Opera Santa Barbara has announced the renewal of Artistic and General Director Kostis Protopapas’ contract through the 2028-29 season. Protopapas joined Opera Santa Barbara as Artistic Director in August 2015 and assumed his dual role in December 2017. Under his tenure the company has produced two consecutive seasons of sold-out performances. Prior to Santa Barbara, Protopapas served as Artistic Director {…}

Opera Santa Barbara (OBS) will return to the outdoors with its “Opera in the Park” concert on Sunday, June 7, 2026, presented at Godric Grove in Elings Park in Santa Barbara. The free outdoor concert, timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States, will feature music by Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, Jake Heggie, Leonard Bernstein, Victor Herbert, {…}

Opera Santa Barbara (OSB) has appointed Grayson Allred as its new Director of Production, effective July 2026, 2026. Allred joins OSB from the historic Paramount Theatre in Abilene, Texas, where he spent the last four years as Director of Operations & Programming, having previously served seven years at the same institution as Technical Director. “I was drawn to Opera Santa {…}

Opera Santa Barbara has announced the appointment of Judy Dean, MD, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Dean is a retired radiologist with nearly three decades of medical practice in the community. She retired in 2018 and continues to be active in local arts and cultural organizations. “For me opera is timeless stories set to unforgettable music,” said Dean, per {…}