concert.
HOST: Alejandra Folguera
STEVEN C, KEMP Scenic Design
LAST AT OSB: The Crucible, 2019
UPCOMING: Becoming Santa Claus, Chicago Opera Theater; La Boheme, New Orleans Opera; The Daughter of the Regiment, Sarasota Opera LIVES IN: Kansas City, MO
Steven C. Kemp debuted at Opera Santa Barbara in 2013 with his design for Falstaff which was a finalist for the World Stage Design 2017 Exhibition in Taiwan. His additional designs for OSB include Rigoletto, A Streetcar Named Desire, Eugene Onegin and The Crucible. His 87designs for opera have been presented at 30 companies including LA Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Florida Grand Opera, The Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Arizona Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Central City Opera, Sarasota Opera, New Orleans Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Opera Omaha, Kentucky Opera, Tulsa Opera, Opera Grand Rapids, Merola Opera, Indiana University, The Curtis Institute of Music and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His 21 designs for Opera San Jose include the West Coast Premieres of Anna Karenina and Silent Night as well as the acclaimed productions Idomeneo and Alma Deutscher Cinderella presented by the Packard Humanities Institute. He has designed over 50 productions in NYC including the Off-Broadway revivals of Tick, Tick...Boom! and Ordinary Days as well as numerous productions for regional theatres, cruise ships and international tours such as the current Baby Shark Live!. Early in his career he worked extensively as an Associate Designer including designs for 10 Broadway productions, Disney Theatricals, Holland America Line, Dallas Opera, Minnesota Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and The Metropolitan Opera. Mr. Kemp received his MFA from UC San Diego.
ARTISTS
HELENA KUUKKA
Lighting Design
LAST AT OSB: Eugene Onegin, 2019
UPCOMING: The Jungle Book, Orlando Ballet; Semele, Opera Santa Barbara; Kinky Boots and Matilda, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma; Dracula, Ballet Memphis.
LIVES IN: Orlando, FL
A native of Helsinki, Finland, Helena Kuukka now resides in Orlando, Florida. Helena’s Opera Santa Barbara debut was Barber of Seville in 2018, followed by Eugene Onegin in 2019. Other favorite opera designs include The Marriage of Figaro and Eugene Onegin (Florida Grand Opera), Aida (Vancouver Opera, Portland Opera), Samson and Delilah and La Boheme (Tulsa Opera), La Traviata and The Merry Widow (Kansas City Lyric Opera), and Rockland (Pine Mountain Music Festival). Her dance designs include Carmen, Giselle, Vampire’s Ball and Firebird for Orlando Ballet as well as Swan Lake, The Little Mermaid, and several contemporary works for Ballet Memphis. Helena is also a frequent designer at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma where her credits include productions of Titanic, Oklahoma, Dreamgirls, Ragtime, Hello Dolly, Newsies, Mamma Mia and the world premiere of When We’re Gone. Upcoming projects include The Jungle Book for Orlando Ballet, Semele for Opera Santa Barbara, Kinky Boots and Matilda for Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and Dracula for Ballet Memphis.
HOST: George & Marlene Riemer
CECILY MACDOUGALL
Choreographer (El amor brujo)
OSB DEBUT
UPCOMING: Choreographer, El Amor Brujo, State Street Ballet
LIVES IN: Santa Barbara, CA
Cecily MacDougall is from Santa Barbara, CA. Cecily serves as the Associate Executive Director for State Street Ballet and is also the Founder and Director of Library Dances. She danced professionally with New York Theatre Ballet, Allegro Theatre Company, Richmond Ballet, Artbark International, and State Street Ballet. Cecily has choreographed numerous pieces for State Street Ballet. She received the Indy Award for Anne’s Window in 2015, and in 2020 earned the Apogee Award for her successful arts outreach initiatives. Cecily graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Performing Arts from St. Mary’s College and is an ABT Certified Teacher. Cecily is thrilled to be collaborating with Opera Santa Barbara for the first time.
ARTISTS
TIMOTHY ACCURSO
Principal Pianist
UPCOMING: OSB 21/22 SEASON
LIVES IN: Santa Barbara, CA
Timothy Accurso is the Principal Pianist and Music Administrator for Opera Santa Barbara and joined Team OSB in 2018. Tim has been on music staff with Palm Beach Opera, Opera Saratoga, and the Seagle Music Colony. This season Tim will rejoin the music staff at Utah Opera in the spring for their production of Pirates of Penzance. Originally from Glen Lyon, Pennsylvania, he completed his undergraduate studies at Susquehanna University in vocal and piano performance, and went on to receive a Master’s of Music in vocal coaching and accompanying from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he studied with Dr. Julie Jordan Gunn. Following his studies, Tim became a resident artist with Utah Opera as well as a young artist with Opera Saratoga. Tim spends his time coaching the Chrisman Studio artists, engaging in the education initiatives of Opera Santa Barbara, playing mainstage rehearsals, and performing throughout the community in recitals and events with the company. In addition to the vibrant arts scene, Tim loves Santa Barbara for its beautiful weather, vast wine industry, and stunning views.
KENDRA GREEN
Production Stage Manager
LAST AT OSB: Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, 2021
UPCOMING: Il Tabarro/El Amor Brujo, OSB, 2021
LIVES IN: San Jose, CA
Kendra Green is delighted to take on the role of PSM with Opera Santa Barbara this season. Recent credits include La scala di seta (SM) with Opera Southwest; Il signor Bruschino (SM), La Wally (ASM), and Roméo et Juliette (ASM) with Sarasota Opera; and Hansel and Gretel (ASM) with Palm Beach Opera. This is Kendra’s fourth show with Opera Santa Barbara, having previously served as Production Stage Manager for Cruzar la Cara de la Luna and ASM for Madama Butterfly and La bohème
HOST: Colleen Kelly
ARTISTS
EMILY BARBER
Assistant Stage Manager
OSB
DEBUT
UPCOMING: Production Stage Manager, Die Walküre Act 1, New Orleans Opera Association; Production Stage Manager, La boheme, New Orleans Opera Association; Production Stage Manager, Rigoletto, Opera San Antonio
LIVES IN: New Orleans, Louisiana
Emily Barber, assistant stage manager, hails from New Orleans, Louisiana. Along with regularly freelancing across the United States, she is also the Production Stage Manager for the New Orleans Opera Association. Her professional credits include: Bizet’s Carmen, Tchaikovsky’s Maid of Orleans, Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio, Puccini’s Turandot, Piazolla’s Maria de Buenos Aires, Terrence Blanchard’s Champion (New Orleans Opera Association); Wang’s Scalia/Ginsburg, Corigliano’s Ghosts of Versailles, Rossini’s Barber of Seville, Bernstein’s Candide (Chautauqua Opera); Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, Wasserman’s Man of La Mancha, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Shreveport Opera); Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Puccini’s Tosca (Opera San Antonio); Rossini’s Cenerentola (Nashville Opera); Verdi’s Il trovatore (Pensacola Opera). Upcoming productions include Wagner’s Die Walküre Act 1 & Puccini’s La boheme with New Orleans Opera Association as well as Verdi’s Rigoletto with Opera San Antonio.
HOST: Katherine Denlinger
HEATHER STERLING MORSE Hair & Makeup Design
LAST AT OSB: Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, 2021
UPCOMING: OSB 21/22 Season
LIVES IN: San Jose, CA
Heather Sterling has been designing and implementing wig and makeup looks for theater for the past 18 years. Pulling inspiration from history, nature, psychology and fashion creates the foundation for her designs. From the glamorous 18th century profiles of Manon to the magical creatures of Cunning Little Vixen makes designing for opera incredibly enjoyable. Recent wig and makeup designs with Opera Santa Barbara include Barber of Seville, The Crucible, Il Postino, Eugene Onegin and La Boheme
Heather also shares her time with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as a Wig and Makeup Designer as well as a workshop educator in the craft of theatrical hair and makeup. Most recently, she worked with SFCM on a filmed version of Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II and and an in-theater production of Joseph Bologne’s L’Amant-Anonyme. When Heather is not in the theater, she is the Assistant Director at Studio 10 Dance, enjoys dim sum with her family and spends too much time taking care of their cat.
ARTISTS
STACIE LOGUE
Costume Designer
LAST AT OSB: Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, 2021
UPCOMING: OSB 21/22 Season
LIVES IN: Ventura, CA
Ms. Logue’s tenure with Opera Santa Barbara began with the 2004 production of Faust. Throughout the years, Ms. Logue has worked on OSB productions of classics such as Rigoletto, The Elixir of Love, Carmen, and La Bohème. During this time, she worked as costume coordinator, design assistant & stitcher. In 2013 Ms. Logue designed costumes for Don Pasquale and became the lead costumer for OSB. In 2017 Ms. Logue was promoted to Costume Manager. She continued work as coordinator and designer on productions including Trouble in Tahiti/Gallantry, Dr. Miracle, Il Postino, The Tragedy of Carmen, Don Pasquale, and Das Rheingold. She will be designing & coordinating all productions during the 21/22 season. Since 2016 Ms. Logue has also worked as costume shop manager for the Central City Opera during their renowned summer festival. Prior credits include work at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival in Thousand Oaks, the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood, and The Wallis Theater in Beverly Hills. Ms. Logue is thrilled to begin work on Opera Santa Barbara’s 21/22 season. Her home is with OSB, and she is very grateful for all of the opportunities they have offered her.
T. THERESA SCARANO
Props Master
LAST AT OSB: Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, 2021
UPCOMING: OSB 21/22 Season
LIVES IN: Riverside, CA
Teresa’s multi-faceted career of 25 years spans theatre and dance in varying capacities including technical direction, prop design, and set design and construction. Theresa has been Stage Manager for California Ballet, Kairos Dancers, and Dancing Images Dance Company. She served as both Scenery Warehouse Manager and Prop Master at San Bernardino Civic Light Opera and was Rental Manager of Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera (later The Set Company), where she was Director of Operations. Theresa wrote and directed adolescents in various performances, including those for Juvenile Court Judges in Riverside County. Her work includes prop design and set dressing for Theatre 150, Cabrillo Music Theatre, Ensemble Theatre Company, CLO of South Bay Cities, the Welk Resort, Music Academy of the West, Universal Studios, Phoenix Rising Productions, Kingsmen Shakespeare Company and Rubicon Theatre Company where she is Resident Prop Designer.
Reicker Pfau congratulates Opera Santa Barbara on returning to the Lobero Theatre with El amor brujo & Il tabarro
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
AFICIONADO
($500-$1,499)
Anonymous
Susan Anderson
Margaret Arvey
Mary Baiamonte
Henry and Gwen Baker
Peter Bonner
Patricia Carver
Channel Islands Yacht Club
Casa Dorinda
Dr. Bonnie Corman
Jim Craviotto
Jon and Melody DuPrau
Steve Epstein
Bill and Ellie Freudenstein
James and Erin Graffy de Garcia
Dick Graham
Michael and Elaine Gray
Gary and Susan Gulbransen
Pamela Gunther
Barbara Hirsch
James Hurst
Kent and Holly Jennings
Sally Kinney
OPERATION EURYDICE
Healing Community & Supporting Musicians
During Covid Opera SB began a new initiative to financially support area musicians and help local venues permitted to host live music. To date, over 40 individual performers and groups have benefited from Operation Eurydice payments and thousands of Santa Barbara residents and visitors have experienced the comfort of live music when we needed it most
We extend a heartfelt thanks to the John C. Mithun Foundation, our community partners and donors to OSB’s Performing Artists Fund for helping us keep music playing with more than 66 events featured at Roar & Pour, Balcony Jam Sessions and Opera SB Night Out.
Dylan Vrana
Kathleen Weber
Edward & Kathy Wetzel
John Whitehurst
Frank and Parmele Williams
Music Academy of the West
Robert Miller and The Miller Family Fund
The Hutton Parker Foundation
SUSTAINER
($250-$499)
Pat Andersons
Julie Antelman & William Ure
Miguel Avila
James Benham
Mr. & Mrs. Ed Bookin
Julia Delgado, M.D.
Helen Dorra
Sharon & John Dobson
Helen Dorra
Mr. & Mrs. David Gersh
Daniel Gira
James Kashian & Thomas Proctor
Bruce Klores
Karen Knight
Chris Lancashire & Catherine Gee
James & Elinor Langer
Angelo & Janine Mendez
Lori Kraft Meschler
Miller Family Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Montgomery
Rosemary & Nicholas Mutton
Robert and Patti Reid
Ms. Laura Rockwell
Rick and Regina Roney
Irene & Mel Sahyun
Nancy B. Schlosser
Jill & Scott Seltzer
Seniel Ostrow Foundation
Steven and Jackie Sereboff
Charles and Diane Sheldon
Halina W. Silverman
Drs. Michael and Beverly Steinfeld
Marylove Thralls and Michael Hackett
Mrs. Jeanne Ullom
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Van Buren
Takako Wakita
Sharon Landecker
David and Elise McKee
Martin G. McKenzie
Bart Mendel
Olio e Limone Ristorante & Olio Pizzeria
Mary Orcutt
Mr. & Mrs. Warren Paap
Priscilla Peale
Steve Perren
Caren Rager
Scott Reed
Robert N. Ridenour
Mr. & Mrs. Albert Santorelli
Mr. Steven R. Siegel & Ms. Joan Tapper
Eileen Singer
Carol Spence
Robert and Irene Stone
Arthuyr Swalley
Martin Tanner
Ms. Karen Taylor
Rachel Tierney
Alex and Lori Weathers
Debra Wyatt
Mr. Gary Yencich
CONTRIBUTOR
($100-$249)
Dr. Michele Andina
Dr. and Mrs. Carlos Barraza
Katrina Baxter
Jennifer Bensinger
Celia Book
Jesse Bowman
Morganfield Burnett performs during Balcony Jam Session
ZACH MENDEZ PHOTO
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
Dr. Stuart Braverman & Angela Moloney
Jehanne Brown
M. Peyton & Suzanne D. Bucy
John Buster
Mr. & Mrs. John Carter
Dr. and Mrs. David Chernof
Dr. Mary Collier
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph H. Connell
Patricia Coppejans
Mr. Gerald Corrigan
Edward S. De Loreto
Lila Deeds
Charles Donelan
Marilyn Dove
Adrienne Edmonston
Thomas & Doris Everhart
Christie Falk
Dr. & Mrs. Heinrich R. Falk
Mr. Peter Favero
Monique Fierro
Drs. Peter C. Ford and Mary Howe-Grant
Jonathan Fox
Mary Furner
Mary & Blas Garza
Mrs. Helen Y. Goode
Alan Gould
Ms. Cassandra Grant
Kendra Green
Mr. Werner Harder III
Douglas Heithoff
Katharine A. Hicks
Ms. Carolyn Holmquist
Brian Hotchkin
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Hume
Elizabeth Hurley
Sherry Hutson
Mr. & Mrs. David Hybert
Betty Iliff
Karin Jacobson
Mr. & Mrs. John Jamieson
Lois Kaplan
Dr. Ronald Karzel
Karl & Patty Kassity
Susan Keller & Myron Shapero
Ms. Lynette Klawon
Nick and Voula Konidaris
Sherry & Don Lafler
Anita Lampert
Julia Land
Mr. & Mrs. Fima Lifshitz
Alexia Loehde
Mr. & Mrs. Russ Lombardo
Doug & Martha Lorch
Gail Lucas
Mr. & Mrs. John Lynn
MacFarlane, Faletti & Co., LLP
Jack Martin
Kathryn R. Martin
Mr. & Mrs. Richard M. Martin
Kimi J. Matar
Edward E. McCombs
Hugh & Christina McGuire
Donovan McKelvey
Gregory McMurray
Peggy Merizalde
Elaine Messier
Lyndon Meyer
Marilyn Miravete-Smith
Heather Mobarak
Mr. Nathan
Jean Nell*
Joanne Hendry Neubauer
Donley and Valerie Olson
Pauline Paulin
Jeff & Sylvia Payne
Virginia Peterson
Marla Pleyte & Ryan Oprea
Judy Pochini
Dorothy M. Rainsberger
Raymond Riezman
Dr. Daniel Rimkus
Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Ronus
Dr. Sonia Rosenbaum
Madison Rost
Dr. Paula Rudolph
Mrs. Angela Ryan
Stephen Schwartz
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Shasberger
Mr. & Mrs. Alan Smith
Ann Steinmetz
Debra Stewart
Elvira Tafoya
Drs. Jack Tiethof and Anita Sy
Javier Trujillo
Jace Turner
Thomas Tunberg
Barbara Wagner
Paul & Jeanne Wayland
Gary Woodward
Jana Young
Carmen Young
Jana Young
Ze’ev Zalk
FRIEND
(ANNUAL GIFTS UNDER $100)
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Adams
Robert F. Adams & Nancy Caponi
Hillary Allen
Mr. & Mrs. J. Theodore Anagnoson
Joanne Ando
Rodney Baker & Robert Ooley
John Biggs
Linda Botts
Mr. C.F. Buetow
Tanner Cassidy
Veronique Chevalier
Ms. Claire Chytilo
Nichol Clark
PATRONS OF THE OPERA
Andrea Colon
Lance Crawford
Patricia Davis
Danielle De Smeth
Ms. Shirley Dettmann
William Dickman
Suzanne Duffy
Ms. Barbara Fish
Phyllis Flescher
Betty Fussell
Brian and Jana Galura
Sally T. Gerhart
Steven Gilbar
Annette Goena
Marie Golda
Jerry Gothe
Mr. & Mrs. Owen Guitteau
Joan Hazell
Noah Himmelstein
Christine Hollinger
Susan Horne
Danielle Howard
Eliot Jacobson
Ms. Colleen M. Kelly
Patricia Kinnahan
Karen Kolehmainen
Letty Ward Lauffer
Leana Lelevier-Joseph
Ms. Jennifer Lindsay
Stacie Logue
Mr. & Mrs. Irving Margol
Anne Maxwell
Maureen McFadden
Michaela McGinnis
Mr. & Mrs. Art McKinster
*Deceased
Frank Migliazza
Brita Millard
Ms. Ann Millican
Mandana Mir
Anne Mitzenmacher
Judith Muller
Mr. & Mrs. Doug Murray
Anaiya Mussolini
Ms. Nancy Nielsen
Ronan O’Brien
Dorothy Olevski
Janwin Overstreet-Goode
Marjorie Pressly
Mr & Mrs. Angelo Pulos
Mr. Kent Quinn
Kathleen Rees
Susan Renfrew
Amy Robertson
Courtney Ruckman
Amanda Ryvkin
Florence Sanchez
Mary Lou Schmidt
Michael Skelly
Nancy Smith
Ms. Linda Stafford Burrows
Dr. & Mrs. Richard Steckel
Ken Steiner
Maxyne Strunin
Guy Vespoint
Anne Weber
Amy Wilkins
Leah Young
Judith Zaretzka
Peter Zimmer
Listings reflect cumulative donations from July 1, 2020 - October 1, 2021. Kindly notify the Opera office of any errors or omissions.
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
CRUZAR HOUSING DONORS
Ed Bookin
Kathy Denlinger
Alejandra Folguera
Betsy Gallery
Marilyn Gilbert
Christine & Michael Holland
Colleen Kelly
Paseo Nuevo
Peter Horjus
The Lobero Theatre Noozhawk
Marilyn & Dick Mazess
Lori K. Meschler
Robert Ramey
Marlene & George Riemer
Secret Garden Inn & Cottages
Beverly & Michael Steinfeld
Sandy & Bob Urquhart
SPECIAL THANKS
Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation
State Street Ballet
The University Club of Santa Barbara
2021-2022
OCTOBER
PERCUSSION XTRAVAGANZA
NOVEMBER
MARILYN HORNE SONG COMPETITION WINNERS RECITAL
DECEMBER
WOMEN’S AUXILIARY AUCTION AND COMMUNITY EVENT
JANUARY
ALUMNI ENTERPRISE AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED
FEBRUARY INNOVATION SHOWCASE
MARCH
LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERTS WITH SIR SIMON RATTLE
FEATURING SING! CHILDREN’S CHORUS & KESTON MAX ALL-STARS
APRIL WINNERS RECITAL SERIES
75 TH ANNIVERSARY SUMMER FESTIVAL
JUNE 13 - AUGUST 6 • SANTA BARBARA, CA
Show your support for the arts and expand your marketing reach
Prime ad placements in five (5) programs
New digital ad placement on our OSB mobile app
Complimentary tickets to each opera
Invitations to private events
Social media promotion
Logo on OSB website and supertitles
State Street Ballet at The Granada
The Nutcracker DEC 18 - 19 2021
Sleeping Beauty MAR 5 - 6 2022
At the Gail Towbes Center for Dance
Evenings JAN 21 - 22 2022
At the Lobero, a Gala Performance APR 30 2022
A Quarter Century Celebration statestreetballet.com
RODNEY GUSTAFSON & WILLIAM SOLEAU, ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
